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Wesley So
So 
Photograph copyright © 2017, used by permission.  

Number of games in database: 2,925
Years covered: 2003 to 2025
Last FIDE rating: 2751 (2714 rapid, 2783 blitz)
Highest rating achieved in database: 2822
Overall record: +403 -120 =724 (61.3%)*
   * Overall winning percentage = (wins+draws/2) / total games in the database. 1678 exhibition games, blitz/rapid, odds games, etc. are excluded from this statistic.

MOST PLAYED OPENINGS
With the White pieces:
 Sicilian (180) 
    B90 B33 B51 B30 B52
 Ruy Lopez (147) 
    C65 C67 C78 C84 C89
 Giuoco Piano (98) 
    C50 C53 C54
 Nimzo Indian (97) 
    E32 E48 E49 E20 E46
 Queen's Gambit Declined (78) 
    D37 D35 D31 D38 D39
 Queen's Pawn Game (71) 
    D02 A45 E10 E00 A40
With the Black pieces:
 Ruy Lopez (242) 
    C67 C65 C78 C80 C77
 Sicilian (117) 
    B33 B90 B30 B51 B40
 Giuoco Piano (99) 
    C53 C50
 Queen's Pawn Game (97) 
    D02 A45 E10 D04 E00
 Nimzo Indian (89) 
    E32 E21 E46 E20 E53
 Queen's Gambit Declined (88) 
    D37 D38 D35 D31 D39
Repertoire Explorer

NOTABLE GAMES: [what is this?]
   So vs M Mahjoob, 2007 1-0
   So vs Ding Liren, 2015 1-0
   So vs Kasparov, 2016 1-0
   Xiong vs So, 2017 0-1
   So vs V Akobian, 2016 1-0
   So vs F El Taher, 2006 1-0
   So vs M Prusikin, 2006 1-0
   So vs Navara, 2011 1-0
   So vs Anand, 2020 1-0
   Caruana vs So, 2015 0-1

NOTABLE TOURNAMENTS: [what is this?]
   Corus Group C (2009)
   Chess.com Global Championship (2022)
   Chessable Masters (2021)
   Clutch Champions Showdown (2020)
   Meltwater Champions Chess Tour Finals (2022)
   chess.com Speed Chess (2020)
   Clutch International (2020)
   Magnus Carlsen Invitational (2021)
   Skilling Open (2020)
   PRO League Group Stage (2019)
   Champions Showdown (2019)
   SuperUnited Croatia (2022)
   FTX Crypto Cup (2021)
   Baku Olympiad (2016)
   Tata Steel India (2022)

GAME COLLECTIONS: [what is this?]
   wesley so and other gm s well games by DIONPOGIME
   Wesley So's best games by shintaro go
   WESLEY SO's best games by iking
   22 Some S-upermen of the 21st Century by fredthebear
   Wesley So: The Road To Top by penismightier
   So: the future Champion by Zhbugnoimt
   Match So! by docjan
   Match So! by amadeus
   Wesley So by lester47
   RPaterno1's favorite games by RPaterno1

RECENT GAMES:
   🏆 Superbet Chess Classic Romania
   Abdusattorov vs So (May-16-25) 1/2-1/2
   So vs R Praggnanandhaa (May-15-25) 0-1
   D Gukesh vs So (May-14-25) 1/2-1/2
   So vs Aronian (May-13-25) 1/2-1/2
   So vs Caruana (May-11-25) 1/2-1/2

Search Sacrifice Explorer for Wesley So
Search Google for Wesley So
FIDE player card for Wesley So

WESLEY SO
(born Oct-09-1993, 31 years old) Philippines (federation/nationality United States of America)

[what is this?]

Born in Las Pinas, Philippines, Wesley So is a Filipino/American chess prodigy who attained the GM title at the age of 14 years, 1 month and 28 days. That made him the youngest GM in the world at that time. He was the Philippines' youngest ever International Master, youngest ever Grandmaster and the youngest ever National Champion.

Background

Wesley was only six when he learned the movement of chess pieces across a board. After memorizing them, chess set in hand, he explored the streets of his neighborhood daring people to play with him. At nine years old he began to compete in local, junior chess tournaments.

