So beats world no. 3 Giri in 37 moves

MANILA, Philippines -- Grandmaster Wesley So downed World No. 3 Dutch GM Anish Giri in 37 moves of an English Opening to seize an early share of the lead at the start of the Tata Steel Masters Chess 2016 in Wijk aan Zee, The Netherlands Saturday night.

Playing a timid variation of the English game, So outplayed Giri in what looked like a drawish middle game, slowly building an advantage after the former pounced on the latter over-extended pawns.

The win propelled So to a three-way tie at first with Chinese GM Ding Liren and GM Fabiano Caruana, his United States teammate, with a point each.

Ding turned back English GM Michael Adams while Caruana Ukrainian GM Pavel Eljanov.

So, who is eyeing to finally win here after falling a half a point behind to last year's eventual winner Carlsen, faces off with reigning women's world champion GM Hou Yifan of China next in the second round being played at press time.

Hou split the point with Russian Sergey Karjakin in a big group at second that included Carlsen, who drew with Czech GM David Navarra.
So is aiming to bounce back from a disappointing 18th place finish in the Qatar Open topped by Carlsen late last year.