GM WESLEY SO REMAINS COUNTRY'S HIGHEST RATED PLAYER---FIDE

July 1, 2008 RP-Fide rating list

1 GM Wesley So (2577)
2-3 GM Eugene Torre (2524), GM Jayson Gonzales (2524)
4 GM Mark Paragua (2523)
5 IM Rolando Nolte (2522)
6 GM Rogelio Antonio Jr. (2518)
7 GM Darwin Laylo (2504)
8 IM Joseph Sanchez (2486)
9 IM Oliver Dimakiling (2479)
10 IM Julio Catalino Sadorra (2466)

GRANDMASTER Wesley So, 14, remains the Philippines' highest rated player on the July 1, 2008 ratings list issued by the World Chess Federation yesterday.

So, the Bacoor, Cavite kid campaigner, currently the world youngest GM, has an Elo rating of 2577 from 2540 in the April 1, 2008 RP Fide rating list.

Eugene Torre, Asia's First GM, and Jayson Gonzales move into a tie for second and third with identical 2524 ratings.

Torre, the RP's long-time pillars is No.4 in the April 1, 2008 list with 2519 while Gonzales, was at No.8, but gained a 56 Elo rating because of his superb performance in local and international tournament.

Former No.2 Mark Paragua, who is fresh from winning the tough Marshall Chess Club Open (will be include in the October 1, 2008 list) dropped at solo No.4 with 2523 after losing 15 Elo rating points from his before 2538 points.

IM Rolando Nolte, gained a 102 Elo rating points in just one tournament---3rd Kolkata Open last March after finishing in a tie for fourth to climbed at solo No.5 with 2522. The Quezon City based Nolte, No.14 in the April 1, 2008 list with 2420.

Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr., many-time national champion at No.6 with 2518 followed by No.7 Darwin Laylo with 2504.

Completing the top 10 were No. 8 IM Joseph Sanchez (2486), No.9 IM Oliver Dimakiling (2479), and No.10 IM Julio Catalino Sadorra (2466). WNM Catherine Perena is still the women's top rated player with 2212.

Meanwhile, Super GM Viswanathan Anand is world's top player with 2798 while Super GM Judith Polgar of Hungrary is women's world No.1 with 2711. Super GM Magnus Carlsen of Norway is top boy's 20 and under player with 2775 while WGM Yifan Hou of China is top girl's 20 and under player with 2557.

contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO, edited by jovie sison