Wesley So, the Gifted Child

ChessWesley is well on the way to becoming the Philippines' next grandmaster. He's not going to be the youngest in history, that honour belongs to Sergey Karjakin, but already he's a long way ahead of Bobby Fischer, who earned his title at 15 years and 6 months.

Indeed, Wesley So holds up to the expectation of him as Promil’s gifted child a long time ago. Now at the age of 13, he’s the Philippines’ youngest IM (besting even Mark Paragua), rated at 2519 in the April 2007 FIDE rankings, he grabbed the fourth spot in the countries best chess players trailing behind Grandmasters Antonio Rogelio Jr. (2539), Mark Paragua and Eugenio Torre (both 2532).

Wesley So(Photo courtesy of Rooty Hill Chess)

Wesley is well on the way to becoming the Philippines’ next grandmaster. He’s not going to be the youngest in history — that honour belongs to Sergey Karjakin, but already he’s a long way ahead of Bobby Fischer, who earned his title at 15 years and 6 months.
Source

Last November 2006, So already gained his first GM norm.

I haven’t gone through all the games of this kid over at chessgames.com, yet here’s one game that proves his brilliance.

Note: In any case that the Chess Publisher should break down, you can always refer to DEUTS.NET PGN VIEWER, courtesy of jspngviewer.

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7 Comments

chessgenie March 9, 2008 Reply

By the Chess Publisher you used to display Wesley’s game is a Flash program written by a Pinoy. The improved version on this can be found at http://www.rootyhillchess.org/so.html

deuts March 9, 2008 Reply

Hi thanks for the heads up. it’s good to know. At any rate, thanks for dropping by and the comment.

Ang Dakilang Panday August 12, 2009 Reply

I don’t think that Wesely So is a gifted child. In today’s world where computer softwares are readily available to budding chessplayers earning a GM norm or title is not really that hard anymore. And to compare him to the great Bobby Fischer is indeed a blasphemy! Fischer was a true genius never before and shall never be seen again in chess. However, Wesley’s achievements should make the Filipinos proud. But as we all know India is million miles ahead of us in chess considering its long list of Super GMs.

deuts August 13, 2009 Reply

To Mr. Panday, just so you know, I posted a separate entry as my response to your comment here.

buhawi August 27, 2009 Reply

ang galing nun! di ako masyado expert sa chess but nabilib ako dun sa game ni wesley! astig!

deuts August 31, 2009 Reply

But still you’re a chess enthusiast! Welcome to Deuts.NET!

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