So tipped to break into world's top 100

MANILA, Philippines - Teenage Grandmaster Wesley So gained 13.9 points from his recent games as he hoped to barge into the elite world’s top 100 when FIDE releases its quarterly rating list on April 1.

So, 15, earned FIDE points in the Asian Club Cup in Al Ain, UAE where he scored 5.5 points out of seven games in December last year and the Corus Group C event last January in Wijk aan Zee, the Netherlands where he emerged solo champion with 9.5 points.

He, however, faltered in the Aeroflot Open, considered as the toughest Swiss system tournament in the world, last month in Moscow where he finished five-of-nine.

Still, So is expected to jump from No. 116 in the world to the top 100 next month.

“By the next quarter, I’m sure he (So) would have a chance to break into the world top 100 because we have more international tournaments lined up for him,” said National Chess Federation of the Philippines president Butch Pichay Jr.

GMs Eugene Torre, John Paul Gomez, Mark Paragua and Joey Antonio are the next top RP players with ratings of 2560, 2537, 2519 and 2518, respectively.

The 25-year-old Paragua, who reached the super-GM status three years ago but tumbled down in the rankings with poor performances, continued his slide as he lost 18.3 points.

GM Darwin Laylo remained at No. 6 with 2512 despite gaining 8.3 points with a solid effort in the Asian Club Cup while IM Rolando Nolte remained at No. 7 with 2488.

Joseph Sanchez, tipped to become the country’s 11th GM next month, gained most with 21.6 points from his campaigns in Europe as he jumped from No. 12 to No. 8.

Rounding up the top 15 are IM Richard Bitoon (2470), GM Bong Villamayor (2470), GM Jayson Gonzales (2466), IM Julio Catalino Sadorra (2451), IM Roland Salvador (2445), IM Oliver Barbosa (2435) and IM Ronald Dableo (2432).