His first major tournament win was taking 1st place at the 2003 Philippine National Chess Championships for the under 10 age group.

So, was awarded his first GM norm at the Offene Internationale Bayerische Schach Meisterschaft, in Bad Wiessee, Germany. He acquired his second GM norm in the World Junior Championship (2007) in Yerevan, Armenia, and capped his year by earning his third GM norm at the 3rd Prospero Pichay Cup International Open in the Philippines. At the age of fourteen years, one month and twenty eight days, FIDE awarded him the title of Grandmaster, making him the ninth youngest chess grandmaster. He was then ranked strongest player in the world under sixteen years old.

In 2006 at the age of twelve years and ten months Wesley So became the youngest ever Filipino International Master and the youngest member of the national men's team to participate at the 37th Chess Olympiad in Turin, Italy.

In 2007, Wesley So went on to become the youngest National Junior Open Chess Champion and won the gold medal on board one, at the World Under16 Team Championships.

So won the title in the Dubai Open (2008), "The Sheikh Rashed Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Cup", in the United Arab Emirates, and set a record as the youngest winner in the 10-year history of the Cup. Later that year, Wesley So was rated 2610 and was the youngest player in the history of the game to break the 2600 Elo barrier, surpassing the record previously held by Magnus Carlsen.

In 2012 he emigrated to the United States, and in 2014 he officially shifted his chess affiliation to the USA. In March 2016, So received the $42,000 Samford Fellowship. (1) Briefly in early 2017, So had his first and last interaction with a regular coach unknown player. (2)

As of April 2017, Wesley So is the USA's top player, as well as the #2 player in the world.

Rating and Ranking

Wesley So was the youngest player ever to cross the 2600 rating mark, 9 days before his 15th birthday, until 2013 when Chinese prodigy Wei Yi achieved the mark at the age of 14 years 5 months 23 days. In March 2013, So's rating crossed over to 2701 (the 92nd player to achieve 2700). In January 2017, So's rating was officially 2808. His April 2017 rating of 2822 made him the 2nd strongest player in the world, behind only Magnus Carlsen.

Official Site

For more information please see: http://www.wesleyso.com/

Tournament History

2017 – USA • US Championship (2017) • St Louis
    Winner
2017 – USA • chess.com Pro League • St Louis
    Champions • St Louis Arch Bishops • MVP Wesley So
2017 – NETHERLANDS • Tata Steel Masters (2017) • Wijk Aan Zee, Rotterdam, Haarlem
    1st Place

2016 – UNITED KINGDOM • The Grand Chess Tour • London
    1st Place
2016 – UNITED KINGDOM • London Chess Classic (2016) • London
    1st Place
2016 – ISLE OF MAN • Isle of Man Masters (2016) • Douglas
    Tie for 3rd Place
2016 – AZERBAIJAN • 42nd Baku Olympiad (2016) • Baku
    GOLD MEDAL TEAM
    GOLD MEDAL THIRD BOARD
2016 – USA • Sinquefield Cup (2016) • St Louis
    1st Place
2016 – SPAIN • IX Bilbao Chess Masters Final • Bilbao
    3rd Place
2016 – BELGIUM • Grand Chess Tour Rapid & Blitz • Leuven
    2nd Place
2016 – FRANCE • Grand Chess Tour Rapid & Blitz • Paris
    4th Place
2016 – CHINA • 4 Game Match with Ding Liren • Shanghai
    2nd Place
2016 – USA • Ultimate Blitz Chess Challenge with Garry Kasparov • St. Louis
    2nd Place
2016 – USA • US Chess Championships • St. Louis
    2nd Place
2016 – USA • Awarded The Samford Chess Fellowship • US Chess Trust
    http://www.uschesstrust.org/2016-sa...
2016 – NETHERLANDS • Tata Steel Chess Event • Wijk Aan Zee
    4th Place

