FILIPINO Grandmaster (GM) Wesley Barbasa So defeated Chinese Grandmaster (GM) Hou Yifan in the last round after 30 moves of English Opening to settle for a tie for fifth place with Indian Grandmaster (GM) Viswanathan Anand at the conclusion of 2018 Tata Steel chess tournament in Hiversum, the Netherlands, last Sunday.
Anand, meantime halved a point with Azerbaijan Grandmaster (GM) Shakhriyar Mamedyarov after 67 moves of Queens Gambit declined.
However, Anand, who honed his chess skills in Manila in the mid 80’s under the guidance of the late National Master (NM) Victor Cabrido, won overall 5th place after edging fellow 8.0 pointers So in a tie break points.
The Bacoor, Cavite native So, who migrated in the United States to pursue his professional chess career, landed at overall sixth place.
Reigning World Champion Norweigian Grandmaster (GM) Magnus Carlsen needed a blitz play off to capture the title.
Carlsen beat Dutch Grandmaster (GM) Anish Giri, 1.5-0.5, to win the match.