Tata Steel Chess: Wesley So finishes tie for fifth; Carlsen is champion

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Final Standings: (13 round tournament, single robin format)

9.5 points---GM Magnus Carlsen (Norway), GM Anish Giri (Netherlands)

8.5 points---GM Vladimir Kramnik (Russia), GM Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (Azerbaijan)

8.0 points---GM Viswanathan Anand (India), GM Wesley Barbasa So (Philippines)

7.5 points---GM Sergey Karjakin (Russia)

6.0 points---GM Peter Svidler (Russia)

5.5 points---GM Wei Yi (China)

5.0 points---GM Gawain Jones (England), GM Fabiano Caruana (USA), GM Maxim Malatkov (Russia)

3.5 points---GM Baskaran Adhiban (India)

3.0 points---GM Hou Yifan (China)

FILIPINO Grandmaster (GM) Wesley Barbasa So defeated Chinese Grandmaster (GM) Hou Yifan in the last round after 30 moves of English Opening to settle for a tie for fifth place with Indian Grandmaster (GM) Viswanathan Anand at the conclusion of 2018 Tata Steel chess tournament being held in Hiversum, the Netherlands on Sunday.

Anand, meantime halved the point with Azerbaijan Grandmaster (GM) Shakhriyar Mamedyarov after 67 moves of Queens Gambit declined.

However, Anand who honed his chess skills in Manila in the mid 80's under the guidance of the late National Master (NM) Victor Cabrido, won overall 5th place after edging fellow 8.0 pointer So in a tie break points. The Bacoor, Cavite native So, who migrated in the United States to pursue his professional chess career, landed at overall 6th place.

National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Vice President Atty. Cliburn Anthony A. Orbe on Monday congratulated Wesley Barbasa So for his fifth place finish in the just ended 2018 Tata Steel chess tournament being held in Hiversum, the Netherlands saying his triumph once again proved that Filipinos are indeed "world class."

"Once again, congratulations Wesley (So). You have made every Filipino proud of your triumph," said Atty. Orbe, founding president of the newly-formed Philippine Executive Chess Association (PECA).