So reaches World Chess Cup 2nd round
MANILA, Philippines – Filipino Grandmaster (GM) Wesley So advanced to the second round of the 2011 World Chess Cup by securing a draw against GM Ding Liren of China in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia, on Tuesday.
So, one of the most popular young players to enter the tournament, battled Ding Liren to a fighting draw in the 2nd of their 2-game rapid play-off encounter to advance to the next round.
So beat Liren in the 1st game after 46 moves of King’s Indian defense, Saemish variation.
The Bacoor, Cavite-based player outscored Liren in 2 games, 2.5-1.5.
According to Wesley’s long-time manager Reginald Tee, So actually had a slight advantage in the 2nd game but decided to play safe by accepting the draw after 40 moves of Bogo-Indian defense.
The draw was all the 17-year-old Filipino champion needed to eliminate Liren, reigning two-time Chinese national open champion.
So will next face top seed GM Sergey Karjakin of Russia.
In 2009, So had a sensational run in the World Chess Cup by beating world championship candidates GM Vassily Ivanchuk of Ukraine and GM Gata Kamsky of the United States.
He went as far as the 4th round but was halted by GM Vladimir Malakhov of Russia.
The other Filipino entry in this year’s World Chess Cup, GM Mark Paragua bowed to GM Michael Adams of England, 0.5-1.5. — by Marlon Bernard
Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com
Wesley rules~