2015 – SPAIN • Bilbao Chess Masters • Bilbao
    1st Place – Champion
2015 – USA • Millionaire Chess • Las Vegas
    5th Place – Open
2015 – AZERBAIJAN • World Chess Cup • Baku
    4th Round
2015 – USA • Sinquefield Cup (2015) • St. Louis
    10th Place
2015 – TURKEY • Turkish Super League • Izmit
    2nd Place
2015 – GERMANY • Sparkassen Chess Meeting • Dortmund
    2nd Place
2015 – CZECH REPUBLIC • Cez Chess Trophy 4 Game Match • Prague
    1st Place
2015 – FRANCE • Top Twelve French League (CLICHY) • Petit Camargue
    2nd Place
2015 – AZERBAIJAN • Gashimov Memorial • Shamkir
    3rd Place
2015 – UNITED STATES • US Championships • St. Louis
    3rd Place
2015 – IRELAND • 22nd Bunratty Chess Festival • Bunratty
    1st Place
2015 – NETHERLANDS • Tata Steel Chess Event • Wijk Aan Zee
    Tied for 2nd Place

2014 – USA • North American Open • Las Vegas
    Open Section Champion
2014 – USA • US Chess League Champions • St. Louis
    Board One
2014 – USA • Millionaire Chess • Las Vegas
    1st Place Grand Prize Winner
2014 – USA • 3RD Noel Skelton Open • Minnesota
    1st Place
2014 – NORWAY • 41ST Chess Olympiad
    Coach for US team
2014 – ITALY • ACP Golden Classic
    1st  Place (Rated 2755)
2014 – CANADA • 9th Edmonton International (2014)
    2nd Place
2014 – USA • National Open Blitz Sectionals Las Vegas International Chess Festival
    1st Place
2014 – CUBA • Capablanca Memorial
    1st Place
2014 – USA • The Bill Wright Saint Louis Open
    Tie for 1st Place
2014 • USA • Final Four of College Chess
    1st  Place (Webster Team)
2014 • NETHERLANDS • Tata Steel Chess – Wijk Aan Zee
   Tie for 4th place

2013 – USA • Pan American Intercollegiate Chess Championship
    1st Place (Webster Team A)
2013 – TURKEY • World Chess Team Championship
    Coach for U.S.A. Team
2013 – NETHERLANDS • 17TH Unive Chess Tournament Hoogeveen
    1st Place
2013 – USA • 2ND Noel Skelton Open
    1st Place
2013 – NORWAY • World Cup
    Lost in 2nd round (64 players) knockout
2013 – RUSSIA • 27TH Summer Universiade in Kazan, Russia
    Gold Medal
2013 – USA • Las Vegas International Chess Festival
    Triple Winner
2013 – CANADA • Calgary International Chess Classic and Blitz Championship
    1stPlace – Classic
    1st Place – Blitz
2013 – USA • The Bill Wright Saint Louis Open
    Tie for 1st Place
2013 – USA • Final Four of College Chess
    1st Place
2013 – ICELAND • The Reykjavik Open 2013
    Tie for 1st Place
    1st  player from the Philippines and the 1st player in the 67-year history of American Collegiate Chess to break the 2700 rating mark
    No. 2-ranked junior chess player in the world
2013 – PHILIPPINES • Asian Zonal 3.3 Chess Championship
    2nd  Place
    Qualifies in 2013 World Cup
2013 – USA • Pan American Intercollegiate Chess Championship
    Tie for 1st Place (Webster Team A & B)

2012 – USA • SPICE Blitz 2012
    1st Place
2012 – USA • The 3RD Annual Thanksgiving Open
    Tie for 2nd Place
2012 – USA • 2012 SPICE CUP Group A
    4th  Place
2012 – Chess.com's 7th Blitz Match of Death • Wesley So vs. Ray Robson
    Defeated GM Ray Robson
2012 – CANADA • Quebec Open Chess Championship
    1st Place
2012 – CANADA • Toronto International Chess Championship
    1st Place
2012 – USA • Charity Chess Match Philippine Consulate 
    Organized by the Filipino-American Chess Club of New York
    Acting Deputy Permanent Representative of the Philippine Mission to the UN in New York, Eduardo de Vega, joined the other chess players.
    20-chess players simultaneous
2012 – USA • 40TH Annual World Open 2012 – Blitz Championship
    Tie for 1st Place
2012 – USA • 40TH Annual World Open 2012
    3rd Place
2012 – FRANCE • French League TOP 12
    Clichy members: Ivanchuk, Van Wely, Wesley So, vice Jakovenko, Nispeanu and Maze
    Emerged 2012 champion – undefeated in 10 games
2012 – VIETNAM • 11TH Asian Individual Open/Blitz Chess Championships
    Undefeated in 18 games, 9 in the main event, and 9 in the Blitz Championship
    First place – Blitz
2012 – USA • The 28TH North American Masters: Georg Meier vs. Wesley So
    4 game classical match followed by 4 game rapid match (Tie)

