Filipino GM So logs another draw

Individual Standings

3.5 points—GM Fabiano Caruana (2714/ Italy)

3.0 points—GM Viktor Laznicka (2681/Czech Republic)

2.0 points—(GM) Wesley Barbasa So (2667/Philippines),GM Krishnan

Sasikiran (2676/India)

1.5 points—GM Parimarjan Negi (2622/India)

1.0 point—GM Krishnan Sasikiran (2676/India)

0—GM Hou Yifan (2612/China)

FILIPINO Grandmaster Wesley Barbasa So (Elo 2667) settled for a draw with Italian GM Fabiano Caruana (Elo 2714) in the fourth round of the Airports Authority of India Grandmasters Chess Tournament in New

Delhi, India on Saturday.

The 17-year-old So, supported by National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) President/Chairman Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr., agreed to a draw after 31 moves of a Giuco Piano Opening using the advantageous white pieces to tally 2.0 points after four rounds.

He has the same output with Indian GM Krishnan Sasikiran (Elo 2676), who brought down Chinese GM Hou Yifan (Elo 2612) after 66 moves of Catalan Opening. Caruana is on top with 3.5 points.

GM Viktor Laznicka (Elo 2681) of Czech Republic defeated GM Parimarjan Negi (Elo 2622) of India after 53 moves of Slav defense to scored 3.0 points for solo second place.

In the fifth round, So will be meeting Hou, Caruana battles Laznicka

and Sasikiran tackles compatriot Negi in the Category 17 chess tournament organized by the All India Chess Federation and sanctioned by the World Chess Federation (FIDE). /Correspondent Marlon Bernardino