IMLicael Roderick Ticona Rocabado

Licael Roderick Ticona Rocabado grew up in Tiquipaya near Cochabamba, Bolivia. A computer chess game sparked his interest, and his father taught him the moves at eight. He trained with José A. Flores at the Cochabamba chess school. In 2017 he won national under-nine and under-ten titles.

Ticona went on to win gold medals at South American and Pan-American competitions. FIDE records his international-master title in 2023. That year La Paz's municipal council approved the Emilio Villanueva Peñaranda recognition for his chess achievements. His family financed much of his early development, while later government travel support helped him reach international tournaments.