Filipino American Grandmaster Wesley So made a formidable impression at the Aimchess Rapid leg of the 2023 Champions Chess Tour (CCT), reaching a tournament event Grand Final for the first time. Despite landing the Runner Up spot to World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen, So’s striking four-game winning streak against some of the world’s top Grandmasters signified his excellent playing form.
The Philippines-born So, now representing the United States, granted Norwegian Carlsen’s wish for their matchup in the Division I Grand Final of the fourth leg of the CCT held online on Saturday, July 15, Philippine Standard Time (Friday, July 14 ET). Wesley So made good on his second chance to vie for the title and became the winner of the Losers Bracket to earn the right to challenge Carlsen of the Winners Bracket. But winning against the Norwegian wasn’t going to be easy; So needed to claim two back-to-back wins and triumph in an armageddon game and an additional match to secure the Aimchess Rapid champion title.
So vs. Carlsen: The Rival Champions
So and Carlsen are no strangers to each other in tournament finals. The two have exchanged wins across various world tournament finals, including the 2020-2021 Champions Chess Tour and the 2018 World Fischer Random Championship which the Filipino American won in the Norwegian’s home front. The rivalry added an extra layer of excitement to the Grand Final. Even though Carlsen led their overall rapid score with 24 wins, So’s record against the world champion is impressive, claiming victory 19 times. As commentator GM David Howell accurately summed up, “Roses are red, Chessboards aren’t blue, Magnus or Wesley, I don’t have a clue.”
Journey to the Grand Final: A Test of Perseverance
Wesley So’s journey to the Grand Final began with four successive victories in the Losers Bracket, after an initial loss to Uzbek Nodirbek Abdusattorov on July 10. Along the way, So bested Russian Vladimir Fedoseev, American Italian Fabiano Caruana, and Venezuelan Eduardo Iturrizaga. He then exacted revenge against Abdusattorov in the Losers Bracket Final on July 13. “Though both Iturrizaga and Abdusattorov showed up at the board ready with creative ideas and fighting spirit, So was in phenomenal form,” commented Chesscom on the Fil-Am’s performance.
Grand Final Showdown: World No. 1 vs. World No. 8
After five grueling games, So found himself across the board from Magnus Carlsen. Carlsen, having played only three games in the Winners’ Bracket, had the advantage of relative rest. The opening games of the Grand Final saw Carlsen claim the first two victories. But So, showcasing his tenacity and resilience, made a remarkable comeback with a win in game 3. Although he bowed out in game 4, his performance marked an unforgettable match.
WATCH Wesley So’s stunning comeback win in game 3 of the Aimchess Rapid Grand Final here:
Soaring Higher: CCT Standings and Future Opportunities
With the Runner Up position, So took home a $20,000 prize and 100 tour points, boosting his CCT standings. The three-time U.S. Chess Champion is now ranked 5th in the CCT with 205 points. His exceptional performance in the Aimchess Rapid sets him on a clear path to the Top 8 qualifiers for the Champions Chess Tour Finale. Scheduled in December in Toronto, Canada, the Finale is an event So will be looking forward to, given his victory in the Global Chess Championship held there last year.
Wesley So is now in 5th place on the Champions Chess Tour standings after raking in 100 tour points as the Runner Up winner of the Aimchess Rapid. With 205 points, @GMWesleySo123 has a clear path to the Top 8 who will qualify for the CCT Finale in December @chesscom pic.twitter.com/iqpcQ85Vqu
— Angie Quadra Balibay (@AngieQBalibay) July 16, 2023
Champions Chess Tour: Past and Future Performances
In the 2020-2021 Champions Chess Tour, So won the Skilling Open and the Euro Opera Rapid against Carlsen, and the Chessable Masters.
Incorporating the best features of previous editions of the Champions Chess Tour and the Chesscom Global Championship, the 2023 CCT consists of six events throughout the year, culminating in a live in-person Finale. The tournament has a $2,000,000 prize fund with $500,000 at stake in the CCT final stop in Toronto on December 15-22.
Wesley So, who won the Chesscom Global Championship last year, faced off against Hikaru Nakamura in the Losers Bracket Final of the first event at the Airthings Masters in February and reached Losers Bracket Round 2 against Magnus Carlsen in the Chessable Masters in April. So did not play in the Chesskid Cup in May.
Looking Ahead: Wesley So’s Chess Journey Continues
Wesley So has confirmed he will compete in the 5th event, scheduled for August 28 – September 1. However, he won’t be able to participate in the 6th event, taking place from September 25-29.
As his chess journey continues, the chess world watches with anticipation as this remarkable player continues to make his mark on the global stage.
SEND CONGRATULATIONS in the comments below to Wesley So for his exceptional plays at the Aimchess Rapid event of the Champions Chess Tour!
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