Faustino Oro proves that greatness knows no age

Faustino Oro

“Faustino Oro became the youngest player in history to achieve the international master norm in chess, at 10 years, 8 months and 16 days…”—is not just a prodigy. He is a symbol of Lograr—a Spanish verb that means to achieve.

Born in Argentina and inspired during the confinement of the COVID-19 pandemic, Faustino started playing online chess on Chess.com in 2020. With only basic lessons from his father, Alejandro Oro, and a gentle nudge from his mother, Romina Simondi, his journey began. And like all dreams rooted in love and curiosity, it didn’t take long for them to grow wings.

Initially, Faustino experienced defeats. At age six, his games were marked by uncertainty and low scores. But he didn’t stop. With every loss, he learned; with every move, he grew. And slowly, impossibility bent to perseverance. He began to lograr victories no one expected from a child his age.

Once lockdowns lifted, Faustino transitioned to in-person tournaments under the guidance of top Argentine trainers. By 2022, he became the youngest player ever to surpass the 2,100 Elo rating—a remarkable milestone in the chess world.

“Faustino Oro became the youngest ever to obtain his first international master norm at nine years old,” when he finished second in the ITT Copa Ciudad de Comodoro Rivadavia tournament in Argentina. That performance sparked a life-altering decision: his family left behind executive jobs in Argentina and relocated to Badalona, Spain, to support Faustino’s meteoric rise.

Faustino Oro vs Ian Nepomniachtchi | Brilliance from the Baby GOAT 🐐👶

Nicknamed the “Messi of chess” and the pibe de oro (golden boy), Faustino stunned the chess world in March 2024. In just 48 moves, he defeated Magnus Carlsen, the former world champion from Norway, and also beat the current world number one, Hikaru Nakamura, during the online Bullet Brawl Tournament. These were not flukes; they were the victories of a player with vision, grit, and undeniable genius.

Today, Faustino remains undefeated in 31 consecutive games, a streak only recently broken in April against Ernesto Fernández of Cuba in Menorca. To earn his international master title, he met two demanding requirements: achieving strong performances in three international tournaments and reaching 2400 in Elo ranking—both accomplished at the Barcelona Masters Tournament.

Now, with his international master status secured, Faustino’s sights are set on becoming a grandmaster—the pinnacle of chess excellence. This new journey will require three more norms and a 2500 Elo rating. But based on his history, there’s little doubt he’ll lograr that too.

Faustino Oro is not just a child prodigy—he is a lesson in perseverance, family sacrifice, and belief in one’s potential. Lograr is not just about reaching the summit; it’s about climbing with intent, purpose, and relentless energy. Faustino shows us that no dream is too ambitious if matched with unwavering effort. In his pursuit of excellence, he reminds the world that Lograr is not just a verb. It’s a way of life.

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