Wesley So needs win to raise live rating to 2760

MANILA, Philippines — All Wesley So needs is a draw, but a win over Italian Grandmaster Sabino Brunello in the final round will further boost his stock in the international chess arena.

With 4.0 points in five games, the top-seeded So (Elo 2744) is virtually assured of the ACP Golden Classic title as his closest pursuer, Israeli GM Emil Sutovsky, was at 3.0 points, also after five games.

Georgian GM Baadur Jobava (Elo 2713), whom So beat in the sixth round, stood at 3.5 points, but he has completed his six-game assignment in the seven-player, single round robin tournament in Bergamo, Italy.

Jobava rebounded by besting Hungarian GM Zoltan Almasi (2693) in their adjourned match Saturday night. Other completed adjourned matches saw Italian GM Daniele Vocaturo (2584) beat Brunello and Almasi split the point with Brunello.

Sutovsky will face Almasi in Round 7 while second seed Russian GM Ian Nepomniachtchi (Elo 2730), who is out of contention with just 2.0 points, tackles Vocaturo.

Currently with a personal-best live rating of 2757.3, So will reach the 2760 mark and share the world No. 11 ranking with a victory over Brunello, who will handle white.