On Chess: Say It Ain’t So, Wesley Goes Pro
By BRIAN JERAULD
He arrives in the U.S. as a promising recruit from the Philippines, and in two years makes the jump from the top 100 to number 10 in the world. He becomes an instant collegiate star, a freshman phenom who leads St. Louis’ powerhouse Webster University program to back-to-back national titles — and then plays the nation’s heartstrings by announcing that his promising future will be played under the red, white and blue for the burgeoning U.S. Chess Federation.
Indeed, Grandmaster Wesley So was the hottest name to come out of the U.S. Capital of Chess in 2014, a World University Champion on a two-time national champion team, voted last year’s Best College Athlete even before he blasted off into the next headline-grabbing stratosphere.
In October, So used everything but luck to take down the Millionaire Open in Las Vegas, winning its never-seen-before $100,000 top prize and taking his first big gulp of that delicious green wine. His follow-up was an undefeated run through a “rookie” season in the U.S. Chess League, an outstanding 8/9 performance against the nation’s best players to lead the Saint Louis Arch Bishops to their first-ever championship in December.
And now, with national titles seemingly nothing more than swag collected any time he participates in an event, Wesley So has officially made the leap. Just before the turn of the new year, the 21-year-old announced that he was going pro in 2015 — then he returned to Vegas to celebrate his new business suit, stomping on the North American Open to bag an easy $10,000 in another undefeated effort.
The announcement came rife with all the controversy that a budding mind sport could want, exhibiting all the classic storylines of any athlete’s early declaration. Cue the standard well-wishing from his former coach, Susan Polgar at Webster, not speaking on his abrupt departure (just as the major collegiate tournament season hit full swing) and instead giving quotes mixed with the affirmation of his talents and the veiled concerns for his future.
Even Mama So played a role in the fray, less guarded than Polgar and publicly expressing concern on her son’s decision. Since chess doesn’t have any of the professional restrictions like traditional sports under the NCAA (that $100,000 check in Vegas last October did not affect his amateur status), So’s decision is less about “going pro” and more about simply dropping out of school. He left behind two-and-a-half years worth of a finance degree by not returning for Webster’s winter semester, and has since vacated the city completely, now working professionally out of Minnesota.
“No matter how good he is as a chess professional, it cannot replace education and a university degree,” said Leny So in an interview with Chessdom.com. “All of us encouraged him to stay in school. He has so much to learn. Unfortunately, there were poor advice given to Wesley, which is not to our liking. I have a negative feeling as a mother that this is a very huge mistake on Wesley. It hurts me terribly.”
Full article here.
Chess is too low level in St Louis. Minnesota is much stronger. Wes is making right decision. Mama So is only holding her son back. He needs Lotis Key.
GM Wesley So has made a decision already we don’t need him to see this negative remarks on him otherwise we will be pulling him down. So knows it and I am very sure that he did a serious thought about this decision already. I believe he has his own personal reason about it so let’s all embrace his decision and perhaps pray for his success (if we really care about him). Go Wesley just do your thing and/but don’t forget all the people that helped you go this far (Susan Polgar esp.).
for one who has followed Wesley So for a number of years I am very disappointed in his latest decision. Two more years of education and the special training he was receiving from Susan Polgar would have more than compensated for what he might have gained by this decision.
If this move by Wesley is evaluated by life’s engines, it will be red as blood. An immediate -50.00. The sad part is that he was already +3.00 before the blunder, with lots of time on his clock. A winning middle game ruined by a horrible queen sacrifice.
Lotis Key will sure make Wesley So world champion
Short-sightedness on Wesley’s part. School is always more important than playing chess.
Wesley made the right decision,he is 2700 plus, he can always finish his education later.With that kind of strength and gift,you have to give yourself a chance to play professionally! There are more direct flights out of Minnesota than st.Louis to make travel easier for him to go to tournaments.
Great decision by Wesley. Already top 10 in the world at only 21, he is giving himself all the chances to vie for the top. He is setting a world championship goal, this will require full concentration, focus, and a lot of of preparation…anything mixed with education will just produce lackluster results. Can’t mixed education and chess at the top. Remember Chess Worlds Champions are mostly very young. If nothing happens in 2 yrs, he can always come back to college with his own money and finish it in 1.5 years. This is the moment to seize his goal…he knows it. If he doesn’t do it now, he will always doubt himself. Even if it doesn’t pan out, he can always say he gave his best! No regrets and no thinking about the what ifs! It’s very easy to finish a degree in 1.5 yrs. He’s shooting for the highest goal in what he loves to do! Let him and wish him all the best and success in whatever he decides to do! Go Wes…all the way up!
…the no good dirty bum!Hey mom,you wish him the best,then wish him the best.?Not-you’re making a big mistake!He’s reaching for something special and he will need commitment, devotion,and in your case support to reach his goal.He has to go now or miss his chance.Of the top professionals who has a college degree?Speak up Gata Kamsky and tell us to mind our own busines and to remember Que Sera,Sera!(Whatever will be,Will Be!)
With Lotis Key guidance, Surely Wesley So can dream big and Lotis Key will make it happen.