GM So scores 4th straight draw in India

FILIPINO Grandmaster (GM) Wesley Barbasa So (Elo 2667) remained in fourth place in the overall standings after settling for his fourth consecutive draw in last Tuesday’s 6th round of the AI (Airports Authority of India) Grandmasters Chess Tournament in New Delhi, India.

The 17-year-old So defended well with the black pieces and forced the draw against Indian GM Krishnan Sasikiran (Elo 2676) after 50 moves of Slav defense.

So, who was sent here by National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) president/ chairman Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr., padded his score to 3.0 points on a single win, a loss and four draws in six outings.

Meanwhile, Italian GM Fabiano Caruana (Elo 2714) widened his lead to a full point after winning a marathon, 98-move game against Indian GM Parimarjan Negi (Elo 2622) of Sicilian defense. He has 5.0 points, a full point ahead of GM Viktor Laznicka (Elo 2681) of the Czech Republic who had 4.0 points after drawing Chinese GM Hou Yifan (2612) in 32 moves of Catalan Opening.

In the seventh round, So meets Laznicka, Sasikiran battles Caruana and Hou tackles Negi in the Category 17 chess tournament organized by the All India Chess Federation and sanctioned by the World Chess Federation (FIDE).

A total of $24,500 in cash is at stake with the champion getting $8,000. The runner-up will take home $6,000. /Correspondent Marlon Benardino