Argentinian Journalist Hernan Sartori explained why Faustino Oro chose the Aeroflot Open 2026 for his attempt to achieve the third GM norm. Sartori says that the Faustino family has to control tournament expenses due to the departure of a sponsor, and notes that Oro received a personal invitation to the event.

Hernan Sartori

Hernan Sartori

Argentine Journalist

“Oro’s parents have to calculate the budget very carefully after one of Faustino’s sponsors withdrew their support. Everything costs money. Euros! Especially training sessions with a coach, whose name is kept strictly secret.

But then came the invitation of a dream! Faustino was invited by the organizers of Aeroflot, and his family only needs to pay for the air tickets.”

Faustino is signed with sponsors including the Wasserman Agency, Mercado Libre, MyInvestor, and the Internet Chess Club. No sponsor departure has been publicly confirmed.

12-years-old Argentinian IM Faustino Oro (2516) has one month remaining to achieve his third and final GM norm and break the record for the youngest Grandmaster in history. A successful performance by Faustino at the Aeroflot Open 2026 will set this world record.

Credit: Frans Peeters