So to compete in Corus

Wesley So to compete in Netherlands next month
abs-cbnNEWS.com 12/18/2009 6:35 PM

MANILA, Philippines – Following a magnificent performance in the recent World Chess Cup, young Filipino grandmaster Wesley So will again compete with some of the world renowned players in the 72nd Corus chess tournament this coming January.

The Corus chess tournament, an elite event in the Fide calendar, will be held in Wijk Aan Zee, a North Sea resort in the Netherlands from January 15 to 31, 2010.

So, the reigning Corus Group C champion, will be participating in Group C.

There are three sections in tough Corus chess—A, B and C, according to chess columnist Frank “Boy” Pestano.

“Wesley has been invited to play in Group B. To be invited to Corus is like to be invited to the White House,” he said.

Participants in Corus Group B (all GMs) are Ni Hua of China, Arkadij Naiditsch of Germany; Emil Sutovsky of Israel, Pentala Harikrishna of India, Liviu-Dieter Nisipeanu of Romania, Varuzhan Akobian of the USA, David Howell of England, Parimarjan Negi of India, Tomi Nyback of Finland, Anna Muzychuk of Slovenia, and Erwin l’Ami, Dimitri Reinderman and Anish Giri of the Netherlands.

The 16-year-old So recently posted a fourth-round finish in the World Chess Cup in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia, subduing World No. 12 GM Vassily Ivanchuk of Ukraine in Round 2 and World Chess Cup last year’s titlist GM Gata Kamsky of the US in Round 3.

It is arguably the country’s best showing in World Chess Cup history, surpassing the efforts of his compatriots GMs Rogelio Antonio, Darwin Laylo and Mark Paragua (who competed in the 2005 edition of the tournament).

So gained 15 points in the event. He now has a live ELO rating of 2655.

Breaking the 2700 barrier

The Bacoor, Cavite based chess player earlier said he will be working to break through the 2700 ELO barrier.

“I dream that sooner or later, I will come to the magical point 2700. I don’t know how much time I will need for that,” said So, whose local and international campaign is being supported by NCFP president Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr. and Filway Marketings Inc. CEO/President Hector “Chito” Tagaysay.

GM Eugene Torre, Asia’s first grandmaster, has stated in a local radio program said So has the goods to be among the world’s best.

“The talent and skills are already there and he has proven that. This year could be a test of character and nerves for him because everybody knows him already,” said Torre. — by Marlon Bernardino

as of 12/18/2009 6:35 PM

Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com