GM Wesley So shares the Saint Louis title with Magnus Carlsen, takes P2.25M

Grandmaster Wesley So posted four wins in the past six rounds to share the 2020 Saint Louis Rapid and Blitz title with reigning world champion Magnus Carlsen on Saturday.

One point behind Carlsen after 12 rounds of blitz, So scored five points to forge a tie for the crown with 24 identical points.

It was a strong finish for So, who had to beat Russian Ian Nepomniachtchi, Armenian Levon Aronian and Indian Pentala Harikrishna to catch up with Carlsen.

Carlsen had four points in the last six rounds.

So he also edged out American Leinier Domínguez Pérez and tied with Alireza Firouzja of Iran and Alexander Grischuk of Russia during that last-gasp uproar.

With the victory, both So and Carlsen pocketed $ 45,000 (approximately P2.25 million) each.

Hikaru Nakamura was third with 21 points.

It was an improvement for So after finishing fifth at the Fischer Rapid Champions Showdown led by Carlsen and also hosted by the Saint Louis Chess Club in Missouri last week.

But unlike that one, So made sure Carlsen didn’t just enjoy the loot.