WESLEY SO IS PHILIPPINES TOP GM

EYES INT'L CHESS TILT

Final point standings: Men
8.5 - W. So
7.5 – E. Torre, R. Bitoon
7.0 – J. Gomez
6.5 – R. Antonio
5.5 – R. Nolte
5 – J. Sadorra
4.5 – F. Donguines, O. Barbosa
3.5 – H, Nouri, B. Villamayor
2.5 – J. Gonzales

Women
8.0 – C. Perena
7.5 – Sherily Cua, C., Camacho
7.0 – Shercila Cua
6.5 – A. Salvador
6.0 – Y. Jose
4.5 – C. Bernales, B. Mendoza
4.0 – E. Magno, J. Docena
3.5 – K. Cunanan
3.0 – J. Palomo

GM Wesley So added another feather on his cap by winning the "Battle of GMs" chess championship over the weekend at the Bayside Hall of City State Hotel in Mabini St.. cor. Padre Faura, Manila.

The 14-year-old So, currently world youngest GM pocketed the P200,000 top prize for his feat. He settled for a truce with three-time national junior champion Jon Paul Gomez in 30 moves of the French to finish the tough, 12-player tournament with 8.5 points on six wins and five draws.

He finished a full point ahead of Asia's first GM Eugene Torre and IM Richard Bitoon.

So's next target is the 2nd Philippine Open International Tournament on May 6 to 15 at the La Legenda Hotel in Subic Bay Freeport followed immediately by the 3rd Philippine Open on May 15 to 24 May in nearby Pampanga.

Actually, the former Promil Kid child prodigy is in on a roll. He also won the tough Dubai Chess Championships and beat Indon GM Susanto Megaranto in their one-on-one duel in Jakarta.

" Dream ko maging super GM ngayong taon. Alam ko na makukuha ko 'yun kasi full support sina Cong (Butch) Pichay, Mayor (Bambol) Tolentino, Sir Chito (Tagaysay) at Sir Reginald (Tee) sa aking local at international campaign," said So.

"Masayang-masaya po ako dahil hindi nasayang ang mga pagsisikap ko," said So, an incoming third year high school student at St. Francis College (Cavite), who dedicate his triumph to his parents, William and Lenny So.

Torre, meanwhile halved the point with GM Rogelio Antonio Jr. in only 20 moves of the Caro Kann, while Bitoon outduelled comebacking GM Buenevanetura "Bong" Villlamayor in 35 moves of the Queen's Indian to share second to third places with 7.5 points.

Gomez finished in solo fourth place with seven points, followed by Antonio in fifth place with 6.5 points and NM Rolando Nolte in sixth place with 5.5 points.

In the women's division, Catherine Perena bagged the title and the P50,000 top prize. Perena drew with Kimberly Cunana in 43 moves of the Queen's Indian to finish with eight points, half a point ahead of Sherily Cua and Cheradee Camacho.
Cua stopped Jenny Palomo in 36 moves of the King's Indian, while Camacho upset Shercila Cua in 35 moves of the French.

National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) president Prospero "Butch" Pichay awarded the trophies and cash prizes to the winners, assisted by NCFP secretary-general Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino, NCFP vice-president Val Rosabal, NCFP director Willie Abalos and FIDE honorary lifetime president Florencio Campomanes..

In the Battle of GMs, So won five matches over IM Julio Catalino Sadorra, in the first round Antonio in the second round, GM Jayson Gonzales in the third round, FM Fernie Donguines in the sixth round, Villamayor in the eighth round and Bitoon in the ninth round..

His four other draws came against Torre in the fourth round, NM Hamed Nouri in the fifth round, Nolte in the seventh round and NM Oliver Barbosa in the 10th round.

The 56-year-old Torre also finished unbeaten in the tournament, posting four wins and seven draws. Bitoon, the pride of Southwestern University, had six wins, three draws and two losses.

contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO, edited by jovie sison