So shares lead

MANILA, Philippines - Wesley So outplayed Hungarian Richard Rapport and fashioned out a 56-move victory in their Irregular Opening game to seize an early share of lead with three others at the start of the 76th Tata Steel Masters in Wijk aan Zee, the Netherlands Saturday night.

So, 20, pounced on Rapport’s ploy to deviate from opening norms to complicate play as the Filipino bet equalized and gained positional advantage early behind his central pawns that neutralized the latter’s kingside attack.

So, coming off a strong finish in last December’s Pan American Games in Lubbock, Texas where he steered Webster U to the crown and emerged the best individual performer with a six-of-six score, then sacrificed an e-pawn at endgame to gain a piece.

So, seeded eighth in the 12-man, Category 20 (2743 average rating) tournament, emerged with a light-colored bishop against his foe’s two pawns, forcing Rapport, the second lowest ranked player here, to resign on the 56th.

He won despite barely making it to the start of the tournament.