WESLEY SO seeks to continue his hot streak as the world's youngest grandmaster mixes up with top woodpushers in the 2nd Subic International Open Chess Championships that kicks off tomorrow, May, 7-14 at the Lounge Area, Subic Exhibition and Convention Center in Olongapo, Zambales, Province.
The 14-year-old Bacoor, Cavite, also the highest rated Filipino player with 2540 Elo rating is fresh from winning the just concluded Philippine Battle of the GMs Chess Championships over the weekend at the Bayside Hall of City State Hotel in Mabini St. corner Padre Faura in Manila.
It was the third straight championship for So in two months this year. Earlier, So ruled the prestigious 10th Dubai Open Chess Championships in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and the So-Susanto Megaranto One-on-One Showdown in Jakarta, Indonesia last month.
" I hope I could continue my good performance here in Subic Open," said So, who is eyeing to surpass compatriot Mark Paragua's 2621 Super GM rating two years ago.
"Target ko maging Super GM," he added.
But the player known in the chess world as "Little but Terrible Pawn" will have to be at his best right at the opening of this eight-day National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) tournament headed by it's president Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr. He will face world renowned players in the likes of GM Zhang Zhong of Singapore, GM Li Chao of China, GM Ghaem Maghami and IM Mahjoob Morteza of Iran, GMs Dao Thien Hai, Nguyen Anh Dung and Le Quang Liem of Vietnam, and IM Zaw Win Lay of Myanmar.
Joining So to carry the good fight for the Filipinos are countryman and fellow GMs Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr., Eugene Torre, Buenaventura "Bong" Villamayor, and Jayson Gonzales, GM candidates John Paul Gomez, Julio Catalino Sadorra, Richard Bitoon, Rolando Nolte, Fernie Donguinez, Chito Garma, Emmanuel Senador, and Roderick Nava among others.
Up for grabs is a total prize purse of US$42,000 with the winner receiving the lion's share of $6,000.
FIDE delegate Casto "Toti" Abundo is the chief arbiter in the said affair while NCFP director Wilfredo "Willie" Abalos is the tournament manager.
contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO, edited by jovie sison
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