Filipino-American grandmaster Wesley So, rated 2778 and number seven in the world, winner of last year's Millionaire Tournament in Las Vegas and split of the second place in the Wijk aan Zee supertournament, is known for his attractive and aggressive playing style, is currently taking on the Czech number one David Navara, at 2751 the world number 14, in the ČEZ Chess Trophy. This is an annual event that has been staged by the Prague Chess Society during the last twelve years. Here's how David fared during that time:
| Year | Opponent |
Navara's score
|
| 2003 | Viktor Korchnoi |
1.5-0.5
|
| 2004 | Alexei Shirov |
0.5-1.5
|
| 2005 | Anatoly Karpov |
1.0-1.0
|
| 2006 | Boris Gelfand |
2.0-2.0
|
| 2007 | Nigel Short |
3.0-7.0
|
| 2008 | Vladimir Kramnik |
2.5-5.5
|
| 2009 | Vassily Ivanchuk |
2.5-5.5
|
| 2010 | Judit Polgar |
2.0-6.0
|
| 2011 | Sergei Movsesian |
3.5-2.5
|
| 2012 | Peter Svidler |
1.0-3.0
|
| 2013 | Hou Yifan |
3.0-4.0
|
| 2014 | Hikaru Nakamura, |
0.5-3.5
|
Wesley So, arrival in Prague, one of the most beautiful cities in Europe
Visiting the famous Chess Café Václavák
This chess festival started on Friday June 12th with a simultaneous display by So against 22 opponents, some rated over 2200. Wesley played 1.e4 on all boards and those who responded with 1...e5 had to face the King’s Gambit!
The display lasted just one hour and 40 minutes, after which the "Filipino Lightning" (official web site) had won 18 games, drawn three opponents (the manager of ČEZ Jan Hruška, the Brazilian Edouardo Moura, and the Czech chess talent of Vietnamese origin Thai Dai Van Nguyen).
The single loss was to another ČEZ manager, Libor Kičmer
The evening opening ceremony was held on a terrace with a view over the Franciscan garden,
with the mayor of Prague, Oldřich Lomecký (above middle) present to greet the participants.
The drawing of colours, performed by main organizer Pavel Matocha...
... gave Wesley So black in the first game. We cannot resist mentioning that while the main event painting
(by Martin Velíšek) is quite imaginative, the likeness of Wesley is not wholly convincing.
Still congenial: the hostilities were due to start the next day at
Michna Palace on Kampa Island in Prague at four p.m. local time.
Arriving at the playing venue with his adopted mother and former actress Lotis Key
Czech hero and top player David Navara, 2751 and world number 14
Filipino-American grandmaster Wesley So, rated 2778, number seven in the world
The games are commentated by GM Rober Cvek and Václav Pech
The first game saw an exciting, attacking game which culminated in an opposite bishop endgame in which Black had two extra pawns. However the Czech grandmaster was able to hold and the game ended in a draw.
Wesley So began with an attacking Sicilian, to which his opponent later remarked: “Somewhere around move 16 I was worried, that I might actually lose the first game.” Our endgame guru from ChessBase Magazine, GM Karsten Müller, found the game "really amazing" and sent us his comments. He shows us how Wesley So could have won.
All photos by Anežka Kružíková for the official website
LinksThe games are being broadcast live on the official web site and on the chess server Playchess.com. If you are not a member you can download a free Playchess client and get immediate access. You can also use ChessBase 12 or any of our Fritz compatible chess programs. |
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