Philippines, 02 Apr 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


WORLD CHESS CUP UPDATE: WESLEY SO DOWNED IVANCHUK!


PhilBoxing.com




(SPECIAL TO PHILBOXING.COM) Philippine chess phenom Grandmaster Wesley So scored the biggest victory in his young career by winning his mini-match 1.5-0.5 against the mighty GM Vassily Ivanchuk of the Ukraine in the second round of the ongoing FIDE World Chess Cup currently being held at Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia. Earlier today, the 16-year old So held Ivanchuk to a draw in their second game to secure the victory in their match after the former won their first game. With the win, So progresses to the next round of the competition which is an integral part of the World Chess Championship Cycle 2009-2011.

Out-rated by almost 100 points, So (with an ELO rating of 2640) defeated the venerable Ivanchuk (currently with an ELO rating of 2739) in their first game by stoutly defending with the Black pieces in a complicated French. Ivanchuk could have taken a draw by perpetual but pressed for more and was forced to capitulate when So was able to beat the storm and consolidated his position for a winning material advantage. Needing just a draw in the second game to ensure victory in the match (which would not be a simple task against such a formidable player as Ivanchuk), So, playing with the White pieces, chose the Exchange Variation of the Slav Defence and kept things under control by keeping the initiative with little risk. Ivanchuk could not find a way to complicate things and the game soon petered into a draw in the 46th move of a balanced Queen ending.

Incidentally, Ivanchuk was not the only big name eliminated in the second round. Joining him towards the exit door were super GMs Teimour Radjabov (ELO 2748) of Azerbaijan and Alexander Morozevich (ELO 2750) of Russia who were both upset by their lower-rated opponents. Some other top candidates as Alexei Shirov (ELO 2719) of Spain (formerly of Latvia) and Peter Svidler (ELO 2754) of Russia were forced to go into speed play-off today (at 6 p.m. Manila time) after they drew their respective matches. The exit of these players would obviously increase the dark-horses’ (such as Wesley So) chances of eventually winning the tournament although stiff competition might come from the Chinese contingent who are doing very well in this competition.

So qualified for the second round by defeating GM Gadir Guseinov (ELO 2625) of Azerbaijan in their first round match. The two split their two regular games and the match went into a rapid play-off where So eventually scored a brilliant 3-0 victory.

The two other Filipino participants of the tournament were not as lucky, losing their first round assignments to their higher-rated opponents. GM Rogelio Antonio (ELO 2574) ran into GM Gata Kamsy (ELO 2695) of the US and lost 0.5-1.5. Antonio put up a spirited fight in their second game where he was pressing much of the action but Kamsky managed to hold the game for a draw. GM Darwin Laylo (ELO 2552) lost to GM David Navara (ELO 2707) of Czechoslovakia but not after extending the match into the rapid play-off where Navara eventually won 3-1 after the two split their two regular games in the mini-match where Laylo won the second game with a fine effort of attacking play. Ironically, Laylo was on his way to winning the second game of the rapid play-off after the two players drew the first game but unfortunately let Navara off the hook and escaped with a draw. Affected with such result or not, Laylo proceeded to lose the next two games to hand his opponent the victory.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salvador Lopez.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Melvin the Avenger
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 02 Apr 2025
  • WORLD-RANKED LIGHTWEIGHT ARMANDO MARTINEZ RABI TO FACE ALBERTO GUEVARA IN MAIN EVENT OF FISTS OF FURY 6
    , Wed, 02 Apr 2025
  • Carlos Flowers Shines on Day One for Team USA in World Boxing Cup: Brazil 2025
    , Wed, 02 Apr 2025
  • Tellez Sisters Reina and Gabriela Sign with Boxlab Promotions
    , Wed, 02 Apr 2025
  • Arena Grand Master Mohamad Sacar sweeps 1st Vientiane Open FIDE Rated Standard Chess Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 02 Apr 2025
  • Unbeaten junior middleweight prospect Anthony “ATV” Velazquez Ready to bust out of New England
    , Tue, 01 Apr 2025
  • BOOTS VS. STANIONIS – ‘MAKE THE DAYS COUNT’ PREMIERES NOW
    , Tue, 01 Apr 2025
  • “THE FILIPINO FLASH” NONITO DONAIRE TO MAKE FIRST VISIT TO CANASTOTA FOR 2025 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND FESTIVITIES
    , Tue, 01 Apr 2025
  • Tokyo Olympian Rashida Ellis signs long term management contract with Trifon Petrov
    , Tue, 01 Apr 2025
  • Fightbook Adds Brendan Gibbons to Lead Athlete & Fan Activation Strategy
    , Tue, 01 Apr 2025
  • BOXLAB PROMOTIONS RETURNS TO ORLANDO FOR ACTION-PACKED FIGHT NIGHT ON APRIL 18
    , Tue, 01 Apr 2025
  • Takeaways From Last Weekend's Fights in Japan
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Mon, 31 Mar 2025
  • Lope Tenorio: El Bulakeño Matón (The Bulacan Brawler)
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Mon, 31 Mar 2025
  • Luka Doncic's Shock Factor for LAL Dissipating? Dallas Mavs Getting Playoff Bid Boost From AD
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Mon, 31 Mar 2025
  • Jerusalem Easily Repeats Over Shigeoka, Spoils A Huge Boxing Weekend for Japan
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Mon, 31 Mar 2025
  • THE INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME REMEMBERS LIVINGSTONE BRAMBLE
    , Mon, 31 Mar 2025
  • IIEE GenX 3-peat, SAEP Millennial Champ in PTC WED Basketball
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 31 Mar 2025
  • Jerusalem dominates Shigeoka in rematch, retains WBC World title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 30 Mar 2025
  • AND STILL! WILLIAM "EL CAMARÓN" ZEPEDA RETAINS WBC INTERIM LIGHTWEIGHT WORLD TITLE WITH MAJORITY DECISION VICTORY AGAINST TEVIN "2X" FARMER
    , Sun, 30 Mar 2025
  • A Second Coat of Paint: Mikaela Mayer Defeats Sandy Ryan in Action-Packed Rematch
    , Sun, 30 Mar 2025
  • Cartel, 5 others share lead after Day 1 of 6th AQ Prime Standard Open Chess Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 30 Mar 2025
  • Jerusalem, Shigeoka successfully make weight for their WBC World Title rematch
    , Sat, 29 Mar 2025
  • Rematches Rule the Day with Zepeda/Farmer & Mayer/Ryan on ESPN and DAZN
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 29 Mar 2025
  • Three Lions Promotions Official Weights from Hamilton, Canada
    , Sat, 29 Mar 2025
  • Weights from Las Vegas: Mikaela Mayer - 146 lbs., Sandy Ryan - 145.5 lbs.
    , Sat, 29 Mar 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.