Aeroflot Chess: So falters, but compatriots save the day
02/10/2011 07:16 PM
MOSCOW, Russia — Filipino grandmaster Wesley So went on an attacking mode early in the game but faltered and lost to GM Anton Shomoev of Russia in the second round of the Aeroflot Open chess championship at the Hotel Gamma-Delte here Wednesday.
Known for his aggressive and risky moves, So sacrificed a rook for a knight to gain attacking chances on Shomoev’s cramped kingside. The move proved to be costly for the youthful chesser as he over-extended himself and lost in 45 moves of the hyper-modern King’s Indian defense.
The 17-year-old Filipino champion, who played white, resigned in an endgame where he had a bishop, knight and six pawns against Shomoev’s rook, knight and five pawns.
Analysts, including ardent followers of So that are part of what’s called Barangay Wesley, said the Filipino phenom could have chosen to easily draw the match, but instead tried to complicate matters with a premature rook sacrifice on the 27th move and a dubious queen push to a4 two moves later.
Sensing the opportunity, Shomoev (ELO 2557) wisely turned the tables by forcing an exchange of queens on the 32nd move and bringing about an endgame where he had material advantage.
So will try to recover lost ground when he meets International Master Vasily Papin of Russia in the third round Thursday.
Papin, seeded only No. 61 with an ELO rating of 2568, halved the point with GM Boris Savchenko of Russia.
So’s setback was in stark contrast with the results of games featuring Pinoys competing in Group B.
GMs John Paul Gomez trounced Fide Master Azat Sharafiev of Russia, GM Darwin Laylo outclassed IM Nikolai Shukh, and IM Oliver Dimakiling crushed GM Vasif Durabeyli of Azerbaijan to gain a share of the lead with eight others with perfect scores of two points.
Moscow Open runner-up IM Oliver Barbosa outplayed Alexander Demianjuk of Russia while GM-candidate Richard Bitoon drew with IM Kirill Stupak of Belarus to improve to 1.5 points. – KY, RCJ, GMA News
Source: http://www.gmanews.tv
It’s just a small set back.