FILIPINO GM WESLEY SO BAGS $100,000 FOR WINNING THE MILLIONAIRE CHESS OPEN IN LAS VEGAS
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 14 Oct 2014
THAILAND -- Filipino Grandmaster Wesley Barbasa So is the Millionaire Chess Open Champion.
He pocketed the $100,000 grand prize. He won it over fellow Webster University teammate American GM Ray Robson, 1.5-0.5, in the final match and clinched the championship tiara at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada on Tuesday (Monday night US Time). Robson, on the other hand went home with the runner-up purse of $50,000.
The $1,000,000 guaranteed prizes with a $100,000 grand prize was the biggest ever in the history of chess tournament.
On the road to the finals, So (2755), the tournament's top seed, edged GM Zhou Jianchao (2580) of China, 2-0, in the first tie break consisting of two games at 15 minutes per player. Earlier, So and Zhou drew both rapid games at 25 minutes per player to force into a tiebreaker.
Robson (2628) of the USA, mean time shocked GM Yu Yangyi (2697) of China, 1.5-0.5, in their rapid semifinal knockout match and got to the final first.
The 21-year-old Bacoor, Cavite native So now has a live rating of 2762, a personal best, after gaining 7.0 rating points from 5 wins and 2 draws in the Swiss system elimination round. He surpassed former world champion GM Vladimir Kramnik of Russia, who has a 2760 rating in a magnificent performance now puts him in the world's top 10 highest rated chess players.
Prior to the Millionaire Chess Open in Las Vegas, So settled second place behind GM Vassily Ivanchuk of Ukraine last June in the Edmonton International tournament in Alberta, Canada. He topped the prestigious Capablanca Memorial Tournament in Havana, Cuba last May and won the ACP Golden Classic last July in Bergamo, Italy.-Marlon Bernardino-
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
UNBEATEN PROSPECT KENNETH LLOVER TO FACE FORMER TWO-DIVISION CHAMPION LUIS CONCEPCION IN MANILA
Mon, 07 Jul 2025Yoseline Perez Concludes World Boxing Cup Astana 2025 with Silver Medal
Mon, 07 Jul 2025GM Gonzales finishes second in Penang Makruk chess meet, pockets silver medal
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 07 Jul 2025THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 10 - ALI WINS OVER PATTERSON, EVADES VIETNAM WAR DRAFT
By Maloney L. Samaco, Sun, 06 Jul 2025Jack Catterall Defeats Harlem Eubank Via Technical Decision After Fight Stopped Early Due to Cuts
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 06 Jul 2025Good Fortune for Manny
By Joaquin Henson, Sun, 06 Jul 2025Rimar Metuda Bows to Kuntae Lee in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Sun, 06 Jul 2025BA President Umar Kremlev makes heavyweight icon Tyson Fury an offer for ‘beautiful farewell fight’ for IBA heavyweight title
Sun, 06 Jul 2025Yoseline Perez Advances to Gold Medal Bout at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
Sun, 06 Jul 2025Catterall vs Eubank: Jack’s Experience Gap Too Wide?
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 05 Jul 2025Morelle McCane Advances to Semifinals at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
Sat, 05 Jul 2025WEIGHTS FROM MANCHESTER: CATTERALL - 146.5 LBS., EUBANK - 146.5 LBS.
Sat, 05 Jul 2025Vincent Astrolabio in LA training alongside Manny Pacquiao
By Ace Freeman, Sat, 05 Jul 2025Jason Sanchez Upsets Previously Undefeated Julian Gonzalez in Philly
Sat, 05 Jul 2025Meatball Launches Boxing Career With Matchroom
Sat, 05 Jul 2025