So, Hungarian GM battle to 21-move draw

MANILA, Philippines – GM Wesley So fought Hungarian GM Zoltan Almasi to a 21-move draw of a King's Indian Attack to remain atop the heap after four rounds of the ACP Golden Chess Classic in Bergamo, Italy Wednesday night.

So, 20, attempted to give up a central pawn for kingside counterplay but Almasi, an eight-time Hungarian champion, didn't bite and after a series of exchanges including the queen swap, the two agreed to split the point.

After four rounds, So remained undefeated with three points, half a point ahead of Georgian GM Baadur Jobava, who trounced Italian Daniele Vocaturo in 34 moves.

The standoff pushed the Webster U standout a notch in the FIDE World rankings as he fell from No. 12 with a 2754.3 rating to No. 13 with a live rating of 2752.7.

So draws a fifth round bye and will take Baadur Jobava Friday night in a critical match between the tournament leaders.

So beat Russian Ian Nepomniachtchi and Vocaturo in the second and third rounds, respectively, while his other draw came against Israeli GM and organizing ACP president Emil Sutovski in the opening round.

Meanwhile, So will reportedly train with Hungarian GM Judit Polgar, his coach Susan's sister, for a week in Hungary after this tournament before proceeding to Tromso, Norway where he will coach the United States team in the Chess Olympiad from Aug. 1-15.