MANILA -- The Ukrainian super Grandmaster who was eliminated the 2009 World Chess Cup following a shocking upset to chess prodigy GM Wesley So is now strongly contemplating retirement after his loss to the Filipino.

Vassily Ivanchuk (ELO 2739), one of the leading chess players in the world, was emotionally bitter after being outplayed by a relatively “unknown” So (ELO 2640), 1.5-0.5 in the second round of the World Chess Cup.

“From now on I should forget about any serious aims in chess. I don't need anything from chess anymore,” said Ivanchuk in the tournament’s official website.

The Ukranian, who is currently ranked No. 12 in the world, still could not understand how he lost to the 16-year-old So, the No. 7 Junior chess player in the world.

“I would take it easy if my opponent would be much stronger than me, or he will be better prepared. But my loss was so stupid, it is a destiny sign, which screams: ‘Vasya, leave it, it is not your business’,” said Ivanchuk.

So beat the Ukrainian in the first game of their match after 39 pushes of a French duel using the black pieces.

“In the first game all went ok, I was about to win. I was almost sure that I am winning! And then… Then I just went crazy,” said Ivanchuk.

So then secured a draw in their second meeting and became the first Filipino chess player to make it into the 3rd Round of the World Chess Cup.

“In the second game I was trying to make a balance, but I missed something,” said Ivanchuk. “My opponent, by the way, played very badly.”

Ivanchuk achieved chess world fame at the age of 21 when he won top place in the 1991 Linares tournament, where he outplayed the likes of Garry Kasparov.

So, meanwhile, is one of the biggest names in the Philippine chess scene. He achieved his GM status at the age of 14, becoming the 7th youngest person in the world to receive such title. He also won top place in several international tournaments including the Juniors division of the 2009 Aeroflot Open and Group C of 2009 Corus Chess competition.

So has to face defending champion Super GM Gata Kamsky (ELO 2695) of the United States in Round 3.

Kamsky-So match
National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) president Prospero “Butch” Pichay, Jr. said whatever result will come out from the Kamsky match is already an achievement for So.

“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 Rodriguez si Kamsky,” said 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.” With reports from Marlon Bernardino and ugra-chess.ru