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World's youngest GM So wins Dubai Open
Wesley So, the 14-year-old school boy from Philippines, shocked a strong pack of experienced players for the crown.
- By K.R. Nayar, Senior Reporter
- Published: 00:17 April 16, 2008
- Wesley So, the 14-year-old schoolboy from Philippines, with his favourite pack of chocolate to keep him company, ponders over his next move during the Dubai Open Chess Championship.
- Image Credit: Supplied Picture
Dubai: Wesley So, the 14-year-old school boy from Philippines, shocked a strong pack of experienced players to walk away with the Dubai Open Chess Championship crown at the Dubai Chess and Culture Club.
So became the youngest player to win this 10-year-old tournament with 7 points after the 9th and final round.
So, who was only four-years-old when this tournament began, was tied for the top spot with Grandmasters Gagunashvili Merab of Georgia, Ghaem Maghami Ehsan of Iran and Li Chao of China, but won the title on better technical counts.
"It is my first major title victory and I am delighted. I dedicate this victory to Prospero Pichay, the president of the Philippines Chess Federation, without whose support I would not have been participating in this tournament," So told Gulf News.
'Natural game'
"Pichay advised me that I should not be bothered about the rating of my opponents, but just play my natural game. I did exactly what he said and won the matches," added So, hugging his proud father William.
"I am so delighted that I have made my father, who has travelled along with me, very happy. I am also thankful for the tremendous support from the Filipino Chess Club in Dubai who sponsored my stay in Dubai and the fans who turned up in huge number to cheer me up," said So, who wants to return next year to defend the title.
Joey Tiberio, the advisor and event manager of the Filipino Chess Club in Dubai, said: "We are so delighted that a Filipino has finally won after trying to win this title for 10 years now. It is a big boost for all our players here."
So won six matches, five in a row, lost to Gangunashvili Merab and recorded two draws against Ghaem Maghami and Li Chao.
Eight players finished with 6.5 points, while 11 players scored 6 points.
FM Salem A.R. Saleh scored six points to finish on top among the UAE players.
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