Wesley So nabs World Cup spot

Thursday, April 29, 2010
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By Frank 'Boy' Pestaño



THERE are three big events that are being held at the same time—the Asian Individual Continental Championship in Subic, the third Women’s Grand Prix in Nalchick and the granddaddy of them all, the World Championships between Vishy Anand and Veselin Topalov in Sofia, Bulgaria

Our focus is the Subic event, where the top five players will qualify to the World Cup 2011.

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Thirty-two grandmasters, 23 IMs and 63 titled participants are playing in the Open Division. There are 10 players rated over 2600, including local hero Wesley So.

The total prize fund is $65,000--$50,000 for the Open Division and $15,000 for the women.

The result was not favorable for the 32 Pinoy participants as only Wesley So qualified to the World Cup 2011.

Joey Antonio had one draw too many.

In addition to Wesley, the other qualifiers were Ni Hua and Zhou Jianchao of China, Abhijeet Gupta of India and Le Quang Liem of Vietnam despite a loss and a draw at the start.

Ni Hua sored 7/9 to snare the top prize of $6,000.

The Women’s Grand Prix will have six legs over two years (2009/10) in various countries around the world with three tournaments every year. The leader after two legs is Zhao Xue of China.

The Women’s Grand Prix is a significant development as there will be a Women’s Championship annually starting this year. The champion will be determined from the Knockout World Championship which will be held in Turkey and the following year, 2011. The world champion will face the winner of the Grand Prix series 2009/2010 in a match for the title.

The Women’s Grand Prix in Nalchik, Russia is being played from April 25 to 8 May 8.

The participants are: GM Koneru Humpy (2622, India), GM Yifan Hou (2570, China), GM Kosintseva Tatiana (2524, Russia), GM Cramling Pia (2523, Sweden),IM Mkrtchan Lilit (2503, Armenia), IM Danielian Elina (2491, Armenia), GM Zhao Xue (2490, China),GM Dzagnidze Nana (2479, Georgia),GM Chen Zhu (2476, Qatar), WGM Batkhuyag Munguntuul (2428, Mongolia), WGM Kovanova Baira (2385, Russia), WIM Yildiz Betul Cemre (2244, Turkey).

In the World Championship, Anand won Game 2 and 4, both Catalans, to lead, 2.5-1.5. Topalov won Game 1.

Prize fund is 2 million Euros with 1.25 million going to the winner and the format is best of 12 games.

LOCAL EVENTS. Here are the winners of the Dimataga Open held last weekend in Opon: Joel Fernan (champion) Nelman Lagutin (runner-up). The semifinalists were Francisco Abugho and Mike Banebane.

In the Kiddies section, the champion was Felix Shaun Balbona. He was followed by Neil Gilig, Kyle Sevillano and Allan Pason.

There were 72 players in the Deep Blue Open held at SM City last Sunday for Juniors sponsored by Felix Balbona, Carlos Tan and Edgar Hortelano.

The first place winner was Yuri Cauba, who got a trophy and a chess clock. Marq Gabrielle Balbona placed second and got a trophy and a chess set. The third placer was Bernardo Ruelo Jr. and went home with a chess book and trophy.

Former Cepca president Manny Manzanares organized a chess clinic mostly for beginners in coordination with the Talisay City Sports Commission headed by Jeanneth Villagonzalo and Councilor Rodi Cabigas, starting last April 12.

Twenty-five students finished the course and the winners of the culminating tournament yesterday were Justice Sousa, Fashene Labajo, Emmanuele Arcamo Jr., May Labajo and Mishael Seguerra.

Coming up this weekend is the Marcelo “Loloy” Ruelan Memorial Open to be held at Norkis Plaza, Plaridel St., Looc, Mandaue City, in front of Mandaue City Comprehensive National High School .

The format is seven rounds Swiss and time control is 25 minutes each, play to finish. Registration is P150 for the Open and P50 for Kiddies and Women.

Games start at 9 a.m.

(boypestano@chess.com,www.chessmoso.blogspot.com)


Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on April