So downs American, gains share of lead in Canada tiff

MANILA, Philippines – Wesley So continued to live up to his top billing as he downed the American Grandmaster Samuel Shankland to share the lead with former World Challenger Vassily Ivanchuk of Ukraine with two points in as many rounds of the 9th Edmonton Chess Festival in Canada Monday.

So, 20, dismantled Shankland's Benko Gambit by snaring a pawn advantage in the opening that he eventually translated into an unstoppable queenside passed pawn to carve out the 36-move win.

It was So's second straight victory after crushing Canadian International Master Richard Wang in 36 moves of a Gruenfeld game in Sunday's opening round.

The Webster U standout, currently ranked 15th in the world, joined Ivanchuk, seeded second here who overpowered Canadian GM Anton Kovalyov in 35 moves of yet another Gruenfeld encounter.

This tournament is So's first since he announced he will be changing allegiance from the National Chess Federation of the Phl to the US Chess Federation.

The NCFP though continued to insist that So, who was seeded outright along with US-based GMs Julio Catalino Sadorra and Oliver Barbosa, is still part of the Phl team bound for the World Chess Olympiad set from Aug. 1-15 in Tromso, Norway.

The other two slots are still being contested by 11 players currently competing in the Battle of Grandmasters or Olympiad qualifiers at the Phl Sports Commission administration building in Vito Cruz, Manila.

After four rounds, Olympiad veteran Eugene Torre led the way along with young IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia and Woman FIDE Master Janelle Mae Frayna with nine points apiece.

The 62-year-old Torre, who owns the record of most Olympiad appearances with 21, trounced IM Richard Bitoon while Garcia defeated Joel Pimentel and Frayna shocked GM Joey Antonio.