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GM WESLEY SO
By Kristel Satumbaga
Grandmaster Wesley So, now representing the United States after a fight with some local chess officials, spoiled the 30th current world champion Magnus Carlsen’s birthday and ruled the Champions Chess Tour Skilling Open with a draw early Tuesday.
So, 27, triumphed in the first of two blitzkrieg games and tied the second to win the title over Carlsen.
The win was worth So $ 30,000 (approximately P1.5 million) in an event held online.
“I have to apologize to Magnus for ruining his birthday,” So said during a post-game interview with the host app chess24.
The victory was reminiscent of So’s 13.5-2.5 conquest of Carlsen in winning the Fischer-Random world title last year, showcasing the Cavite-born’s ability to challenge the world’s No. 1 Norwegian player for winning his duel.
In the first set of Monday’s two four-game matches, So and Carlsen won both of their games with White by a score of 2-2.
It was different in the second set as Carlsen and So won with Black in the first two games and then fought to a tie in the last two to end with another 2-2 draw, sending the duel into a blitzkrieg of two games.
In that crucial showdown, it was So who seized the opportunities he was given by winning the first game as White and escaping with a draw from a losing position to carve out a surprise victory.
Carlsen appeared to be on his way to taking the second blitzkrieg playoff game and forcing an “Armageddon” final playoff after sacrificing a piece for two dangerous connected pawns on the kingside.
But the standard, fast and blitz world champion could not capitalize on his advantage and allowed So to achieve a truce that secured him the title.
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