In spite of the unsavory and unfavorable developments affecting the nation – natural calamities, political intrigues and corruption, fears of the pandemic, killings and murder, etc. – Pinoys have a legitimate reason to celebrate and enjoy contemporary times.
Even for just a fleeting moment, Fil-Am super GM Wesley So warmed our hearts with his triumph in the inaugural 2022 Chess.com Global Championship in Toronto, Canada, an on-line world-wide competition that included the world’s best pawn pushers – former world champions et al.
Without losing a game in the 8-game final match up, with his solid positional play and excellent understanding of elite chess strategies, the Bacoor, Cavite born So soundly thrashed 18-year old Indian GM Nihal Sarin, 4.5pts to 1.5 pts., with two rounds to spare.
In the semifinals, So convincingly walloped Nakamura the newly-minted Fischer Random World king, 5-3.
Although the one-on-one duel finished early dawn (Manila time), monitoring and watching our countryman Wesley conquering his Indian opponent was enough compensation for staying that late.
Not only was Wesley’s victory huge in terms of prize money (he received $200,000 and a handsome trophy) and prestige. Sarin took home $100,000.
It was huge because organizers of the tournament creatively made sure the cream of the crop – the best of the best – were all invited to take part in a qualifying knockout step ladder procedure.
From a round of 62, it was whittled down to 32, 16, 8, 4 and then the finals.
Save for Norway’s (resigned world titleholder) Magnus Carlsen, ex world titlists Vishy Anand, Vladimir Kramnik, Vesselin Topalov, and title contenders Ding Liren, Ian Nepomniathtchi, Fabiano Caruana, Hikaru Nakamura, Maxime Vachier LaGrave, etc. were among the participants.
Again, Wesley’s conquest came after his so-so performances in the 2022 US championship in St. Louis, Missouri and the much recent Fischer Random World Chess tilt in Reykjavik, Iceland where he was respectively the defending champion.
The question may now be asked: Is Wesley So now capable and ready to make it to the World Championship?
If you nudge me, I’d say “Yes.”
For the record, Wesley has defeated and inflicted a loss on everyone in the horizon.
Name them: Carlsen, Anand, Kasparov, Kramnik, Ivanchuk, Caruana, Nakamura, Liren, Nepo, MVL, etc., etc.
Who has the three-time US champ not beaten yet?
While others bring along a second GM to help them analyze games, study opponent’s openings and formulate specific strategies versus specific foes, Wesley goes to highly competitive tournaments alone – with only adoptive mother and guardian Lotis Key in tow.
He has won almost every prestigious tournament there is.
Among them, Tata Steel, Wijk Ann Zee, Grand Chess Tour.
Just the Candidates stand on the way.
Amazing how Wesley has developed an exceptional spartan attitude in this mind game where geniuses like Capablanca, Morphy, Bobby Fischer, Kasparov and their ilk thrive and succeed.
CONGRATS WES! YOU MAKE EVERY PINOY PROUD! (Email feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com,) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!
