So bows out of WC after draw

MANILA, Philippines - Grandmaster Wesley So went all-out for a victory but ended up with a 23-move draw with Russian GM Evgeny Tomashevsky and crashed out of the World Chess Cup in Tromso, Norway Thursday.

So, who dropped a stinging 51-move defeat in their first match Wednesday, tried to complicate things in the Marshall Attack of the Ruy Lopez Opening but Tomashevsky simply fended off the former’s attack with precise countermoves to force the draw and seal the victory, 1.5-0.5, for a spot in the third round.

The Universiade gold medalist gave up a rook for bishop and two pawns to initiate an attack in the middle that failed to materialize as Tomashevsky controlled the center file with his hostile rooks.

Without any clear line for a counter in a slightly inferior position, the 19-year-old So accepted Tomashevsky draw offer on the 23rd, sealing the former’s exit.

The Filipino bet thus failed to surpass his second round effort two years ago when he lost to the tiebreaker to another Russian Sergey Kariakin.

So, who made it through the second round after disposing of Ukrainian-born Turkish GM Alexander Ipatov, 1.5-.5, made it as far as the fourth round in the 2009 edition before losing to another Russian GM Vladimir Malakov.

Tomashevsky, who barely advanced to the second round with a scrambling 5-4 win over Alejandro Ramirez, will face the winner between Levon Aronian and Igor Lysyj, tied at one point apiece.

Against So, Tomashevsky came out with the positional advantage and initiative after a super-sharp tactical exchange but So found a way to extricate himself out of trouble by giving up his rook for control of center.

But the Russian delayed the rook capture by consolidating his queenside rook into attacking position then seized the initiative after So went for the minor piece sacrifice.