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:
Jamaine Ortiz Aims to Derail Keyshawn Davis’ Undefeated Streak at Madison Square Garden
Wed, 14 Jan 2026“No bad blood from me”- Good friends become better rivals – Clarke is ready for Cruiserweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Wed, 14 Jan 2026Itauma suffers injury; Magnificent 7 rescheduled to March 28
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 14 Jan 2026Top Super Lightweights Bryan Flores & Starling Castillo Battle in 10-Round Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’
Wed, 14 Jan 2026Harden surpasses Shaquille O'Neal's to become the ninth all-time leading scorer in NBA history
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 14 Jan 2026“It’s time, LFG” - Holly McMath Trilogy for WBC Title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Tue, 13 Jan 2026IBA President Kremlev encourages sporting organisations to protect women’s sport following Trump’s statement on Imane Khelif
Tue, 13 Jan 2026REYES, STRICKLAND, BUSTAMANTE & SOUQUET SET FOR HISTORIC SHOWDOWN AT WNT LEGENDS – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
Tue, 13 Jan 2026Pumicpic fights Korean in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 13 Jan 2026No. 1 rated WBA Super Flyweight contender John “Scrappy” Ramirez remains patient and Looks forward to a 2026 World title shot
Tue, 13 Jan 2026Ironman 70.3 Davao on March 22
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 13 Jan 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 12 JANUARY 2026: Dalton Smith Halts Subriel Matias in 5; Kabayel Stops Knyba in 3
By Eric Armit, Mon, 12 Jan 2026Chess Players Association of Negros Occidental, Incorporated (CPANOI) – 2026 Opening Event
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 12 Jan 2026STUNNING 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 2026