Pinoy grandmaster So takes part in charity chess match in New York

Filipino chess Grandmaster Wesley So took part in a charity chess match organized by the Filipino-American Chess Club of New York last July 11 at the Philippine Center in New York. So competed against 20 other players simultaneously, but still managed to show off his strategic skills and chess acumen, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Monday. One of the 20 players he competed against was acting Deputy Permanent Representative of the Philippine Mission to the UN in New York Eduardo de Vega, the DFA confirmed. "So is currently the top-ranked player in the Philippines, number 4 Under-20 in the world, and ranked 104th in the world. Now 18 years of age, So is currently in the US for additional training and education opportunities," the DFA also said, in a press release. So earned Grandmaster status at the age of 14 years, one month and 28 days - the eighth youngest player in the history of chess to do so. Before becoming a Grandmaster, he also became the youngest Filipino International Master at the age of 12 years and 10 months. In that vein, Filipino-American Chess Club of New York Tournament director Nonoy Rafael encouraged more Filipino-Americans, particularly the younger generation, to take up chess. Witnessing the tournament were Deputy Consul General Theresa de Vega and Consul Elena Maningat. - AMD, GMA News