‘Kamsky clash like Pacquiao vs Cotto’

MANILA – Filipino teen Grandmaster (GM) Wesley So (with an ELO rating of 2640) advanced to the third round of the World Chess Cup by knocking out Ukrainian Super GM Vassily Ivanchuk (ELO 2739) Wednesday in Russia.

The 16-year-old chess whiz kayoed Ivanchuk, 1.5-0.5, by holding him to a draw in their second match at the Khanty-Mansiysk Festival of Arts.
 
So earlier beat his Ukrainian foe in the first game of their match after 39 pushes of a French duel using the black pieces.

The draw (46 moves of a Queens Pawn Game using the white pieces) spurred So’s progress to the third round where he will face defending World Chess Cup champion Super GM Gata Kamsky (ELO 2695) of the United States.

Kamsky eliminated Filipino GM Rogelio “Joey” Antonio, Jr. (ELO 2574) in the first round and Chinese GM Zhou Weiqi (2603) in the second round.

Historic day for RP chess

National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) president Prospero “Butch” Pichay, Jr. lauded So’s performance in the World Chess Cup.

“Anuman ang mangyari kay Wesley sa third round kontra kay Kamsky ay malaking karangalan na ang hatid niya sa bayan... Pero [I] hope makalusot din sana si Wesley sa third round,” said Pichay.

Former Olympian national master (NM) Glenn Bordonada remarked: “As a friend commented, this is a historic day for Philippine chess. It recalls to mind Torre's win over Mikhail Tal in Leningrad.”

International arbiter and national master Erwin Carag also praised So: “Wesley So beating Vassily Ivanchuk is just like Manny Pacquiao beating Oscar de la Hoya, a legend.”

“Now, Wesley against Gata, will be like Pacquiao vs Hatton or Pacquiao vs Cotto? My feeling is Wesley can topple Kamsky. Pag white si Kamsky, paghandaan ni Wesley ang London System. Tinalo dati ni late IM chess artist Ruben Rodrgiuez si Kamsky,” commented Carag.

American GM Susan Polgar, meantime, commended the Filipino chess prodigy. “The more games the talented Wesley plays against world class opponents, the better and more confident he gets.”

The former prodigy added: “Well done, Wesley! With proper training, experience, and opportunity, I have no doubt that he will be an elite player for years to come.” – By Marlon Bernardino