Wesley So Shock Kamsky in World Chess Cup

Filipino chess prodigy Wesley So provided another stunning reversal as he wielded another upset axe this time the scalp of GM Gata Kamsky of the United Chess to seize a commanding 1-0 lead in their third round match-up in the 2009 World Chess Cup at the Khanty-Mansiysk Centre of Arts here Friday.

The 16 year-old So, the strongest junior player in the world,  toting an Elo rating of 2640, essayed his usual yet brilliant game over his seasoned rival and the defending champion Kamsky (2695) and to extract the full point with the disadvantageous black in 53 moves of the French Defense.

When the game ended So was leading with a queen, rook, knight and four pawns against Kamsky’s queen, rook, knight and a pair of pawns.

So who stunned and eliminated GM Vassily Ivanchuk in the second round 1.5-0.5, was threatening to attack Kamsky’s vulnerable King with his more active pieces.

So said to reporter, “I really played very well against him at the opening and he spent a lot of time,” So told the official website of the World Cup, and added “I just hope that tomorrow I will be also happy.”

So refused to accept Kamsky’s offer of a draw in the 18^th, who seemed comfortable with succeeding lines.

So needs just a draw to wrap-up his series meeting with the 27^th seeded Kamsky, if So loses however the two will engage in a tiebreak matches.  

The strings of wins pile-up by So shocked the world chess community and many believes that he will follow the footsteps of Norwegian GM sensation Magnus Carlsen.