MANILA, Philippines – Filipino Grandmaster (GM) Wesley So settled for a draw with British GM David Howell after 20 moves of French defense using disadvantageous black pieces in the 12th and penultimate round of the 72nd Corus International Chess Championship.

The 16-year-old chess player dropped out of contention Saturday night (Manila Time) at the De Moriaan Community Centre in Wijk Aan Zee, Netherlands.

Going to the last round on Sunday (Manila time), So had 7 points for solo 5th place.

His 11th round tormentor, Dutch champion GM Anish Giri, inched closer to the title with 8.5 points, a full point ahead against compatriot GM Erwin L'Ami, GM Ni Hua of China and top seed GM Arkadij Naiditsch of Germany.

So could have possibly placed himself in the leadership board if he had beaten Howell.

“Krusyal ‘yong laro ni GM Wesley kay Howell. Kung nanalo sana siya may pag-asa pa sana siya makisalo sa championships, depende sa magiging resulta ng last round ni GM Anish at magdedesisyon sa tie break,” said National Master (NM) Roberto Suelo, Jr., who served as So’s first coach.

“Ngayon wala na kasing pag-asa 1.5 points ang lamang ni GM Anish,” added Suelo.

So goes up against Woman Grandmaster/ International Master Anna Muzychuk of Ukraine using the advantageous white pieces on Sunday. Muzychuk dealt Giri his only loss so far last Tuesday.

So’s Netherlands trip was backed by National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) President/Chairman Prospero Pichay, Jr. and Filway Marketing Inc. CEO/President Hector Tagaysay. Longtime manager Reginald Tee served as So’s 2nd trainer – by Marlon Bernardino

Corus Group B Standings after Round 12:

8.5 points - GM Anish Giri (Netherlands)
7.5 points - GM Erwin L'Ami (Netherlands), GM Ni Hua (China), GM Arkadij Naiditsch (Germany)
7 points - GM Wesley So (Philippines)
6 points - GM Pentala Harikrishna (India), GM David Howell (England), GM Parimarjan Negi (India)
5.5 points - GM Emil Sutovsky (Israel)
5 points - WGM Anna Muzychuk (Ukraine), GM Liviu- Dieter Nisipeanu (Romania)
4.5 points - GM Dimitri Reinderman (Netherlands), GM Tomi Nyback (Finland)
3.5 points - GM Varuzhan Akobian (United States)