So leads Olympic team with Barbosa, Sadorra

MANILA, Philippines — After ruling the Capablanca Memorial 2014 in Havana, Cuba, on Sunday, Grandmaster Wesley So’s next calling is to spearhead the Philippine team to a lofty placing in the coming Chess Olympiad.

So, 20, sealed his domination of the Category 19 event (average Elo 2721) with a quick 12-move draw with Hungarian GM Zoltan Almasi in the 10th and final round to finish with 6.5 points, a full point ahead of Cuban GM Lazaro Bruzon.

So’s strong showing against former winners of the elite six-man tournament padded his Elo live rating to 2744.4 points, 15th highest in the world.

National Chess Federation of the Philippines president Prospero “Butch” Pichay said So’s top form will augur well for the country’s campaign in the 41st Olympiad, set Aug. 1 to 14 in Tromso, Norway.

Pichay said So will be joined in the team by GMs Oliver Barbosa and Julio Catalino Sadorra. Roy Luarca