WESLEY’S RUN IN CORUS B CHESS ENDS AFTER LOSS TO GIRI
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 30 Jan 2010
MANILA, PHILIPPINES -- Wesley Barbasa So’s astounding run in the ongoing 72nd Corus International Chess Championship came to an end after the Filipino grandmaster lost his eleventh round match against Corus B Tournament leader Dutch GM Anish Giri on Friday night (Manila Time) that could potentially decide the winner of the tournament, being held at the De Moriaan Community Centre in Wijk Aan Zee, Netherlands.
The 16-year-old So played the King’s Pawn Game (e4), not his usual Queen’s Pawn Game (d4), and the 15-year-old Giri responded with the Petroff defense which ended into a 36 pushes.
Giri, who was born to a Nepalese father and Russian mother, launched an attack and sacrificed his knight then his bishop to open up lines towards So’s king. So defended well but seemed to have inaccuracies.
“Nais pasukin ni GM Wesley (So) ang Sicilian defense ni GM Anish (Giri) kaya nag desisyon siyang mag King’s Pawn Game kaysa sa Queen’s Pawn Game. Y’un nga lamang wise din si Anish, nag Petroff defense. Mahirap kasi pag pumasok ka sa preparation. Pero maganda ang attitude ni Wesley na go for a win. Hope manalo siya sa last two round,” said 1996 Philippine Junior champion NM Roberto Suelo Jr., first trainer/coach of So.
This was So’s first loss in the tournament after three wins and seven draws and was stuck at 6.5 points, the same output of top seed German Arkadij Naiditsch who held into a draw against England GM David Howell after 61 moves of Ruy Lopez Exchange.
Going to the last two round, Giri is still on top with 8 points, full point ahead against compatriot GM Erwin L'Ami and Chinese GM Ni Hua. L’Ami halved the point with Ukrainian WGM/IM Anna Muzychuk (who dealt Giri his only loss so far last Tuesday) after 53 moves of French exchange while Ni split the point against Indian GM Pentala Harikrishna after 59 moves of Slav defense.
Wesley's Netherlands trip is backed up by National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) President/Chairman Prospero Pichay, Jr. and Filway Marketing Inc. CEO/President Hector Tagaysay.
Long-time manager/businessman Reginald Tee, served as second/ trainer of Wesley in Holland chess meet.
Wesley’s 12th round match on Saturday will be against Howell using the black pieces and his 13th and final round match on Sunday against Muzychuk using the white pieces.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
The Hard Road of Young Nationalista
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Thu, 03 Apr 20255 Pinoy boxers to fight in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 03 Apr 2025Transatlantic Clash II - "Battle at the Bridge"
Thu, 03 Apr 2025Marco “El Tiburón” Romero moving up to scheduled 6-round bout next
Thu, 03 Apr 2025Filipino chess phenom wins at Spring Blitz Chess Championship in Dubai
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 03 Apr 2025Team USA Advances Two More Boxers to Medal Rounds at World Boxing Cup: Brazil 2025
Thu, 03 Apr 2025IM Bagamasbad eyes GM title in Australian Chess Circuit
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 03 Apr 2025SAMPSON BOXING SIGNS TOP UNDEFEATED LIGHT FLYWEIGHT CONTENDER ERICK BADILLO TO CO-PROMOTIONAL CONTRACT
Thu, 03 Apr 2025TURKISH KNOCKOUT ARTIST ELIF NUR TURHAN PENS PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM
Thu, 03 Apr 2025The Past Week in Action 31 March 2025: Norman Stops Cuevas in 3; Mayer Outpoints Ryan; Zepeda Edges Farmer; Collazo Stops Cano; Yabuki KOs Ayala
By Eric Armit, Wed, 02 Apr 2025Wild and Wooly Wind-up Seen in West Top 3-6
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Wed, 02 Apr 2025Rise of the Samurai: Inoue vs Nakatani in 2026
By Carlos Costa, Wed, 02 Apr 2025Undefeated super middleweight prospect Tommy Hyde a true Irish Road Warrior In Australia for April 11th fight
Wed, 02 Apr 2025Melvin the Avenger
By Joaquin Henson, Wed, 02 Apr 2025WORLD-RANKED LIGHTWEIGHT ARMANDO MARTINEZ RABI TO FACE ALBERTO GUEVARA IN MAIN EVENT OF FISTS OF FURY 6
Wed, 02 Apr 2025