Philippines, 01 Jul 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


WESLEY’S RUN IN CORUS B CHESS ENDS AFTER LOSS TO GIRI


PhilBoxing.com




MANILA, PHILIPPINES -- Wesley Barbasa So’s astounding run in the ongoing 72nd Corus International Chess Championship came to an end after the Filipino grandmaster lost his eleventh round match against Corus B Tournament leader Dutch GM Anish Giri on Friday night (Manila Time) that could potentially decide the winner of the tournament, being held at the De Moriaan Community Centre in Wijk Aan Zee, Netherlands.

The 16-year-old So played the King’s Pawn Game (e4), not his usual Queen’s Pawn Game (d4), and the 15-year-old Giri responded with the Petroff defense which ended into a 36 pushes.

Giri, who was born to a Nepalese father and Russian mother, launched an attack and sacrificed his knight then his bishop to open up lines towards So’s king. So defended well but seemed to have inaccuracies.

“Nais pasukin ni GM Wesley (So) ang Sicilian defense ni GM Anish (Giri) kaya nag desisyon siyang mag King’s Pawn Game kaysa sa Queen’s Pawn Game. Y’un nga lamang wise din si Anish, nag Petroff defense. Mahirap kasi pag pumasok ka sa preparation. Pero maganda ang attitude ni Wesley na go for a win. Hope manalo siya sa last two round,” said 1996 Philippine Junior champion NM Roberto Suelo Jr., first trainer/coach of So.

This was So’s first loss in the tournament after three wins and seven draws and was stuck at 6.5 points, the same output of top seed German Arkadij Naiditsch who held into a draw against England GM David Howell after 61 moves of Ruy Lopez Exchange.

Going to the last two round, Giri is still on top with 8 points, full point ahead against compatriot GM Erwin L'Ami and Chinese GM Ni Hua. L’Ami halved the point with Ukrainian WGM/IM Anna Muzychuk (who dealt Giri his only loss so far last Tuesday) after 53 moves of French exchange while Ni split the point against Indian GM Pentala Harikrishna after 59 moves of Slav defense.

Wesley's Netherlands trip is backed up by National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) President/Chairman Prospero Pichay, Jr. and Filway Marketing Inc. CEO/President Hector Tagaysay.

Long-time manager/businessman Reginald Tee, served as second/ trainer of Wesley in Holland chess meet.

Wesley’s 12th round match on Saturday will be against Howell using the black pieces and his 13th and final round match on Sunday against Muzychuk using the white pieces.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • 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
  • IIEE Titans secured Finals in BPBL, IIEE Chessmasters retain on top level in Bundesliga
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • MARIO BARRIOS LAS VEGAS MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES
    , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • CATTERALL AND EUBANK LAY THEIR 'CARDS ON THE TABLE' AHEAD OF MANCHESTER SHOWDOWN
    , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • Dumadag holds chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • Manny Pacquiao's Case for the Greatest of All Time
    By Ace Freeman, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • DavNor Adventure Race 2025 set July 2
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Gumila rules Antipolo rapid chess tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • FULL CIRCLE AT WILD CARD: Jhay Otamias’ Tribute to a Fighter and a Fanbase
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Vince Paras Wins by 4th Round KO Over Sarawut Thawornkham to Capture the IBF Pan Pacific Super Flyweight Title
    , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Team USA's Quest for Gold Set in Stone at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • SBA SEASON 2 DRAFT UNVEILS RISING STARS AND STRATEGIC MOVES AS TEAMS COMPLETE THEIR ROSTERS
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Filipino Elwin Retanal wins Saudi rapid chess meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Jake Paul Earns Boxing Legitimacy with Dominant Decision Over Julio Cesar Chávez Jr.
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Zurdo Ramirez Defends Cruiserweight Crowns with Unanimous Decision Over Dorticos
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Vince Paras Faces Sarawut Thawornkham Today at Venue 88 in Gensan
    , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • USA Elite High Performance Team Sets Sights on Gold at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Alekhine Nouri bags silver in blitz
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Paul vs. Chavez Jr: Can Julio Derail Jake Paul?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Dr. KO: Christian Mbilli Stops Maciej Sulecki in 1
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • GOLDEN BOY SIGNS UNDEFEATED MIDDLEWEIGHT BLUE-CHIP PROSPECT AMARI JONES
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Paul vs. Chávez Jr. is a Go: All Fighters Make Weight in Anaheim Ahead of High-Stakes Bout
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • IIEE Chessmasters Overall Champion in the International Bundesliga with GM Joey Antonio
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Kittipong of Thailand Battles Bhavesh of India in Brico Santig's Exciting Show in Bangkok
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Weights from Philadelphia
    , Sat, 28 Jun 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.