Senators Laud Chess Pinoy Grandmaster

Senators Laud Chess Pinoy Grandmaster

The Senate this week adopted a resolution congratulating and commending Chess Grandmaster Wesley So for placing 8th in the World Chess Ranking, making him the highest-rated Filipino Grandmaster in history.

Resolution 1220, introduced by Senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV, said So is the only Filipino to have reached a 2700 rating in the World Chess Federation “and as such is worthy of recognition.”

The Senate adopted a resolution last October 14, 2013 congratulating and commending So for bringing honor and distinction to the Philippines by winning the gold medal in the men’s chess competitions of the 27th Summer Universiade (World University Games) in Russia, the first time that any individual or team from the Philippines had won a gold medal in any sport in 54 years of competitions at the Universiade. 

Senate President Franklin M. Drilon said that the resolution is meant to acknowledge outstanding athletes like So for their high achievements, and to encourage other world-class Filipinos to excel in their respective fields of sport. 

So is the Philippines’ youngest ever International Master, the youngest ever Grandmaster (GM), the youngest ever national champion, and the eight youngest player in the world to attain the Grandmaster in history, at age 14. 

“Since his transfer to the United Sates Chess Federation, So has soared to No. 2 in the U.S. World Chess Federation (FIDE) rating list and has staked his claim among the world’s top 10 as he is now officially ranked the No. 8 highest rated chess player in the world as of March 2015,” the resolution said.

According to the resolution, So has also reached No. 6 in the world in live ratings at Tata Steel chess super tournaments in Netherlands in January 2015.

“But despite his transfer to the U.S. Chess Federation in order to get more serious training and to be able to compete in high level events, So maintained his Filipino citizenship, and has time and again declared his pride for his Filipino heritage amidst his impressive world rankings,” the resolution said.

“So deserves to be commended for being a source of great pride and inspiration to the Filipino people,” the resolution added. /MP