So joins Summer Universiade
By MST Sports | Posted on Apr. 03, 2013 at 12:01am
Before the 2013 World Cup in Tromso, Norway, GM Wesley So gets another opportunity to play against the world’s best and brightest young players when he takes part in the 27th Summer Universiade in Kazan, Russia on July 6 to 17.
So will represent the country in the prestigious sports competition to be held in the historic capital city of the Republic of Tatarstan noted for its centuries-old architectural masterpieces mixing Eastern and Western cultures.
The 20-year-old So was tapped to represent the country by the Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines, the country’s lone governing body duly recognized by the International University Sports Federation.
“I’m looking forward to play in the Kazan Universiade for the first time and represent the country again,” said So, who was personally selected by FESSAP president David Ong and chef de mission Antonio Tiu of AgriNurture.
“This will also be a good opportunity for me to hone my game in preparations for the Tromso World Cup,” added So.
A member of Webster University’s ‘Magnificent 8’ under SPICE founder Susan Polgar, So is expected to fly directly to Moscow on July 6 from St. Louis, Missouri where he is presently enrolled as a freshman student.
Ong welcomed the addition of So to the Philippine delegation to the Universiade.
“It’s a big honor for all of us. His entry is a tremendous boost to the Philippine delegation to the Universiade,” said Ong.
So’s formal confirmation came after the country, thru FESSAP, was officially admitted by FISU as one of the participating countries in the Universiade.
The admission was relayed in a formal communication sent to FESSAP by FISU from its headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.
In Kazan, So is expected to play against the world’s leading university players.
“Being a world power in chess, Russia is expected to field its best university players in Kazan,” said Ong. “
Ong said the Russians know a lot about Wesley (So). They still remember him for his sensational upset victories over (former world championship candidate) GM Vassily Ivanchuk of Ukraine in the World Cup,” he added.
Source: http://manilastandardtoday.com
Go Wesley!
I know Wes he can do it. He has prepared lots of opening repertoire that is an experimental and in most cases ridiculous with computer assistance…Well lets see what’s up for the Great Wesley.