Wesley So hikes FIDE ranking, now world’s 60th best player
abs-cbnNEWS.com
Posted at 07/02/2010 8:18 PM Updated as of 07/02/2010 8:18 PM
MANILA, Philippines – Filipino teenage chess sensation Grandmaster (GM) Wesley So continues his steady climb to the top of the world chess rankings.
The Bacoor-based whiz kid jumped 4 points up from his previous 64th world placing last May to 60th this month with a total of 2674 Elo rating points.
So’s rating was boosted by the 9 points he garnered in the 3rd Phoenix Battle of the Grandmaster and 9th Asian Continental Men’s Championship.
The 16-year old, the 7th youngest in the world to obtain GM status, is also now No. 7 in the world among under 20 players and No. 2 in Asia in the U-20 category. Vietnam’s GM Le Quang Liem tote 2681.
“I would like to break the 2700 Elo barrier and step into the 2800,” said So in an earlier interview.
“I’m sure he would have a chance to break into the world 2700 barrier,” said National Chess Federation of the Philippines president Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr.
Other best RP playersAlso making it among the country’s top chess players are 12-time national open champion GM Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. (Elo 2575), GM John Paul Gomez (Elo 2527), GM Darwin Laylo (Elo 2522), IM Roland Salvador (Elo 2498), Asia’s First GM Eugene Torre (Elo 2489), GM Joseph Sanchez (Elo 2479), GM Mark Paragua (Elo 2476), IM Julio Catalino Sadorra (Elo 2473) and IM Oliver Barbosa (Elo 2458).
Former Asian Junior champion and Arizona, USA-based Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla not listed in the “active player chart” remains International Master (IM) despite he completed already his 3rd and final GM norm.
Here is the full article.
Go Wesley!