Pinoy GM Wesley So to move up to No. 10 in world rankings after Vegas win

Filipino chess Grand Master Wesley So bagged the $100,000 first prize in the Millionaire Chess Open after beating Webster University teammate Ray Robson in the final round of the competition held in Las Vegas.

 

 

The 21-year-old So is set to move up to No. 10 in the player rankings of the World Chess Federation (FIDE) after his strong performance in the tournament. He came into the tournament ranked 14th in the world.

 

 

So qualified for the rapid chess semifinals after seven Swiss-rounds before beating Chinese GM Jianchao Zhou to book a finals date with Robson, who took home $50,000.00 after yielding the championship.

 

The Filipino GM is in the process of a transfer to the United States Chess Federation, which requires him to sit out major international tournaments as per FIDE rules. His move caused a minor controversy in the local chess scene, after his request to transfer was reportedly ignored by the Philippine Chess Federation. — Marisse Panaligan/JST, GMA News