So topples Indian in Dubai chess opener

Wesley So, sustaining the momentum of his inspiring record-setting feat in the recent Olympiad qualifier, thumped Natun Dasgupta of India to join the siege of the favorites at the start of the eighth Dubai Open Chess Championships at the Dubai Chess and Culture Club in Dubai, United Arab Emirates Sunday.

But the 12-year-old chess whiz, who became the youngest Filipino player to make it to the Olympiad team, will have his hands full when he faces Farid Abbasov of Azerbaijan in the second round.

The field is led by top seed GMs Zviad Izoria of Georgia and Darmen Sadvakasov of Kazakhstan.

Meanwhile, So is also set to see action in the International Chess Festival on June 15-19 in Las Vegas and the 34th World Open in Philadelphia as he tries to complete his bid for an IM norm this year.

Organized by Dubai Chess Club, the event offers a total purse of $40,000 with the champion getting $5,000.

Izoria demolished M. Sadatnajafi in the week-long event which attracted of 20 GMs, 17 IMs and 40 other titled players.

Izoria is the Open division winner of 2005 HB Global Chess Challenge last May in Minneapolis, USA.