体坛英语资讯：World Rapid Chess champ Ivanchuk to compete in Cuba

HAVANA, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Current World Rapid Chess champion Vassily Ivanchuk will be competing in Cuba's international Capablanca Memorial tournament this summer, it was reported on Friday.

The Ukrainian grandmaster, 48, will look to claim his eighth title at the annual tournament, set to take place in the Caribbean resort of Varadero May 26 to June 6.

Carlos Rivero, Cuba's head of chess, said it will be the ninth time Ivanchuk, ranked number 24 worldwide with 2,732 points, competes at the Capablanca since first participating in 2005.

He won the tournament that year, as well as in 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2024 and 2024.

The Capablanca is considered to be the longest-running chess tournament in the Americas, starting in 1962.

Last year's event drew more than 60 competitors from 21 countries.