2011 – INDONESIA • 26TH Southeast Asian Games
    Gold Medal – Finished undefeated with 9 points in the Blitz chess competition
    Silver Medal – Individual Standard
2011 – INDIA • Airports Authority of India Intl. Grandmasters Chess Tournament 
    5 points 4th place
2011 – INDONESIA • 17TH Asian Cities Chess Team Championship
    Tie for  2nd
2011 – PHILIPPINES • Battle of Grandmasters
   Place
2011 – SPAIN • Training with World's #1 Chess player GM Magnus Carlsen
    GM Magnus Carlsen
2011 – RUSSIA • Qualifying World Blitz
    5th  place/ 194-player field. Qualified for World Blitz
2011 – NETHERLANDS • 73rd Corus Chess, Grandmasters Group B Tata Steel
    4th  place

2010 – CHINA • The 16TH Asian Games
    Silver Medal for Team Philippines
2010 – USA • 2010 SPICE CUP Group A
    Tie for 2nd  Place
2010 – RUSSIA • 39TH World Chess Olympiad 2010
    RP Team: Rank 50th (149 teams)
2010 – PHILIPPINES • Campomanes Memorial Cup
    7th place
2010 – PHILIPPINES • Battle of Grandmasters
    1st Place
2010 – NETHERLANDS • NH Chess Tournament Rising Stars vs Experience
    Rising stars 26 (1st)
    Experience 24
2010 – SWITZERLAND • 2010 Biel Young Grandmasters Chess Championship
    5th Place
2010 – PHILIPPINES • 2010 ASIAN Continental Chess Championships
    2nd Place
    Qualify for World Cup
2010 – RUSSIA • World Blitz Championship Prelim
   62nd place / 156-player field
2010 – RUSSIA • Aeroflot Open 2010, Group A1
    Top Junior Award
    11th place / 80-player field
2010 – NETHERLANDS • 72ND Corus Chess 2010, Grandmasters Group B
    5th Place

2009 – RUSSIA •2009 World Chess Cup
    Final 16
    Defeated Gadir Guseinov and had victories over former world championship contenders Vassily Ivanchuk (ELO 2739) and Gata Kamsky (ELO 2695)
2009 – USA • Spice Cup Group A
    Tie for 2nd Place
2009 – USA • 30-Board Simul with Fresno Chess Club
    30-0
2009 – VIETNAM • Zone 3.3 Fide World Chess Championship
    Medal: Silver
    2nd Place
    Qualify for World Cup
2009 – PHILIPPINES • Asian Continental Chess Open Championship
    Rank: 21st place (85 players)
    Tie for 4th Place
2009 – CHINA • Chinese Chess League (for Bank of Qingdao Team)
    Team: Rank 9 Scored 4/6
2009 – Philippines • Battle of Grandmasters
    1st Place
2009 – RUSSIA • Aeroflot Open 2009, Group A1
    Top Junior Winner
2009 – NETHERLANDS • 71st Corus Group C (2009)
    1st place/Qualified for B Group
    "Beste Jone Talente" Award

