Filipino GM Wesley So makes history by breaking 2700 Elo barrier in 28th Reykjavik Open chess championships; Guns for title against Pavel Eljanov in final round
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 27 Feb 2013
So, Eljanov.
Individual standings after Round 9:
7.5 points---GM Pavel Eljanov (Ukraine), GM Wesley Barbasa So (Philippines)
7.0 points---GM Grzegorz Gajewski (Poland), GM Anish Giri (The Netherlands), GM Ivan Cheparinov (Bulgaria), IM Wei Yi (China), GM Gawain Jones (England), GM Bassem Amin (Egypt)
Grandmaster Wesley Barbasa So (ELO 2684) defeated GM Marcin Dziuba (ELO 2602) of Poland to keep a share of the lead with GM Pavel Eljanov (ELO 2678) of Ukraine who brought downed GM Ding Liren (ELO 2709) of China after the ninth and penultimate round of 28th Reykjavik Open chess championships at Harpa, the 28.000 sqm. concert hall in Reykjavik, Iceland on Wednesday.
The Filipino champion went for a queen sacrifice in exchange of a rook and bishop. The position was very sharp and So claimed a winning advantage with an exchange sacrifice. A very nice final sequence finished in a checkmate on move 41 of their Caro-kann defense encounter using the white pieces.
According to National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Chairman/President Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr., after the win over Polish GM Dziuba, So made history as he breaks 2700 Elo barrier.
"Wesley's current live rating is 2701.4 after the win over Polish GM (Marcin) Dziuba," said Pichay, who watched the game live through internet.
So's Rating Performance going to the 10th and final round is 2768.
"We hope manalo si Wesley kay GM Pavel Eljanov sa last round para makuha nya ang first major title sa taong ito," added Pichay, who is also a member of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) board of trustees under the leadership of Jose' Peping" Cojuangco Jr.
Eljanov, meantime played with black against Ding. The game was highly tense from the beginning because both players decided to expand their pawns on the flanks, leaving their kings uncastled. The Ukrainian was the first one to break in the center with a knight sacrifice for two pawns. The Chinese needed to play precisely to avoid losing immediately, but was not able to do so. He resigned on move 22 when black is about to create a super strong passed pawn on the queenside.
"Brilliant din y'ung pagkapanalo ni Eljanov kay Ding Liren," last word of Pichay.
Eljanov will have the white pieces on Thursday against So for the coveted title. Eljanov and So, both tallied 7.5 points in the ten (10) Swiss-System event which offers a prize fund of 15,000 euro with the winner taking 5,000 euro and the runner-up getting 2,000 euro.
Bunch of 7.0 pointers are GM Grzegorz Gajewski of Poland, GM Anish Giri of The Netherlands, GM Ivan Cheparinov of Bulgaria, IM Wei Yi of China, GM Gawain Jones of England and GM Bassem Amin of Egypt.
Gajewski split the point with Wei after 33 moves of Neo-Gruenfeld defense, Giri toppled countryman GM Erwin L'ami after 40 moves of Slav defense, Cheparinov routed GM Mustafa Yilmaz of Turkey after 41 moves of another Slav skirmish, Jones subdued GM Nils Grandelius of Sweden after 51 moves of English Opening and Amin shocked GM David Navara of Czech Republic after 38 moves of Bogo-Indian defense.
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 2013 World Chess Cup scheduled on August 10 to September 5 in Tromso, Norway. Joining So in the World Chess Cup is fellow GM Oliver Barbosa. -Marlon Bernardino-
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat is the new FIDE World Senior 65 over category Rapid Champion
Sun, 24 Nov 2024Thunderdome 48 - Jude Grant vs Fano Kori
Sun, 24 Nov 2024World Boxing backs plan to create a new Confederation in Asia
Sun, 24 Nov 2024The message is clear – Asian Boxing Confederation remains united with the IBA
Sun, 24 Nov 2024OSCAR DE LA HOYA FOUNDATION HOSTS 25TH ANNUAL TURKEY GIVEAWAY FOR EAST LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY
Sun, 24 Nov 2024Life vs. Death: The Ultimate Ringside Showdown Immortalized in Pierce Egan’s Boxiana
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sat, 23 Nov 2024SPORTS SHORTS 284: TEAM MARK MAGSAYO CONFIRMS RETURN TO THE RING ON DECEMBER 14
By Maloney L. Samaco, Sat, 23 Nov 2024RJP Boxing promotes in Bucana on Dec. 17
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Good Prospects at Minimumweight, Light Fly, Super Bantam and Super Feather in 2025
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Filipino International Master Chito Danilo Garma is the new World Senior Blitz champion; Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat takes the bronze medal
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 23 Nov 2024KAMBOSOS JR SIGNS CO-PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM
Sat, 23 Nov 2024INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME TO ANNOUNCE CLASS OF 2025 ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5th
Sat, 23 Nov 2024Ring Master promotes in Calinan on Dec. 21
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Nov 2024NP Bansalan boxing team in Matalam
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Nov 2024New York, Minnesota Biggest Trade Gainers; Los Angeles Has the Rookie Draft Steal
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 22 Nov 2024