So draws, shares lead after three rounds of Calgary Chess Classic

FILIPINO Grandmaster Wesley Barbasa So (ELO 2705) settled for a draw with GM Eric Hansen of Canada (ELO 2577) but kept his share of the lead after three rounds of the 2013 Calgary International Chess Classic at the Best Western Village Park Inn in Calgary, Canada.
Meanwhile, GM  Robin  Van Kampen of the Netherlands (ELO 2580) defeated NM Alex Wang of Canada (ELO 2283) to raise his total to 2.5 points and forge a three-way tie for first with So and Hansen.
In the fourth round, the 20-year-old So will face Van Kempen while Hansen will battle GM Victor Mikhalevski of Israel (ELO 2551), who lost to So in the second round.
Mikhalevski, bounced back in contention by crushing NM Robert Gardner of Canada (ELO 2217) in the third round.
So’s campaign is backed up by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) headed by Chairman/President Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr., Secretary-General Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino Jr. and Executive Director GM Jayson Gonzales.
The tournament serves as So’s build up for the forthcoming 27th Summer Universiade on  July 6-17 in Kazan, Russia and the 2013 World Chess Cup scheduled on August 10 to Sept. 5 in Tromso, Norway.