2008 – UAE • 1ST Asian Chess Club Championship
    Individual: Board 1 Gold Medalist
    Team: 4th place
2008 – GERMANY • 38TH World Chess Olympiad 2008
    RP Team: Rank 46th (100 teams)
    Best Olympiad performer in RP
2008 – PHILIPPINES • 4TH Pichay Cup International Open
    Tie for 3rd Place (68 players)
    Ranked 5th
2008 – PHILIPPINES • 3RD President GMA Cup International Open
    Tie for 5th Place (72 players)
2008 – VIETNAM • 1ST Dragon Capital Chess Open/1ST ASEAN Grand Prix
    Tie for 2nd (30 players)
    2nd  in ASEAN Grand Prix
    Team: 3rd Place (26 teams)
2008 – TURKEY • World Youth U-16 Chess Olympiad
    Individual: Gold Medal
    Team: 3rd  Place (26 teams)
2008 – TURKEY • World Junior Chess Championship
    9th Place (109 players)
    Tie for 8th  — 14th Place
2008 – PHILIPPINES • 1ST Subic Bay International Open Chess Championship
    2nd  Place
2008 – PHILIPPINES • 2ND Philippine Open International Chess Championship
    10th  Place (73 players)
2008 – INDONESIA • 2008 Japfa Chess Festival
    1st Place
2008 – UAE • 10TH Dubai Open Chess Championship
    1st  Place
2008 – PHILIPPINES • Battle of Grandmasters
    1st Place
2008 – INDONESIA • Asean Masters Chess Circuit 2008 GM Tournament A
    4th Place

2007 – PHILIPPINES • 3RD Pichay Cup International Open
    5th Place
    3rd GM Norm
    World's 7th Youngest GM at 14 years old
    Youngest Filipino GM in their history
2007 – PHILIPPINES • 2ND President GMA CUP International Open
    9th Place (64 participants)
2007 – MACAU • 2ND Asian Indoor Games (participated by 32 countries)
    Team Rapid Chess: 4th Place
    Team Classical Chess: 7th Place
    Team Blitz Chess: 6th Place
2007 – ARMENIA • World Junior Chess Championship
    2nd GM Norm
    Tie for 6th Place
2007 – PHILIPPINES • The 6TH Asian Individual Chess Championship
    Tie for 5th Place
2007 – SINGAPORE • World Youth U-16 Chess Olympiad
    Individual: Gold Medal
    Team: 3rd Place
2007 – PHILIPPINES • Philippine Open International Chess Championship
    Rank 15th
2007 – IRAN • 15th Asian Cities Chess Champion
    Team: 2nd (Silver Medal)
    Individual: Gold Medal for Performance Rating and Percentage Score
2007 – VIETNAM • Fide (Zone 3.3) World Chess Championship
    Tie for 3rd Place

2006 – SINGAPORE • 3rd Masters International Open Chess Tournament
    Tie for 4th Place (99 Players)
2006 – PHILIPPINES • 1ST President GMA Cup International Chess Tournament
    Top Juniors
    Tie for 6th Place
2006 – GERMANY • Offene Internationale Bayerische Shach Meisterschaft
    Tie for 2nd  Place
    1st GM Norm
    Creativity
    Award: Chosen by Russian Website e3e5
2006 – SPAIN • III Festival de Ajedrez Open Internacionale
    BEST Under 16 Blitz
2006 – MALAYSIA • 3rd IGB Dato' Arthur Tan Open Chess Championship
    BEST Under-16 Player 3RD International Master Norm
2006 – ITALY • 2ND San Marino Open Internationale di Scacchi
    BEST Under-16 Player – 2nd IM Norm
2006 – ITALY • 37TH World Chess Olympiad
    Youngest RP Olympian
2006 – UAE • 8TH Dubai Open Chess Championship
    1st IM Norm

2005 – SINGAPORE • Masters/Challengers Int'l. Open Tournament
    BEST Under-12 Player
2005 – FRANCE • 12th Nice Open International
    9th Place
2005 – FRANCE • World Youth Chess Championship
    TIE 1st Place
2005 – THAILAND • 7th Asean Age-Group Chess Championship
    GOLD, "Standard Chess – Individual"
    GOLD, "Rapid Chess – Individual"
    GOLD, "Blitz Chess – Individual"
2004 – GREECE • World Youth Chess Championship
    13th Place
2004 – VIETNAM • 6th  Asian Age-Group Chess Championship
    GOLD "Standard Chess" (Individual)
    GOLD "Rapid Chess" (Individual)
    SILVER "Standard Chess" (Team)
    SILVER "Rapid Chess" (Team)

2003 – GREECE • World Youth Chess Championship
    19th Place

1) https://new.uschess.org/news/2016-s...
2) http://en.chessbase.com/post/wesley...

