WESLEY So, prayed after his match and then proudly wore a barong with red, white and blue decorations during the awarding ceremony.
That’s how he celebrated his first ever conquest of the United States Chess Championship men’s division at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis in St. Louis, Missouri.
The 23-year-old So then thanked his supporters from the Philippines, a few hours after he beat fellow grandmaster Alexander Onischuk in their playoff for the crown.
“To all my friends and kababayan who lifted me up in prayer and encouraged me through the difficult moments, thank you from the bottom of my heart,” said So in a Facebook message.
So forced Onischuk, the 2006 US champion, to quit in 31 moves of a King’s Indian Attack.
Onischuk was under time pressure when the white-playing So threatened to promote a passed pawn in the back rank with the support of two bishops.
The game was a little slow after the arbiters gave the playoff a base time of 25 minutes, instead of 15, according to the online analysis by GM Elshan Moradiabadi on chess.com.
“Thank you dear Lord Jesus, I am humbled and amazed at this valuable gift. It is a great treasure to me and there is no way to give you the gratitude you deserve. My own mouth can hardly say, US Chess Champion. The words are so big,” said So in a statement released online.
With plenty of time left, So surprised analysts with a good bishop g4 move on the 20th.
As So developed two well-supported passed pawns in the middle file, Onischuk committed a pair of mistakes.
Two dubious rook and knight moves allowed So to continue his attack of the middle with his major pieces protecting his passed pawns.
“Today wasn’t easy. Alex Onischuk will not go down without a fight and he didn’t the second game,” said So.
He also expressed his gratitude to his new coach, GM Vladimir Tukmakov “for your incredible patience with my weird ways,” along with his manager and surrogate mom Lotis Key Kabigting.
Meanwhile, GM Sabrina Francesca Foisor won over Apurva Virkud in 31 moves of a Nimzo Indian Defense for the women’s crown.
She finished with eight points after 11 rounds.
