Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Pinoy chess wonder is country's youngest IM
IT WAS a double celebration for the Filipino chess whiz kid Monday.
Not only did Wesley So celebrate his 13th birthday, he also earned his full-pledged International Master (IM) title according to the report of the World Chess Federation (FIDE) website based in October 2006 list.
Wesley Barbasa So, a freshman high school student from St. Francis Assisi in Bayanan, Bacoor, Cavite is now the country's youngest ever IM with an Elo Fide rating of 2411 from original 2330 in the July rating list.
"Masayang-masaya po ako kasi natupad na ang isa sa pangarap ko. Nawa'y maging inspirasyon po sa mga kabataan ang natamo kong tagumpay," said the soft-spoken Wesley, the 2005 World Youth U-12 tie for first place winner in Belfort France last July.
"Pagkakataon ko na din pong magpasalamat sa walang humpay na suporta nina Congressman Butch Pichay, Mayor Bambol Tolentino, Mr. Chito Tagaysay, Mr. Strike Revilla at Mr. Reginald Tee," added So, the country's ever Olympic Chess member at the age of 12 when he played board 6 for the Philippine Team in Turin Chess Olympiad.
In a report Monday of the official chess website, So gains 81 Elo Fide rating points, coming from 2 Open San Marino A in Republic of San Marino (plus 46.35 Elo rating points) and 3rd IGB Datu Arthur Tan in Kuala, Lumpur, Malaysia, (plus 34.65). In these events, he secured his second and third IM norm, respectively.
He earned his first IM norm at the 2006 Dubai Open last April where he scored 5/9 accumulating him plus 31.64 Elo Fide rating points. Wesley's Elo Fide rating points that time is 2254.
Wesley fulfilled his IM title requirement at the age of 12 and 10 months but it was only yesterday that his becoming an IM was announced by the world governing chess body.
Mark Paragua obtained his IM title at the age of 14 and 8 months. That was in the 1999 Ontario Canada Open in Ontario Canada.
Wesley's parents, William and Leny, said their son's achievement will not be possible without the full pledged support of Pichay.
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (October 10, 2006 issue)
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