Last updated: 2024-10-08 02:57:00

Try our new games table.

 page 1 of 117; games 1-25 of 2,925  PGN Download
Game  ResultMoves YearEvent/LocaleOpening
1. T Pipan vs So 0-1262003Wch U10B33 Sicilian
2. So vs N Galopoulos  0-1532003Wch U10C00 French Defense
3. So vs Z Javakhadze 1-0552003Wch U10B10 Caro-Kann
4. Negi vs So 1-0342003Wch U10B33 Sicilian
5. So vs V Belous 1-0412003Wch U10A07 King's Indian Attack
6. Swiercz vs So 1-0732003Wch U10B33 Sicilian
7. Mark Ho En Tian vs So 0-1312004ASEAN-ch5 U12B70 Sicilian, Dragon Variation
8. M Bui vs So 0-1442004ASEAN-ch5 U12B70 Sicilian, Dragon Variation
9. So vs Md Omar Ak Hafizon Pg  ½-½572004ASEAN-ch5 U12B21 Sicilian, 2.f4 and 2.d4
10. So vs Minh Doan Vu Hoang 1-0352004ASEAN-ch5 U12A07 King's Indian Attack
11. Do Duc Minh vs So 0-1202004ASEAN-ch5 U12B33 Sicilian
12. Ding Liren vs So 1-0232004Wch U12A04 Reti Opening
13. So vs Caruana 1-0272004Wch U12B21 Sicilian, 2.f4 and 2.d4
14. A Rosell vs So 1-0432004Wch U12A80 Dutch
15. So vs O Kanmazalp 1-0292004Wch U12B21 Sicilian, 2.f4 and 2.d4
16. F Firman Syah vs So 0-1422005ASEAN-ch6 U12B33 Sicilian
17. So vs J Chung 1-0292005ASEAN-ch6 U12B01 Scandinavian
18. Duy Linh Dang vs So 0-1262005ASEAN-ch6 U12E41 Nimzo-Indian
19. S Neubronner vs So 0-1252005ASEAN-ch6 U12B33 Sicilian
20. So vs Mark Ho En Tian 1-0402005ASEAN-ch6 U12B01 Scandinavian
21. D Lo Kin Mun vs So 0-1542005ASEAN-ch6 U12B33 Sicilian
22. So vs Y Chan 1-0382005ASEAN-ch6 U12C26 Vienna
23. I Nyzhnyk vs So 0-1332005Wch U12A07 King's Indian Attack
24. Robson vs So ½-½472005Wch U12B33 Sicilian
25. S Sjugirov vs So 1-0332005Wch U12B30 Sicilian
 page 1 of 117; games 1-25 of 2,925  PGN Download
  REFINE SEARCH:   White wins (1-0) | Black wins (0-1) | Draws (1/2-1/2) | So wins | So loses  

Kibitzer's Corner
ARCHIVED POSTS
< Earlier Kibitzing  · PAGE 6591 OF 7419 ·  Later Kibitzing>
Dec-18-14
Premium Chessgames Member
  chancho: http://www.rappler.com/sports/by-sp...
Dec-18-14  Jim Bartle: From <chancho>'s link:

<Wesley So cut his ties with his Webster University coach who transformed him from an ordinary grandmaster to number 14 in the world. Susan Polgar, his coach, announced on her blog that So will become a professional.>

That's pretty harsh. He improved tremendously while at Webster, but he was far above an "ordinary Grandmaster" when he first arrived. And though she of course helped him greatly, did she "transform" him? I think So himself deserves the greater part of the credit.

In the chessdom interview Polgar says she didn't recruit So to come to Webster, that he just decided to come on his own. (She read it in a newspaper!) I really wonder about that.

http://susanpolgar.blogspot.com/201...

Dec-18-14  bulibug: hmmmmm...expensive house....out of school...broke free from SP's academy...

Maybe Wes found a new rich uncle???

Dec-18-14  bulibug: Mr. President, Wordfunph.....

For the sake of argument....again??? LOL..

In the beginning, there was a transfer, then there was transfer, then there is another transfer......It's the transformation of the soon to be <King> of ...

I said it all along, whatever Wesley decide....I am all for it...I respect his decisions (unlike the old sugardom....he is currently under spell by some Omega3, watch when he come back to his own self....LOL)...stay behind his wishes...all the way....no matter what.

