Draw slows down So; Torre tops Battle of GMs

Super Grandmaster Wesley So was held to a draw by Fide Master Vladmir Pechenkin in the seventh round Friday night and dropped into a tie for top spot with fellow Super GM Vassily Ivanchuk in the 9th Edmonton Chess Festival in Alberta, Canada.

So and Ivanchuk, who beat FM Dal Haessel, were both at 6.0 points. A distant third at 4.5 points was American GM Samuel Shankland.

Meanwhile, veteran GM Eugene Torre sustained his vintage form Saturday, beating International Master Paulo Bersamina to rule the Battle of Grandmasters at Philippine Sports Commission Athletes Dining Hall.

Still sharp and brilliant at 62, Torre amassed 23 points in the 11-round event to qualify for Team Philippines in the Chess Olympiad in Tromso, Norway, this August where he will be making a record 21st Olympiad stint.

GM John Paul Gomez settled for a draw with IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia and landed second with 22.5 points.