
Another draw for So at Quebec chess
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 26 Jul 2012
GRANDMASTER (GM) Wesley Barbasa So of the Philippines tried to secure his first win after two consecutive draws but only managed another draw with fellow GM Andrey Sumets of Ukraine in the sixth round of the 2012 Quebec Open Chess Championship at the the beautiful venue College Brebeuf in Montreal, Canada on Thursday.
It was the third straight draw for So, who also obtained the same result against GM Lazaro Bruzon of Cuba and International Master (IM) Bryan Smith of the USA in the fourth and in the fifth round respectively.
Overall, So is now at solo second place with 4.5 points, half point behind with sole leader Bruzon (5.0 points), who brought downed IM Daniel Naroditsky of the USA.
The 17-year-old Bacoor, Cavite whiz kid will face GM Dejan Bojkov of Bulgaria scheduled on Friday.
So earlier beat Fide Master (FM) Louie Jiang of Canada, IM Naroditsky and IM Darwin Yang of the USA in the first three round on Monday.
A whopping top prize $4,000 awaits to the winners in the Invitational tournament which attracted 32 woodpushers.
National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Chairman/President Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr., long-time benefactor of So is very confident that his ward will perform well going to the final canto. "Kalahating puntos lamang ang angat ng GM ng Cuba at alam n'yo naman sa Swiss System na going to the last 3 rounds ay nag end up ng draw. Si Wesley ay fighter yan simula pa ng pagkabata at kumpiyansa ako na maipapanalo niya ang nalalabing tatlong laro," said Pichay, who watches the games live through internet.
So is fresh from winning the the Crown Section of the 2012 Toronto International Chess Championship at the Annex Chess Club in 918 Bathurst St., Toronto, Canada held last July 15 to 20.
He also finish 3rd overall in the 40th Annual World Chess Open Championship which took place at the Sheraton City Center Hotel in Philadelphia held last July 4 to 8.
Meanwhile, after the Montreal chess, So will head to Webster University - SPICE for his full time study, with a brief two week interruption to represent the Philippines in the 2012 World Chess Olympiad on August 27 to September 10 in Istanbul, Turkey.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Canadian World Cruiserweight Contender Ryan Rozicki returning to ring March 7th
Thu, 01 Jan 2026Lover Boy on hot streak
By Joaquin Henson, Wed, 31 Dec 2025Silvano fights Gurung on January 13 in Hong Kong
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 31 Dec 2025GM Laylo faces tough competition in Caloocan rapid chess
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 31 Dec 2025GOLDEN BOY DELIVERS A LOADED UNDERCARD OF STAR PROSPECTS FOR ROCHA VS. CURIEL II
Wed, 31 Dec 2025Arca wins silver in Eastern Asian Juniors Chess Championships 2025
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 31 Dec 2025Donaire awaits WBA order
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 30 Dec 2025Anthony Joshua injured in car crash in Nigeria
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 30 Dec 2025Sampson Boxing Signs Red Hot Middleweight Vito Mielnicki Jr to Exclusive Promotional Contract
Tue, 30 Dec 2025Undefeated Carl Jammes Martin Plots Next Move as New Year Unfolds
Mon, 29 Dec 2025Alvin Gayeta Roma leads Mansa Engineering Consultancy Team B to rule New York Chess Academy Team Tournament; pockets P100,000
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 29 Dec 2025Llover, Casimero stop foes in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 28 Dec 2025Organizing Committee Meets for Dr. Eugene Torre Rapid Chess Tournament Honoring FIL-CHI’s Golden Anniversary
Sun, 28 Dec 2025KEYSHAWN DAVIS RETURNS ON THE RING 6 UNDERCARD AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN
Sun, 28 Dec 2025IM Datu captures 4th IIEE Chess SIKAT, Jeremy Marticio repeat champ for 5th mini-tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 27 Dec 2025