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:
STUNNING SMITH DESTROYS MATIAS TO BECOME WORLD CHAMPION
Sun, 11 Jan 2026Former WBC champ Bazooka Limón hospitalized in Mexico
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 11 Jan 2026Zuffa Boxing set to unveil its maiden card on January 23 in Las Vegas
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 10 Jan 2026‘I’ve got an army and army’s move in numbers’ Owen Corrigan returns for Light Heavyweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Sat, 10 Jan 2026Pasalamat Festival Chess Tour 2026 to Push Through
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 10 Jan 2026MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS & TURNING STONE RESORT CASINO PRESENT CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28 - VERONA, NY
Sat, 10 Jan 2026ELIF TURHAN SIGNS NEW MULTI-FIGHT DEAL WITH MATCHROOM BOXING – FIRST IBF WORLD TITLE DEFENCE DATE SET FOR SATURDAY, JANUARY 31
Sat, 10 Jan 2026Driving Philippine Tennis Forward: Jean Henri Lhuillier Champions the 2026 Cebuana Lhuillier Tennis Tour
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 10 Jan 20262026 USA Boxing Elite High Performance Selection Camp Attendees Announced
Sat, 10 Jan 2026‘I’m ready to make some noise’ Billy Quinncroft returns for Cruiserweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Fri, 09 Jan 2026Dableo and Laylo's Team to Compete in Bulacan
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 09 Jan 2026Sanman Boxing present Yeerken vs. Carcedo WBA Asia South Title Clash in General Santos City on Feb 9
Fri, 09 Jan 2026Hardstone adds 2 more title fights on January 26
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 09 Jan 2026Panamerican Boxing Confederation Partners with Xempower for Digital and AI-Driven Transformation
Fri, 09 Jan 2026IGMOB TALENT GROUP Launches www.IGMOBTalent.com to Represent Fighters, Entertainers, and Rising Talent Across Sports & Media
Fri, 09 Jan 2026