So’s oversea adventure

Wesley So to compete in big chess tilts abroad
abs-cbnNEWS.com
07/19/2009 12:50 PM

MANILA – Grandmaster (GM) Wesley So, the Filipino chess whiz kid, is set to embark on a series of tournaments abroad.

So, 15, will play in the Zone 3.3 Chess Championships 2009 from July 22 to July 30 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

The Bacoor, Cavite native hopes to qualify for the World Chess Cup (World Chess Championships) in Khanty, Mansiyk, Russia from November 20 to December 15.

Other Filipinos entered in the Zone 3.3 Chess Eliminations are GMs Eugene Torre, Darwin Laylo, Mark Paragua, and International Master Richard Bitoon. So far, GM Rogelio “Joey” Antonio, Jr. is the lone Filipino qualifier for the World Chess Cup.

So is also set to participate in the Susan Polgar’s Spice Chess Cup Open 2009 (Group A) beginning September 19 at the Texas Tech University, United States. The tournament runs until September 29.

So continues to dominate the national rankings with a record 2646 rating. He is currently ranked 94th overall in the world, based on the July ratings of the World Chess Federation (FIDE).

In addition, So is at the seventh spot among the highest rated juniors in the world.

So is fresh from his stint at the Chinese Chess League 2009 last week where he won his first game against Wang Chen (2400) and drew against Xiu Deshun (2515) in the second round.

The 15-year-old GM raised his total score to 4 points (+3 -1 =2), with an average opponents’ rating of 2477. In the past installment of the league, So scored 2.5 points (+2 -1 =1). – Marlon Bernardino