GM So to vie in Asian chess championships

GM So to vie in Asian chess championships
ABS-CBNnews.com
Posted at 05/02/2012 8:30 PM | Updated as of 05/02/2012 8:30 PM

MANILA, Philippines – Following a strong performance in the recent 2012 Luneta Open Chess Championships, Filipino Grand Master (GM) Wesley So will again compete against some of the world’s best at the 11th Asian Continental Individual Chess Championships in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

The Asian Continental Individual Chess Championship, which will be held on May 4 to 14, will serve as a qualifying tournament for the World Chess Cup later this year.

Aside from So, the other Filipino participants in the competition include GM Oliver Barbosa, GM Rogelio Antonio Jr., GM Mark Paragua, GM John Paul Gomez, GM Darwin Laylo, GM Eugene Torre and International Master Jan Emmanuel Garcia.

So said earlier that he will be working to break through the 2700 ELO barrier.

“I would like to break the 2700 ELO barrier and step into the 2800,” said So, who currently holds a Fide rating of 2653.

“I’m sure he would have a chance to break into the world 2700 barrier,” said Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr., chairman and president of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines.

“The talent and skills are already there, and he has proven that. This year could be a test of character and nerves for him because everybody knows him already,” said Pichay. — By Marlon Bernardino

Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com