Wesley So wins Candon chess cup

CANDON CITY, Ilocos Sur - The world's current youngest grandmaster, Wesley So, watched the live telecast of the Pacquiao-Marquez rematch at Stern Mall here before the final round of the Mayor Allen Singson Cup. After Pacquiao eked out a split decision victory, So also settled for a draw with Candon's Ronald Adaya to clinch the 1st prize worth P15,000. So scored 6 points in the seven-round Swiss System. National Master Ronald Llavanes settled for 2nd with 5.5 points, the same score garnered by 3rd placer Adaya. Both won P8,500. Fourth is NM Mirabeau Maga with 5 points, followed by NM Rustom Tolentino, International Master Chito Garma, IM Richard Bitoon, NM Nicomedes Alisangco and NM Eduardo Aragon, who all got 5 points. Adaya also won the Best Ilocos Surian award. Patrick Dulay of Vigan City won the 16-under category, a category that So, who is only 14 years old, could easily have joined and won. Philip Ian Balbin of Candon won in the 12-under. After this, So said that he might campaign abroad to up his current FIDE (Fédération Internationale des Échecs or World Chess Federation) rating of 2526 to the Super GM status or a FIDE of 2600 or higher. - GMANews.TV