SO, ANTONIO, LAYLO LEAVE FOR RUSSIA TILT IN AEROFLOT CHESS

Tuesday, February 2, 2010, 21:27
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GRANDMASTERS Wesley Barbasa So, Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. and Darwin Laylo–their baggage are all ready and will be flying this week for Moscow, Russia to compete in the Aeroflot Open 2010 which will be held on February 8.

So along his long-time manager businessman Reginald Tee are schedule to arrive the country yesterday from a successful stint in Wijk Aan Zee, Netherlands.

So tallied 7.5 points on 3 wins, 9 draws, the same output of Dutch GM Erwin L’Ami, however after the tie break points was applied, So landed over-all fifth place in Corus B was held at the Moriaan Community Centre.

National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) President/ Chairman Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr. expressed confidence that the three Filipino players will perform well and make the country proud anew.

“We expect our three players, especially Wesley, to do well in the Aeroflot chess in Moscow” said Pichay.

The Aeroflot Open is an annual event, considered one of the world’s strongest Swiss-system FIDE week long tournament.

So is aiming to improve his last years’ joints 19^th placers in the A1 group.

So tallied 5 points on 3 wins, 4 draws and 2 loses in nine outings and landed over-all 37^th placers after the tie break points was applied. GM Etienne Bacrot of France and GM Alexander Moiseenko of Ukraine settled 1-2 finish with 6.5 points each.

Last December, the triumvirate (So, Antonio and Laylo) seeing in action in the World Chess Cup in Khanty-Mansiyk, Russia.

The 16-year-old So, the top Filipino rated player with Elo Fide rating of 2656, defeated GMs Gader Gusienov of Azerbaijan, Vassily Ivanchuk of Ukraine and Gata Kamsky of the United States but lost to GM Vladimir Malakhov of Russia in the fourth round.

The 12-time national open champion Antonio, sergeant from HSSG in Philippine Army under the baton of Commanding Lt. Gen. Delfin Bangit, bowed to Kamsky in the first round while Laylo succumbed to GM David Navarra of Czech Republic.

BY: MARLON BERNARDINO.