The city of Rio de Janeiro had organized many international chess events within a few years before the start of the 7th Panamerican Championship. This is why local chess association were hoping to make best use of their experience and organize the biggest ever Championship with more than 10 teams at the start line. Unfortunately the attendance was more than poor. Only four teams applied of which Cuba were clear favourites with five strong GMs in the squad. Then came Brazil (lead by GM Mecking and GM Lima) and Ecuador with only three men and WGM Martha Fierro Baquero at board #4. Paraguay sent a team of 2200's unable to get in touch with the rest, thus leaving space for three teams fighting for three medals.

Cuba wiped out Paraguay with a clear 4-0 on the very first day while Brazil dropped two fractions vs Paraguay. This was the last day with two matches being played. The rest of the days saw just one match on the way and two other teams resting (this is because Bolivia were seeded and drawn but failed to arrive). On day two Cuba scored another 4-0 vs Paraguay leaving Brazil 5 points behind so that Brazil needed to beat Cuba on penultimate day and smash Ecuador 4-0 the day after in order to win the gold. On day three Ecuador sealed bronze medals defeating Paraguay 3-1. In the decisive match Matsuura of Brazil had excellent winning chances vs Arencibia but lost badly and it was all over; only Mecking managed to win to held Brazil to a draw. In the last match of the Championship Brazil easily took silver medals beating Ecuador 3-1.

There were no surprises in the final standings as Cuba took gold ahead of Brazil, the host nation, still hunting for their first ever Panamerican TCh gold (they've won four silver medals so far). Ecuador made best use of extremely weak competition winning their first ever medal. Walter Arencibia of Cuba was the only man to win all of his three games.