U.S. champ Wesley So off to rousing start to Champion Chess Tour

Norway’s Magnus Carlsen (his back turned) and Wesley So of the U.S. play final games during the World Fischer Random Chess Championship 2019 at Henie Onstad Art Center in Baerum, Norway, Oct. 31, 2019. NTB Scanpix/Berit Roald via REUTERS FILE

FAIRFAX, Virginia – Filipino American Grandmaster Wesley So recently won the Skilling Open, kicking off his Champion Chess Tour campaign that runs until Sept. 2021.

So beat fellow GM Magnus Carlsen in a tiebreak, earning $30,000 in what was the first leg of the $1.5 million online Champions Chess Tour. Magnus Carlsen of Norway is the world champion.

So, 27, tied their main match 4-4 then won the speed tie-break in an impressive performance. He became the first player ever to defeat Mr. Carlsen in his favorite Sicilian Defense.

So grew up in Bacoor, Cavite and later immigrated to Canada and then to the United States, where he was adopted by former actress Lotis Key and her husband Renato Kabigting who live in Minnesota.

He became 1^st became US champion when he beat Alexander Onischuk in a rapid playoff tiebreak to capture the US Chess Championship. He became US champion again last October by topping the online competition.