Dubai: Fourteen-year-old Wesley So from the Philippines is currently the youngest Grandmaster and seventh youngest in chess history. He clinched a place in history last December at the age of 14 years, one month and 28 days.
"I felt very happy when I became a Grandmaster. Maybe I will become a model for my fellow players. My aim now is to become a super Grandmaster," So told Gulf News.
Sitting next to his father, William, So spoke about his love for the game. "I began playing from the age of seven. My father taught me the basics. Soon I enrolled in a chess club. When I started playing tournaments I realised I am good in chess and decided to continue," said So, who lives in Cavite near Manila.
So won his first title at the age of 10 but in the under-10 world youth championship he finished 19th. "I practice and study chess for six hours daily. Discipline, patience and hard work are my strong points," he said.
