Filipino Grand Master Wesley So formalized his claim of the championship crown in the 2014 Association of Chess Professionals (ACP) Golden Classic chess tournament after drawing his final round match late last Friday (Saturday in PH) at the Auditorium di Piazza della Libertà Via Norberto Duzioni 2 in Bergamo, Italy.
So won the second edition crown after finishing with 4.5 points out of the possible perfect score of 6 as the pride of the Philippines played a short draw against Sabino Brunello in the 7th round.
Aside from the tiara, So also took home the tournament’s special prize—a gold bar.
So and Brunello played a solid line in semi-Slav defense, which is known for its “drawish” structure. After 20 moves, the draw was agreed.
With his tournament performance of 2844, So gained 7.6 rating points, jumping to 12th place in the world ranking with a rating of 2755.
In the other games, Zoltan Almasi beat Emil Sutovsky, while Daniele Vocaturo passed the lanterne rouge to Ian Nepomniachtchi.
However, not all chess fans were delighted with So’s 7th round game.
“Next time GM Wesley So, if you’re planning to DRAW your last game as a draw will assure you of winning the tournament DO NOT announce it during interview days before your last match, it does not sit well with chess fans,” an anonymous writer posted in the Susan Polgar Chess Daily News and Information. “The better way to do it is not to give any indication that you are merely going for a draw.
Otherwise, it will make you appear as if you’re only after of the prize money. It would have been better if you tried everything first with draw as a last option.”