YOUNGEST GRANDMASTER

MERALCO Chess Club Simul
Pasig City
W: GM Wesley SO
B: Junior SOL CRUZ

1 e4 e5
LOGICAL CHESS, "A good way to begin is to release two pieces at one stroke, and this can be done by advancing one of the center pawns."

2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Nc3 Nf6
CHESS FUNDAMENTALS, "Bring out knights before bringing out bishops."


This set-up is called the FOUR KNIGHTS' GAME. Its first Finals appearance was in first World Championship Match of 1886 won by Steinitz over Zukertort.


4 d4
The SCOTCH VARIATION is Wesley's bread and butter play in the World Juniors 2007, vs Howell and Kaplan, where he obtained his 2nd GM norm.


4 ... d6?
Best is either 4... PxP.
MY SYSTEM, "A center pawn should always be taken if this can be done without too great danger."


or 4... Bb4 
MASTERING THE CHESS OPENINGS, "Get as many pieces developed as possible, preferably early in the game."


5 Bb5
THE GAME OF CHESS, "One of the most frequent and most dangerous forms of attack is the pin."

5 ... a6 6 BxN PxB 7 PxP PxP 8 QxQ KxQ
KASPAROV TEACHES CHESS, "Beginners and those with insufficient experience should castle at the earliest opportunity. By remaining in the center, the King may be lured to the very center of the board by sacrifices and then disaster becomes imminent."

TURNING ADVANTAGE INTO VICTORY, "The first step to winning a won game is to simplify. This usually means trading queens."


9 NxP
















9 ... Bb4???
THE GAME OF CHESS, "Always consider whether the move you are thinking of making will expose you to a check."


LEARN FROM YOUR CHESS MISTAKES, "It is therefore vital, when your opponent has moved, not only to see and understand what his intention is but also to check again for a reoccurring tactical concept."


10 NxP+ Ke8??? 11 NxR BxN+ 12 PxB NxP 13 O-O Bb7??? 14 Re1 Kd7 15 RxN RxN 16 Bf4 c5 17 Rd1+ Kc8 20 Rf7+ Ka7 21 RxR h6 22 Rd7 g5 23 Be3 Kb6 24 Rf6+ Bc6 25 Rdd6 Kb5 26 RxB c4 27 Rb6+ Ka5 28 RxP+ Kb5 29 Rb6# [1-0].


This was a 15-board simul match that ended 15-0.


Wesley So became the 7th youngest person to become a grandmaster, at 14 years, 1 month and 28 days. He completed his 3rd and final GM norm in December 2007 at the Pichay Cup International Tournament.