Avila Pavas, Santiago

Santiago Avila Pavas, a 22-year-old Colombian Grandmaster, is rated 2504 — just 18 short of his peak of 2522 (May 2023, age 19) and ranked 2nd among Colombian players, and in the top 1% worldwide. He is progressing steadily with +35 Elo over the past 12 months. 67 rated games in the past year (≈80/year long-term). Recent standard appearances include 2026 President's Cup - National College Chess Championship, 17th Annual Southwest Class Championship - Master, and 2026 Pan-American Intercollegiate Championship. Also played 2 rapid (including Campeonato Nacional por Equipos Preparacion Juegos Nacionales 2027 Rapido Abs) and 3 blitz events (including American Continental Blitz Championship 2025) recently. He reached World #471 in Dec 2025 and has been in Colombian top 3 for 27 months and counting.

Awarded GM in 2023 (age 19), IM in 2019 (age 15), FM in 2015 (age 11), and CM in 2014 (age 10). At junior level, he reached World #20 in U20, World #25 in U18, World #30 in U16, World #40 in U14, World #13 in U12 and World #76 in U10.