MANILA TIMES: WESLEY SO

Wesley is world’s youngest super GM

WESLEY SO officially became the world’s youngest super grandmaster based on the latest rating release of FIDE. The 14-year-old from Bacoor, Cavite breached the 2600-barrier following his impressive performances in this year’s World Junior Championship and World Under-16 Chess Olympiad where he collected the gold medal on the top board. So’s current rating is 2610. It went as high as 2624 before the twin international tournaments in the Philippines. GM Mark Paragua still holds the mark for the highest official rating among Filipino players, hitting his peak at 2621 two years ago. Asia’s first GM Eugene Torre, who recently topped the PGMA Cup, remained at second in the local rating list with 2560 followed by Paragua with 2526. Rounding up the top 10 in the local rating chart are International Master John Paul Gomez with 2519, GM Rogelio Antonio Jr. with 2515, GM Darwin Laylo with 2507, Rolando Nolte with 2489, IM Joseph Sanchez with 2471, GM Jayson Gonzales with 2469 and GM Bong Villamayor with 2468. Super GM Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria regained the top spot in the world ranking with 2791 while Super GM Judith Polgar of Hungary remained on top on the distaff side with 2711. Super GM Magnus Carlsen of Norway grabbed the top spot in the juniors’ rating with 2786 while Yi Fan Hou of China topped the girls’ chart with 2578.