So: I am still a proud Pinoy
By Peter Atencio | Jun. 25, 2014 at 12:01am
WESLEY So, who has not given up on his Filipino citizenship, thwarted Canadian International Master Raja Panjwani, in 23 moves of an Irregular Opening in the ninth Edmonton Chess Festival in Canada yesterday.
He remained unscathed along with former World Challenger Vassily Ivanchuk of Ukraine after three rounds.
The 20-year-old So sacrificed a rook to launch a mating net that succeeded as he came one move closer from checkmating Panjwani.
Panjwani resigned, allowing the Webster University hotshot to remain at the helm with three points.
The second-seeded Ivanchuk stuck with So in the lead.
So earlier rose to no. 15th in the world after topping the Capablanca Memorial a few weeks back in Cuba.
He capped his title conquest with with a win over Canadian Alex Yam in 35 moves of an English Opening.
So’s first two wins came at the expense of yet another Canadian Richard Wang and American GM Samuel Shankland.
Earlier, in an online interview with Chessdom, So said he has not given up his Filipino citizenship.
“I am a proud Filipino, always will be a Filipino at heart, and never forget where I came from. I am thankful for all the support in the past. My parents now live permanently in Canada. But I live full time in St. Louis right now and I hope to reside permanently in the US,” said So in the article.
Meanwhile, tournament sensation Janelle Mae Frayna blundered away a winning game and settled for a 44-move draw in an English Opening with GM Banjo Barcenilla.
The 18-year-old Far Eastern University standout fell into a three-way tie for IM Paulo Bersamina and GM John Paul Gomez with 10.5 points apiece.
Source: http://manilastandardtoday.com
With a suspended meager allowance of $ 900 per month and a NCFP who plays devil advocate refusibg to release and consent his transfer (all because of NCFP President Pichay) in other words no support at all from the Philippines Chess Federation… But if you look closely at pictures in the net at Edmonton International, Wesley So is still carrying the Philippine Flag and still bring honors to the Philippines. This is how the Philippines treats its sportsmen… an ungrateful chess federation run by corrupt politicians with only personal interest as primary motive that is using government sports fun as their milking cows.