Wesley draws last game, earns title, higher rating

MANILA, Philippines - Grandmaster Wesley So settled for a quick 20-move draw in a Slav encounter with Italian Sabino Brunello to formalize his claim on the ACP Golden Chess Classic crown in Bergamo, Italy last night.

So finished the six-round competition unbeaten with 4.5 points, highlighted by victories over Russian GM Ian Nepomniachtchi and Georgian GM Baadur Jobava.

Opting to play it safe, the 20-year-old So went for the safe line of the Slav, forcing a series of exchanges before offering the draw that the untitled Brunello accepted, giving the Filipino the victory, his second in the year after ruling the Capablanca Memorial in Cuba last month.

So impressive was the Webster U standout’s performance that he finished with a spectacular tournament performance rating of 2844 to move to No. 12 in the FIDE world rankings with a live rating of 2755.

He, however, could have gained more rating points with a final round victory but he decided to just take it easy on Brunello after playing five grueling matches.

So, meanwhile, will be back in training with his coach Susan Polgar’s sister, Judit, in Hungary for a week before leaving for Tromso, Norway where he will coach the United States chess team in the 41st Olympiad set Aug. 1-15.

After So switched federations, the Philippines was forced to tap IM Paulo Bersamina to join GMs Oliver Barbosa, Julio Catalino Sadorra, John Paul Gomez and Eugene Torre in the Olympiad.