Family spat may have cost Wesley So a defeat at US Championship

MANILA, Philippines – It was so rare for Wesley So to miss a strong attacking line against anyone but 10 moves after missing this, he had to extend his hand in surrender for the second time in the US Championship on Wednesday morning, April 8. 

With a few minutes left, So needed to give up his rook for a bishop thereby releasing the power of his Queen’s bishop against Robson’s position. 

There was no immediate mate but Robson would have to endure a difficult endgame of Rooks and opposite-colored bishops where So had all the play, postmortem analysis revealed.

So lost to former Webster University teammate Ray Robson in the sixth round in a 41-move Ruy Lopez, bringing his total to three points. So’s live rating has gone down to ninth in the world after a high of third with his second loss, which is uncommon for him. 

The defeat, which came after a day of rest, pulled So to share of third place with 3.5 points. Robson, his former roommate at Webster, is now second with 4 points. The leader is the top American player, Hikaru Nakamura with 4.5 points.

Netizens made fun of him during play by calling “So-So play”and as Caissa said in chessbomb.com: ” This was a so-so-game by So it seems like So is out of form. Dont you think so?” 

The reason for So losing twice in a strong tournament for the first time in nearly five years may lie in a post at Chess Philippines a few hours after the game. The post alleged that two of So’s relatives went to the venue in St Louis and met him in the early rounds. The meeting went sour and affected So’s play, it is claimed. 

An email to family members of the Philippines’ former top player was not answered as of this time.

A former chess federation official said that “this obvious domestic issue” should have been “settled privately.” 

There was no comment from Webster University coach Susan Polgar who raised So’s playing strength to be among the world’s top 10 players last year. So left Webster late last year to turn professional. – Rappler.com