Dec-18-14  bulibug: Yes, Sugar....honey...my name is means robust....named after a vicious volcano soon to erupt like no one has ever seen...
Dec-18-14  DrM: Good luck Wesley!!!
Dec-18-14  bulibug: <Wesley So cut his ties with his Webster University coach who transformed him from an ordinary grandmaster to number 14 in the world. Susan Polgar, his coach, announced on her blog that So will become a professional.>

That's bogus....Wes is not ordinary GM..far from it. He is a prodigy for crying out loud...He is young but knows what he needed... a coach to guide him climb the very top of Mt Everest. A little guidance...you can't teach his talent, he got it since birth....

Dec-18-14  bulibug: <<Abdel>, before I was worried about your honesty but more and more I get the impression that your problems are mental, severely mental.>

I agree...

Dec-18-14  bubuli55: You've got to admire Wesley for knowing exactly what he wants to do and the COURAGE! to act on it at a crucial stage in his endevours.

I pray for your success.

Pagbutihan mo. Kaya mo yan!

Happy Holidays to you and your love ones.

:)

Dec-18-14  kabayan1: To Polgar's credit, she showed class by respecting Wesley's decision and wished him well. This is what should have happened when Wesley left Pichay. A tale of two goodbyes. Two very different reactions. One classy, one classless.

Go Wesley!!

Dec-18-14  Zangetsu: Does it mean that Wesley will not participate in the upcoming Pam American Team Championship anymore?

I hope no hard feelings from Susan here. I hope they part ways with good heart.

Dec-18-14  Zangetsu: In his website www.wesleyso.com ,there is no schedule about the Pan American so I'm assuming he will no longer play. He, however, will play on May 30, 2015 which is the French Team Championship. I guess he will be very busy next year :)Looking forward!
Dec-18-14  pinoymaster77: Was waiting for somebody to also ask why the chessbase article was no longer accessible and also checked their site, the Tumbaga article is no longer there?

Wonder whats the story behind the recall

Dec-18-14  pinoymaster77: For cro777 and BW in the know,

For your inputs / sharing to the limited knowledge I know for the TOP 5 and what logistics they have behind them :

WC Carlsen - its already well publicized

Anand - India has been behind him for decades

Aronian - aside from pro earnings, chess is like a 'religion' in Armenia. Not just Levon but for the champion Olympiad teams, their President sumusundo pa and given a chartered plane flight

Caruana - don't have details, but has a support structure in Italy

Grischuk - not sure what kind of support he gets from Russia, is he also sort of a lone ranger ?

Topalov - Bulgaria fully backed his WC bid even hosting it and providing a super computer and other logistics, it was more on psyching out getting over the WC match loss

As Prez wordfun aptly concocted the latest monicker of 'Solo Flight', that is our current understanding mainly based from the 2 articles in chessbase and chessdom. It could be a NOVELTY nga, or a Don Quixote move, lets wait for the Tata Steel A battles, for any indications.

Dec-18-14  allan.dinglasan: Mabuhay ka Grandmaster Wesley So!
A new beginning in your chess life!
I am so excited seeing GM wesley locking horns again GM Magnus Carlsen-
Dec-18-14  chesspatsy1948: chesspatsy1948 now here in brentwood, california instead of salt lake city, utah: i am solidly 100% behind wesley so's moves. he knows better than most what is best for him and his career. there is a saying like... no pains, no gains; and also, no guts, no glory. let's wish the best for the man of the world who tries to reach the pinnacle of chess success: MABUHAY PARA KAY WESLEY B. SO.
Dec-18-14  cro777: <pinoymaster77: Let's wait for the Tata Steel A battles.>

I consider this the right attitude. The specifics of Wesley's departure at the moment are not substantial. What is important is that all actions are given meaning and direction by the goals that Wesley seeks out.

For the second time in Wijk aan Zee he is going head to head against the strongest competition. Moreover, Carlsen is back in Wijk aan Zee after one year of absence.

Dec-18-14  Abdel Irada: <bulibug: <<Abdel>, before I was worried about your honesty but more and more I get the impression that your problems are mental, severely mental.>

I agree...>

You *agree* with the other guy on your tag team?

