So hurdles opening match at World Cup

FILIPINO Grandmaster Wesley So (ELO 2710) opened his bid on a bright note after beating his opening round rival in the 2013 World Chess Cup in Tromso, Norway.

So, the 33rd seed, checkmated GM Alexander Ipatov of Turkey (ELO 2584) after 45 moves of a Staunton Variation, Petroff skirmish. He will need only a draw to advance to the second round.

However, 100th seed GM Oliver Barbosa (ELO 2571) and 110th seed GM Mark Paragua (ELO 2565) fell to their higher-ranked foes.

Barbosa lost to 29th seed GM Le Quang Liem of Vietnam (ELO 2702) after 43 moves of Slav Defense, Czech Defense while Paragua bowed to 28th seed GM Dmitry Jakovenko of Russia (ELO 2724) after 67 moves of Bastrikov Variation, Sicilian duel.

Barbosa and Paragua needed to win their game last night to level the count and force a rapid play off.

Meanwhile, Filipino chess fans and players were confused yesterday after the official website of the World Chess Cup had Paragua the winner. But the blog of Susan Polgar and another website, chessbase.com, showed Jakovenko the winner. /Correspondent Marlon Bernardino