One of world’s top chess grandmasters wins tournament in Plymouth
Article by: DENNIS J. MCGRATH , Star Tribune
Updated: September 1, 2014 – 1:11 PM

Grandmaster Wesley So went undefeated in the weekend tournament.

One of strongest chess tournaments in Minnesota in recent years was held this weekend in the Twin Cities, with a grandmaster ranked 14th in the world winning the event.

Filipino GM Wesley So, 20, took clear first with four wins and a draw at the Noel Skelton Open, held at the Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West hotel in Plymouth.

So is rising star in international chess circles, rocketing from 38th in the world a year ago to 12th last month. In the latest world chess rankings for September, he occupies the 14th spot. With a U.S. chess rating of 2781, So is counted among the world’s elite grandmasters known as “super grandmasters.”

So, who is attending Webster University in St. Louis, is working on changing his affiliation from the Philippines to the U.S. Chess Federation, and recently served as a coach for the U.S. team competing in the world Chess Olympiad in Norway.

A second grandmaster who competed in the tournament, Chile’s Mauricio Flores, 23, is attending the University of Minnesota.

Minnesota’s two top players, International Masters Sean Nagle and John Bartholomew acquitted themselves well against the two grandmasters, notching even scores against them. Nagle drew with both GM’s and Bartholomew defeated Flores and then lost to So in the final round to determine the champion.

The event drew over 100 players for the tournament held on Saturday and Sunday.

Source: http://www.startribune.com

Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
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