So regains share of lead, beats Halkias

MANILA, Philippines - GM Wesley So outplayed GM Stelios Halkias in their King’s Pawn Opening encounter to force a three-way tie for the lead after seven rounds of the Reykjavic Open chess championships in Iceland yesterday.

The Filipino ace used his deep understanding of the KPO to halt Halkias after 41 moves to notch his sixth point and join GM Pavel Eljanov of Ukraine and GM Grzegorz Gajewski of Poland in the lead heading to the last three rounds of the tournament.

Eljanov was held to a draw by GM Anish Giri of The Netherlands in a marathon 100-mover of a Reti Open while Gajewski beat GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave of France after 78 moves of a Gruenfeld.

So hopes to stay on top as he plays GM Yu Yangyi of China in one of the crucial eighth round matches while Eljanov and Gajewski clash for the lead.