GMEmilio Cordova

Emilio Córdova grew up in Lima and learned chess from his father at eight. Family board games provided the setting, and small rewards for winning encouraged him to keep playing. He later described his 2001 Pan-American youth victory, which included a win over Fabiano Caruana, as the moment chess became more than a pastime. His trainers included Georgy Castañeda and Luis Aguilar. FIDE awarded him the international master title in 2005 and the grandmaster title in 2008.

Córdova made his Olympiad debut for Peru in 2004 and became a regular member of the national team. He won the American Continental Championship in 2016. He played first board for Peru at that year's Baku Olympiad. At the 2017 World Cup, he lost to Richárd Rapport in the first round. He shared first place at the 2022 U.S. Masters with seven points from nine games. In interviews, he has described learning through books, a physical board and extensive practical play.