Pinoy GM Wesley Barbasa So shares lead with two others

by Marlon Bernardino

FILIPINO Grandmaster Wesley Barbasa So (ELO 2705) settled for a draw with GM Eric Hansen of Canada (ELO 2577) but kept his share of the lead in the 2013 Calgary International Chess Classic at  the  Best Western Village  Park  Inn  in Calgary, Canada.

GM  Robin  Van Kampen  of  the Netherlands (ELO 2580) defeated NM Alex Wang of Canada (ELO 2283) to raise his total to 2.5 points and and forge a three-way tie for first after three rounds.

Bunched with Van Kampen are So and Hansen.

In the fourth round, the 20-year-old So will be facing Van Kempen while Hansen opposite  GM Victor Mikhalevski of Israel (ELO 2551), who was yielded to So in the second round. Mikhalevski, bounced back in contention by crushing NM Robert  Gardner of Canada (ELO 2217) in the third round.

So’s campaign is backed up by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) headed by it's Chairman/President Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr., Secretary-General Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino Jr. and Executive Director GM Jayson Gonzales.

The tournament serves as So’s build up for the forthcoming 27th Summer Universiade on  July 6-17 in Kazan, Russia and 2013 World Chess Cup scheduled on August 10 to September 5 in Tromso, Norway.