So, Paragua lead PH bid in World Cup in Russia

GRANDMASTERS Wesley Barbasa So (Elo 2658) and Mark Callano Paragua (Elo 2545) will banner the country’s campaign in the 2011 Chess World Cup formerly known as the FIDE World Chess Championships on Aug. 26 to Sept. 21 in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia.

So and Paragua will compete against the world’s best wood pushers in the knockout-style competition which offers a guaranteed cash prize of $1.6 million.

So will meet Chinese GM Liren Ding (Elo 2654) in the first round while Paragua goes up against England’s GM Michael Adams (Elo 2715).

“Sana maging maganda uli laro natin sa World Cup,” said the 17-year-old Bacoor, Cavite whiz kid So, who claimed his fourth straight Battle of the Grandmasters title last Saturday at the National Press Club.

Two years ago, So routed GM Gadir Gusienov of Azerbaijan, 3-1, in the first round then upset former world championship candidates GM Vassily Ivanchuk of Ukraine, 1.5-.5 in the second round and GM Gata Kamsky of the United States, 1.5-.5 in the third. But So bowed to GM Vladimir Malakhov of Russia, 4-1, in rapid tiebreak matches in their fourth-round encounter.

Paragua, who earned the right to play in the World Cup after finishing second to GM Susanto Megaranto of Indonesia, will make his third appearance in the world’s most prestigious individual competition.

Paragua qualified for the 2004 World Championship in Tripoli, Libya, but was ousted by GM Viktor Bologan of Moldova, 1-3, in the first round.

Paragua also competed in the 2005 World Cup where he upset GM Sergei Movsesian of Armenia in the first round before yielding in the  tie breaker to GM Alexey Dreev of Russia in the second round. /Correspondent Marlon Bernardino