‘We’ll welcome So if he returns’

MANILA, Philippines — Grandmaster Wesley So will be welcomed with open arms by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines if he decides to return home.

The Philippine men’s team will compete in the 41st Chess Olympiad in Tromso, Norway, from Aug.1 to 14 without its top player after So opted to serve as one of the coaches of Team USA.

“We will welcome him back with open arms if he changes his mind,” said National Chess Federation of the Philippines executive director Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales.

Despite the 20-year-old So’s absence, Gonzales remains upbeat on the national team’s chances of improving its 22nd place finish in the 2012 Istanbul Olympiad.

“We’re looking at a top 20 finish,” Gonzales said in Tuesday’s PSA Forum backed by Accel and Pagcor at  Shakey’s Malate.