Grandmaster Wesley So (ELO 2710) of the Philippines started his bid on a bright note in Day 1 of the 2013 World Chess Cup in Tromso, Norway on Sunday.
So, the 33th seed, checkmated GM Alexander Ipatov of Turkey (ELO 2584) after 45 moves of Staunton Variation, Petroff skirmish to take a head start. He needed only a draw on Monday to advance in the second round of the knock-out format.
However, 100th seed GM Oliver Barbosa (ELO 2571) and 110th seed GM Mark Paragua (ELO 2565) did not fare well with the favorites.
Barbosa lost to 29th seed GM Le Quang Liem of Vietnam (ELO 2702) after 43 moves of Slav Defense, Czech Defense while Paragua yielded to 28th seed GM Dmitry Jakovenko of Russia (ELO 2724) after 67 moves of Bastrikov Variation, Sicilian duel.
Both Barbosa and Paragua needed to win their game last night to level the count and force a rapid play off matches.
Filipino chess enthusiasts and players were confused yesterday after the official website of World Chess Cup put the score in favor of Paragua. However, in the blog of Susan Polgar and famous chessbase.com, they showed Jakovenko won against Paragua.
Mr. Reginald Tee, long-time benefactor of So pointed out that Jakovenko beat Paragua. GM Darwin Laylo, one of closiest friend of Paragua, currently competing in Kuala Lumpur Chess also pointed out Jakovenko defeated Paragua. Journeyman Rhobel Legaspi, another friend of Paragua said "Mark lost his game to Jakovenko." 12-time National Open champion GM Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. also said Jakovenko won the game.
Fide arbiter James Infiesto, NCFP coordinator in Mindanao said "there is always a factor of human error."
"I think the organizers of World Cup are the best people to explain what happened and should try to avoid committing the same mistake," insisted Infiesto, Filipino arbiter in the ASEAN Age Group plus in Changmai, Thailand and Asian Indoor Games in Incheon, Korea. -Marlon Bernardino-
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