Wesley So faces must-win situation against Russian Evgeny Tomashevsky
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 15 Aug 2013
So.
Filipino Grandmaster Wesley So's World Chess Cup campaign will officially be over if he doesn't find a way to beat Russian Grandmaster Evgeny Tomashevsky late Thursday in their second game of standard play format.
The No. 33 seed So (ELO 2708) bowed to No. 32 seed Tomashevsky (ELO 2708) late Wednesday in their first game after 51 moves of Grunfeld Defense, Prins Variation, Grunfeld using the disadvantageous black pieces.
A win by So, one of the most popular young players in the tournament, would force a possible rapid playoff on Friday.
So crushed GM Alexander Ipatov of Turkey, 1.5-0.5, to advance to the second round of the 2013 World Chess Cup at the Scandic Hotel in Tromso, Norway.
In 2011 Khanty Mansiysk, Russia edition, So lost to then top seed Ukrainian GM Sergey Karjakin in the blitz tie-break in the second round.
In 2009 Khanty Mansiysk, Russia edition, So ousted former world championship candidates GM Vassily Ivanchuk of Ukraine, 1.5-.5 in the second round and American GM Gata Kamsky, 1.5-.5 in the third round to march to the quarterfinals. His Cinderella run however, was ended by GM Vladimir Malakhov of Russia, 4-1 in rapid tiebreak.
The two other Filipino campaigners -- 100th seed GM Oliver Barbosa (ELO 2572) and 110th seed GM Mark Paragua (ELO 2545) -- were not as lucky, however bowed out of the 128-player, knockout-style event organized by FIDE (World Chess Federation) late Monday.
Barbosa bowed to 29th seed GM Le Quang Liem (ELO 2712) of Vietnam and Paragua was yielded to 28th seed GM Dmitry Jakovenko of Russia (ELO 2724) in their two-game standard play with a similar 0-2 score.
The country's campaign in the tournament is supported by former Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr., 7th district Cavite Rep. Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino Jr., Bayan Muna Party-List Rep.Neri Javier Colmenares and GM Jayson Gonzales of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).-Marlon Bernardino-
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Cold Comfort: Tapales and Vitor Frozen Out in Moscow Heartbreaker
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 14 Feb 2026WBC Celebrates 63 years of dedication to the sports and fighters
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 14 Feb 2026BOXING STARS FROM AROUND THE WORLD LINING UP FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND IN "BOXING’S HOMETOWN"
Sat, 14 Feb 2026Filipino Boxers Make Weight in Brico Santig's Valentine's Show in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 14 Feb 2026Filipinos Vitor and Tapales Take on Russians for IBF Asia Titles in Moscow Today
By Dong Secuya, Fri, 13 Feb 2026Manny Pacquiao Promotions Returns to Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. with a Pair of World Championship Bouts
Fri, 13 Feb 2026IOAN CROFT AND GARAN CROFT SIGN FOR MATCHROOM BOXING AS EDDIE HEARN LOOKS AHEAD TO BRIGHT FUTURE FOR EXCITING WELSH TWINS
Fri, 13 Feb 20263 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
Fri, 13 Feb 2026Day One Concludes at 2026 USA Boxing International Open
Thu, 12 Feb 2026Female Boxing GOAT Katie Taylor to be Special guest at All-N.E. Golden Gloves Thursday, Feb. 12, in Lowell, MA
Thu, 12 Feb 2026Brandon McCarthy Signs with Wise Owl Boxing, Set to Make Noise at 135 lbs
Thu, 12 Feb 2026Filipino Boxers Set for Action on Valentine's Day in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Wed, 11 Feb 2026Oklahoma Outplays LA Lakers, 119-110; Arrests Skid to Hold on to League Lead
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Wed, 11 Feb 2026Malaya Vibrations to play gig at 5th MFPI Mindanao Summit
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 11 Feb 2026Fight of the Night in Thailand: Ador Torres and Sairike Tuolewutayi Battle to a Thrilling Draw
By Carlos Costa, Wed, 11 Feb 2026