The 23-year-old Filipino US resident competed with 12 top US chess players who are all ranking members of the US Chess Federation from March 29 to April 19, 2017.
So won the coveted title after three attempts since 2015. It was his first major victory after joining the US Chess Federation in 2014. So has won major world tournaments representing the Philippines before moving to the US with adoptive parents Lotis Key and husband, Renato Kabigting in Minnesota. Read more:
So’s 2017 tournament calendar is full. This June, So is set to compete in the 2017 Altibox Norway Chess in Stavanger, Norway from June 5-17. Just a day after his stint in Norway, So will fly to Paris, France for the 2017 GCT Paris Rapid and Blitz scheduled for June 18 – June 26.
From June 26 to July 3, So will compete in the 2017 GCT Belgium “Your Next Move” Rapid and Blitz in Leuven Belgium.
So will have have a lull for three days after his Belgium blitz but will have to travel to Spain for the 2017 XXX Torneo Magistral de Ajedrez Ciudad de Leon set for July 5 to 10 at the Leon, Castile / Leon Spain.
After his engagement in Spain, So will fly back to the US to participate in the upcoming 2017 The Sinquefield Cup from July 31 – August 12 at the St. Louis Chess Club in Missouri.
So’s most important game this year would be the 2017 World Cup which will take place on September 1 to 25 in Batumi Georgia. So hopes to become one of the two top finishers in the tournament in order to qualify for the 2018 World Chess Championship Cup.
So will end his 2017 grueling schedule with his participation in the 2017 London Chess Classic from November 28 – December 19 in London, United Kingdom.
At 23, So is now ranked No. 2 in the world and there is a great possibility he will collide with the equally young (26-year-old) current world champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway, who has defended his title since 2013.
When asked if he ever dreamed about chess in his sleep, he said “never.” But he realized he is indeed No.2 in the sport.
“Well, I never thought I would be number two. But now that I’m here, I want to try to be number one. I’m not entirely satisfied with number two. I mean, I’m very happy to get there, but I hope I can reach further.” he added.
But first, So needs to qualify for next year’s big tournament and its quite a long way to go and a difficult task to accomplish.
