Philippines, 05 Jul 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


BREAKING NEWS: DRAW ENABLES SO TO ADVANCE TO NEXT ROUND


PhilBoxing.com


Filipino chess prodigy Wesley So got a hard earned draw against 2007 World Chess Cup winner and former world title challenger Gata Kamsky of the U.S. in the second game of their mini-match of the third round of the 2009 World Chess Cup held in Khanty Mansiysk, Russia.

So already won the first game and this draw enables him to go to the fourth round in a tournament where nobody expected the 16 year old to advance so far.

So played with the white pieces and opened with 1. c4 (P-QB4). Kamsky responded with the Leningrad variation of the Dutch defense. Kamsky played aggressively but So wound up a pawn ahead after 19 moves. So slowly improved his piece position and nursed his small advantage in a two rooks with one bishop of opposite colors endgame. On the 32nd move Kamsky?s rook was trapped along on the h file after grabbing a pawn.

So actually had the advantage when the game ended in the 42nd move but a draw was all he needed to advance. He will play the winner of the Vladimir Malakhov vs Pavel Eljanov match.

So won the first game of his third round mini-match against Kamsky with the black pieces employing the French defense. The Filipino entered time control with two pawns ahead. So exhibited nerves of steel in the pressure packed moments of the endgame until Kamsky resigned on the 53rd move. So had advantage in this second game as Kamsky was in a must win situation with the black pieces.
In the first round So beat GM Gadir Guseinov of Azerbaijan and then scored an earth shaking upset of highly ranked GM Vasily Ivanchuk of the Ukraine. It was So?s French defense that proved decisive in his second round match-up victory against the world number 12. Ivanchuk was so heart broken with his loss, he has threatened to quit professional chess.
In his interview on the website chessdom.com , So said that he was just lucky against Ivanchuk but he played well in his first game against Kamsky.
?I caught him at the opening, he spent a lot of time.? So said about the U.S. Grandmaster.

In 2007 So became the youngest grandmaster in Philippines history at 14 years and one month old. He earned his ticket to the World Cup by placing 2nd during Zone 3.3 Chess Championship which was held last July in Vietnam. He is the country?s highest ranked player.

Kamsky spent his early chess years playing in the former Soviet Union before moving to the U.S. In 1996, Kamsky played a 20-game match against Anatoly Karpov for the FIDE World Chess Championship 1996 title in Kalmykia, losing 7.5?10.5. He was inactive for 8 years but won the Chess World Cup in 2007. This year he lost his match against Veselin Topalov for the right to challenge Viswanathan Anand for the World Chess Championship 2010.

Unlike other top international players, So does not have a personal coach. The Philippine Chess Federation and private corporate sponsors should look into this. So is a diamond in the rough but could wind up being our next ?once in a lifetime? gem.
Just like Manny Pacquiao.



Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • The Queens of Philippine Boxing are Training in Cebu
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 04 Jul 2025
  • Raising the Game: Jean Henri Lhuillier’s Unmatched Impact on Philippine Tennis
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 04 Jul 2025
  • GM Eugene Torre to grace the Asenso Ozamis Open Chess Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 04 Jul 2025
  • The Second Rise of Jesse Espinas
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 04 Jul 2025
  • Boxing Golden Age Comparison - Philippines and Japan
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 04 Jul 2025
  • Kittipong, Magdalena, Kim, Kritiphak Claim Wins in Brico Santig's Show in Bangkok
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 04 Jul 2025
  • Kremlev, Crawford, Fury Launch IBA's Golden Era of International Boxing
    , Fri, 04 Jul 2025
  • International Master Angelo Young stays on course for GM norm
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 04 Jul 2025
  • Robby Gonzales and Yoseline Perez Progress to Semifinals at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Fri, 04 Jul 2025
  • Fireworks Ahead: Magsayo vs Mata in Prelims of Pacquiao vs Barrios
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 03 Jul 2025
  • Japan's Boxing Golden Age Remains Limited to the Lower Weights
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 03 Jul 2025
  • No issues with fight ref
    By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 03 Jul 2025
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: Grand Muay Thai event in Verona
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Thu, 03 Jul 2025
  • Morelle McCane and Rene Camacho Advance to Quarterfinals of World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Thu, 03 Jul 2025
  • 3 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13, in Las Vegas
    , Thu, 03 Jul 2025
  • ESPN Original Series The Fight Life Returns for Season Two on July 7
    , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • TOP-RATED LIGHTWEIGHT KO ARTIST ARMANDO MARTINEZ RABI RETURNS
    , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • Amazing Muay Thai WBC Festival 2025
    , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • Borromeo Leads Winners of the Philippine Speedcubing Championships
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • What If Pacquiao Defeats Barrios?
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • Team USA Earns Three Wins on Day Two of World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • Women's Boxing Champion Signs with Combate Global, Still Aims For WBC Absolute Gold
    , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • Sanman Boxing Presents Hard-Hitting Prospect Abubakar Yanon Set to Challenge for Philippine Boxing Federation Flyweight Title in Malungon, Sarangani Province
    , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • Boxing Returns to Tropicana Atlantic City, July 25
    , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 30 June 2025: Zurdo Outpoints Dorticos, Keeps WBA/WBO Cruiser Titles; Mbilli Stops Sulecki in 1; Wins by Kuroki, Wilder and Jake Paul
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 01 Jul 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.