Philippines, 01 Jun 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


PHILIPPINES STRIKES GOLD IN 27th SUMMER UNIVERSIADE!


PhilBoxing.com



So.
THE Philippines' Wesley So struck gold by winning the chess title by triple tiebreak against the best students of the world in the 27th edition of the Universiade in Kazan, Russia Monday.

So finished with 6.5 points out of nine games and topped the event on tiebreak along with eight others in a hotly-contested event that was broken by a sudden change in rules--the Armageddon playoff.

How worthy, heavy and significant is the gold medal finish accomplished by So? For Russians, Europeans and practically every country batting for the "most brilliant mind" sub-title, the Philippines' So had to beat GM Zaven Andrasian of Armenia by a deciding extra game and won with flourish!

So tied with Andrasian and GM Li Chao of China in the first tiebreak but emerged with a higher Buccholz and performance score. Outright, he could have copped the gold medal and claim the first-ever gold for the Philippines.

However, Russian officials came up with a new rule to resolve the tie--the Armageddon--which would give time odds to whoever won the toss. The "strange" new rule puzzled So's supporters but the Filipino gallantly fought on. Andrasian chose the white pieces but So beat him soundly to win the most coveted title.

The first edition of the Universiade started in 1959 in Turin, Italy. This year's edition has 27 sports disciplines from the track to the swimming pool and to the field and the hard courts.

The lone gold put the Philippines in the medal standings at 40th spot alongside the United Kingdom, Austria and Belgium with one gold apiece, among others. Russia lorded it over with a total of 126 gold medals.

So, who is the top player of the Webster University chess team in the US, was tied with five others prior to the last round. With a little stroke of luck, all the other games in the top three boards finished in similar hard-fought draws as his Sicilian game with Andrasian in the ninth round.

Second seed Evgeny Alekseev of Russia (Elo 2714) drew with GM Ma Qun of China, while defending champion GM Li also halved the point with GM Maxim Matlakov of Russia.

Other 5.5 pointers caught up and shared first place with victories in the lower boards. GM Zhou Jianchiao of China, GM Tomczak Jacek of Poland and GM Sanan Sjugirov of Russia all finished with 6.5 points.

So finished with four wins and five draws in the event which attracted a total of 24 grandmasters and a bevy of the world's top chess players even as he prepares for the bigger stage, the World Cup, taking place in the next three weeks.

The who's-who of world chess takes aim at the ultimate prize, with So and fellow Filipinos GM Mark Paragua and Oliver Barbosa vying in stiff competition.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Winchell Campos.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Pacquiao vs. Barrios Press Conference: A Clash of Eras Takes Center Stage in Las Vegas (Photos)
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 01 Jun 2025
  • Viva Promotions chief Brendan Gibbons slowly stepping out of his famous dad's shadow
    By Homer D. Sayson, , Sun, 01 Jun 2025
  • Stacked Card Unveiled for Manny Pacquiao’s Highly Anticipated Return
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • BEKTEMIR MELIKUZIEV DEFEATS DARIUS FULGHUM IN WBA SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE ELIMINATOR THRILLER
    , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • AFM Benoni Wabe Champ in the IIEE National Midyear Convention Tournament in CDO
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • Bektemir Melikuziev Edges Darius Fulghum in Thrilling WBA Title Eliminator
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • A Bridge to Plant versus Charlo is the theme for PBC/Amazon Card on Saturday
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • WEIGHIN RESULTS FROM LAS VEGAS: Plant - 167.2. lbs., Resendiz - 167 lbs.; Charlo - 167.4 lbs., LaManna - 166.6 lbs.
    , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • BAM: I WANT TO BE POUND-FOR-POUND NUMBER ONE!
    , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • QUOTES FROM TODAY’S “HALL OF FAME FIGHT NIGHT” VIRTUAL PRESS CONFERENCE
    , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • Reymart Soledad In Action for ABF Welter Strap in Brico Santig's Promotion in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • Konuk, Chaiyapong Make Weight, Collide for UBO Youth World 140
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • World Boxing to introduce mandatory Sex testing for all boxers that want to Participate in its competitions
    , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • 2025 BOXING HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY TO BE STREAMED LIVE
    , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • AJ Paciones Ready for WBO Oriental Battle in Highland Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • BOXER JEAN PASCAL INDUCTED INTO THE BOXING CANADA HALL OF FAME
    , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 5 - ALI VS. FOREMAN IN RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLE
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • Raquinel and Zulueta Crowned ABF Champions in Bacolod City Homecoming
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • GMs Quizon, Antonio, Laylo Vying in 4th Edition Eduardo B. Basilonia Invitational Open Rapid Chess Tilt in Roxas City, Capiz
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • New York Stays Alive, Foils Indiana, 111-94
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • PLANT VS. RESENDIZ & CHARLO VS. LAMANNA FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • Álvarez vs. Crawford: "Champions of Champions"
    By Gary Todd, , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • WEIGHTS FROM LAS VEGAS: MELIKUZIEV - 166.8 LBS., FULGHUM - 167.6 LBS.
    , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • Former Champion Jaime Munguía Notified of Possible Failed Drug Test
    , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • WEIGHTS AND PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES FOR MANUEL GALLEGOS VS. KHALIL COE REMATCH IN GUADALAJARA, MEXICO
    , Fri, 30 May 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.