Most memorable sports stories of 2014 (Part 1)
By Mark Escarlote, ABS-CBN Sports
Posted at 12/30/2014 1:04 PM | Updated as of 12/30/2014 6:05 PM
8. Turncoat
Wesley So, the Philippines’ chess wizard, turned his back from the three stars and a sun flag and decided to hug the stars and stripes of Uncle Sam adding to the country’s never ending brain drain of talents.
The world no. 12 ranked woodpusher with a rating of 2762 caught the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) off guard when he informed them last June in a letter of his intention to play under the US Chess Federation.
His reasons were even more shocking — if not downright insulting — for the NCFP when the 21-year old chess master said that he wanted to vie for a world title and he won’t get it if he stays in the Philippines.
So’s family has permanently moved to Canada and he’s based in the US. So had planned to switch his nationality as early as late last year.
“In the Philippines, there is no serious training system. There are also very few strong tournaments in Asia,” So, who gained grandmaster status at the age of 14, said in an interview during the heat of the controversy.
During his service with the Philippines, So was receiving P40,000 monthly allowance under the PSC’s priority athletes program taken from taxpayers money.
Without So sitting on the top board, the Philippines finished a dismal 46th place in the 41st Tromso, Norway Chess Olympiad four months ago.
Even with distractions, So reaped numerous international chess tournament victories including the Millionaires Chess Open in Las Vegas where he bagged $100,000 and propelled his ranking to no. 10 last month.
After a long delay, NCFP allowed So to enter the USCF rating list last month but has to sit out the next two years under the rules of the World Chess Federation before he can enter the world championship.
Just a week ago, So has decided to drop out of Webster University and moved out of coach Susan Polgar’s camp to pursue his bid to become a world chess champion.
Full article here: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com
When would he be eligible for the US Championship if all goes according to plan?
Go Wesley go ! reach your goal
sometimes the truth hurts for the filipino politicians and so called leaders in sporting agencies. wesley should have been given top priority and nurtured and given all the tools he needed im order to compete in high level. he should have been given all the monetary support to play in europe as often as needed for exposure and experience. filipino politicians and leaders think of themselves first.. very corrupt.
congrats to wesley so as well for winning the north amercan chess open all by himself with a wide margin!!
Who is Lotis Key and why is So living with her? Does anyone know?
It’s all speculations from unreliable sources about Wesley’s current status.
Looks like some are impatient to get answers that led to these grapevine stories.
Time will tell when Wesley makes an official announcement.
In the meantime, sit back, relax and support him as he make a serious run to the top.
Who is Lotis Key? Is she his adviser? Is she his manager? Why is he living with her instead of his parents?
Lotis and her husband Renato,are two of the most decent people l know,l have been involved with Minnesota chess community for long time. Wesley is now part of our community and we welcome and support him. Had the privilege to know Wesley last two years,he is a fine young man.Whose love for Phillipine’s is never in doubt.He makes his own decisions, master of his own fate! To those who spread rumors,l say find something in life to do that might be productive to you or the community you live.
Since you said you know Wesley, why does he live with Lotis instead of his parents or other family members? Are you saying that it’s the sole decision of Wesley to ditch his teammates 6-8 weeks before the PanAm instead of leaving school after the semester? Are you saying that is the decision of a honorable and professional person? Just checking.
He has ditched no one, not his parents or team mates, respected parties, were aware of his departure. Webster has average rating of 2700 USCF, no other college team has that! Thats without Wesley. Proof is in the 2014 Pan Am results.His parents live in Canada, Now he is playing for USA, easier to be based out of the country he represents. Minnesota has a large phillipino community and strong chess community,that Wesley has got to know very well. Minnesota is a very upward mobile state he will be lacking nothing. May be it is hard for some to believe,but 21yr olds can make their own decisions,l know l have spent time with him. Renato and Lotis opened not only their home to Wesley,but also their hearts! We live in a free country he can walk out anytime he wants. Like any free man,it will be his choice to make. One can have family,without being related by blood.
Wesley will always be a proud Filipino at heart..let him find his own destiny…my god Mount Everest is front of him..good luck Wesley
wesley so would like to focus and be a full time chess professional. he thinks he can not do both studying and be a full time pro chess player. let us respect his decision and support him. no need to keep bringing out about leaving college or about him disrespecting his mother for not listening and staying in college. he is a grown man and does not need to live with his parents. in u.s once you are 18 you are considered adult. wesley so need to make a decision for himself. I think he made a good decision to further his career. look at other elite pro chess player some of them did not go to college or have dropped out. even if they fnish college their occupation is a full time chess player. so let us not bash wesley anymore. I think those who bash him are just jealous or hated him from what he did against corrupt ncfp.. go wesley!!!
Maybe Lotis Key did some mind boggling performance on Wesley So that he decided to ditch his former coach.
No body has done anything to Wesley,he is an adult who made his own decision about his life direction. To blame someone is not only wrong but unfair To spread lies.All things come back to those who spread these vicious rumors !
Hard to believe that people are criticizing his decision to pursue his passion in which he’s extremely good at. “Believe in yourself. Pursue your (American) dreams.” Isn’t that the mantra?