So, Ivanchuk draw, keep Edmonton chess No. 1 spot

Super Grandmasters Wesley So and Vassily Ivanchuk drew their fourth round game Tuesday night and stayed on top of the 9th Edmonton Chess Festival in Alberta, Canada.

Earlier, So, ranked No. 15 in the world with an Elo of 2744,  beat Canadian International Master Richard Wang, American GM Samuel Shankland and Canadian IM Raja Panjwani in succession to match Ivanchuk’s 3.5 points.

The victims of Ivanchuk were Panjwani, Canadian GM Anton Kovalyov and Canadian Fide Master Alex Yam, respectively.

So, who is seeking his release from the National Chess Federation of the Philippines to transfer to the United States Federation, will also conduct a simul against 20 players rated 2000 and under.

So, 20, is among the players submitted by the NCFP to the Tromso Chess Olympiad secretariat and is also listed under the US Federation as a coach.

According to NCFP executive director GM Jayson Gonzales, it should pose no problem as So can play for the Philippines and coach the US at the same time.

Gonzales said there’s already a precedent in the Olympiad, where a Colombian woman player also coached the North American team.  Roy Luarca