Will wonders never cease? :-D

Dec-18-14  iking: <kabayan1: To Polgar's credit, she showed class by respecting Wesley's decision and wished him well. This is what should have happened when Wesley left Pichay. A tale of two goodbyes. Two very different reactions. One classy, one classless. Go Wesley!!> ... nice observation <kabayan1> ...
Dec-18-14  Abdel Irada: <john barleycorn: <Abdel Irada: ...

As is often true, you are gaslighting and counting on no one here to remember what happened, and on no one being able to <search kibitzing> for history to understand the point I was making. ...>

Happy baloney. I made a remark to a post of <cro777> not in any way relating to you and you followed up that post immediately by an idiotic statement. Now, ever attention seeking as you are you get attention and don't like it. And of course as part of your usual routine you are the "victim", now. <Abdel>, before I was worried about your honesty but more and more I get the impression that your problems are mental, severely mental.>

Thank you for once again illustrating the meaning of "gaslighting."

Now, shall I tell you why it won't work, or let you figure that out for yourself?

Dec-18-14  Jim Bartle: From SP's interview with chessdom:

<5. How did the decision for Wesley to turn full time professional come about?

There are very few top level scholarship spots open to world class GMs to get into Webster University – SPICE, and there are many talented applicants. We have very strict requirements for all students such as:

- Commitment to academic excellence
- Commitment to chess improvement, and the willingness to be coached - Commitment to team work
- Commitment to follow all team rules
- Commitment to community service, etc.

The rules are the same for all students. Unless one appreciates the opportunity, and is willing to meet all the requirements, it is better to take a different direction.

We did everything we could to help Wesley reach the top 10 in the world, break the 2760 mark, win Millionaire Chess, along with many big tournaments in the past 2 years. After nearly 2.5 years of training at SPICE, now is the time for him to show what he is made of.

While I cannot speak about the specifics of his abrupt departure, all his teammates and I wish him the best. It is up to Wesley and his new team to get him ready to battle Carlsen, Caruana, Aronian, Grischuk, Topalov, Giri, etc., to break the top 5, and 2800.>

While she is being respectful, I think she is clearly hinting (using tge word "abrupt" especially) that So did not want to follow at least one of her rules for SPICE. Maybe (just maybe) he wanted to play more elite tournaments, which would have meant bending the rules. More likely he just thought he had benefitted from Webster but now it's time to move on.

Dec-18-14  Jayz: "While I cannot speak about the specifics of his abrupt departure, all his teammates and I wish him the best. It is up to Wesley and his new team to get him ready to battle Carlsen, Caruana, Aronian, Grischuk, Topalov, Giri, etc., to break the top 5, and 2800." - NOTICE, Giri was a special mention by Susan Polgar among others as possible challenger to Carlsen BUT no mention of GM Wesley So such as perhaps GM So.... Susan trained & coach GM So but it appears she does not have faith in her student. So following the Stars Wars Jedi concept of Master-Apprentice relatiobship, it seems the apprentice decided to cut his with his Master & "kill" him (her) perhaps because the Master is not teaching him more already or shown discontentment on him that even during interviews the Master was not all praise to his student... but more of his rival (Giri in this case) LOL
Dec-18-14  Jim Bartle: < NOTICE, Giri was a special mention by Susan Polgar among others as possible challenger to Carlsen BUT no mention of GM Wesley So such as perhaps GM So.... Susan trained & coach GM So but it appears she does not have faith in her student. >

You are misreading her comment. She clearly states he can be a challenger to the top players including Carlsen. She made this even more clear in another comment in the interview.

Dec-18-14
Premium Chessgames Member
  OhioChessFan: I think this was pretty well handled by Susan Polgar but "abrupt" is definitely code for "less than optimal conditions".
Dec-18-14  Pulo y Gata: <Dec-18-14
Premium Chessgames Member Wesley So: I appreciate your support as I move on in my life. Hoping you all bear with me as I try to make my way forward. No anger, no blame, no bad vibes. I don’t want to make anyone unhappy. I am grateful for every step forward. I want to try for more. Proud to be a Filipino!>

Let's not bury the message.

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