So survives Cuban, settles for draw

MANILA, Philippines – Wesley So survived Cuban Lazaro Bruzon's sacrificial attack with a 22-move draw in an English Opening to remain atop the heap with four points after six rounds of the Capablanca Memorial 2014 at the Habana Riviera in La Havana, Cuba Wednesday.

Refreshed after a one-day rest, the 20-year-old So, playing black, bit into everything the daredevil Bruzon gave up to end up with a queen for thee minor pieces but had to deal with his uncastled king stranded at the center and inactive rooks.

Bruzon then threw his bishop, galloping knights and marauding rooks into So's exposed king to escape with a draw via perpetual check, their second after the two also split the point in their first meeting of this 11-day, double-round tournament being done in memory of former Cuban world champion Jose Raul Capablanca.

The draw gave So half a point and another day to stay at the helm with four points, half a point ahead of top seed Leinier Dominguez Perez of Cuba, who halved the point with former World Challenger Vassily Ivanchuk of Ukraine also via perpetual check.

The Webster U standout will face Spaniard Francisco Vallejo Pons, the same player he defeated in their first round meeting five days back.

The draw kept So's live rating to 2740 from 2731 early this month, or five points away from crashing into the world's Top 15.

Ranged against foes who have won this annual event at least once, So is also getting closer from topping this event for the first time.

Ivanchuk won here a record six times, Dominguez thrice and Vallejo, Bruzon and defending champion Zoltan Almasi of Hungary once.