Wesley tops Millionaire Open, bags P4.4 M

MANILA, Philippines - Grandmaster Wesley So trounced Webster University teammate Ray Robson in their two-game rapid chess playoff to rule the Millionaire Chess Open and pocket the top purse of $100,000 (P4.4 million) in Las Vegas Monday (Tuesday in Manila).

The 21-year-old So, who has opted to play for the US Chess Federation after a fallout with the Philippine sports officials, drew his first finals match with Robson but outplayed his 19-year-old rival in the next to complete his romp in the event which offered the biggest pot money in the history of open tournaments.

Since So is now playing for the US, the Americans could have two players in the FIDE Top 10 list for the first time in 40 years when the next rating is released in November. 

Currently at No. 14, So is expected to gain precious point from his Las Vegas win and barge into the Top 10 where Hiraku Nakamura is at No. 9.

In 1974, Bobby Fischer led the ratings with Lubomir Kavalek at No. 10.

The Millionaire Chess, the brainchild of GM Maurice Ashley and the entrepreneur Amy Lee, staked $1 million in prize money and featured an interesting format over six different sections. The starting fee was $1,000 with nearly 600 players, including So, signing up.

After a seven Swiss System round, four players qualified for the rapid chess playoff with Robson and So moving to the final match after eliminating two Chinese players in the semifinals.

The two finalists play for the Webster U team coached by Susan Polgar. They won the Intercollegiate championship three times in a row.