So advances to final 16

Grandmaster Wesley So drew with GM Francisco Vallejo Pons Sunday night to advance to the round of 16 in the World Chess Cup 2017 in Tbilisi, Georgia.

The Cavite-born So, now representing the USA, beat Pons in their first game Saturday to win their round of 32 duel, 1.5-0.5.

Chinese GM Bu Xiangzhi rocked the $1.6-million event when he toppled world champion Magnus Carlsen of Sweden, 1.5-0.5, in their tussle.

So will be facing either Russian GM Ian Nepomniatchi or Georgian GM Baadur Jobava in the next round.

Nepomniatchi and Jobava drew their first two games and will have to go through the tiebreak. —ROY LUARCA