Kamsky - So, 0-1

Yesterday's talk among the Pinoys in Town Hall was, of course, none other than Wesley So. He might never be as rich as another of our other heroes, Manny Pacquiao, but Wesley already deserves to be as equally venerated, I think. Whatever happens now in the ongoing World Cup, the young Pinoy's accomplishments are just wonderful and amazing.

Last night I left his game against American powerhouse super GM Gata Kamsky after 24...f6 and thought, well, this should at least be a draw, although according to my engines he had a slight plus. I wake up this morning and it's, it's, yes, Wesley won!

World Cup 2009
Kamsky, Gata
So, Wesley
C11

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. e5 Nfd7 5. f4 c5 6. Nf3 Nc6 7. Be3 Qb6 8. a3 cxd4 9. Nxd4 Bc5 10. Na4 Qa5+ 11. c3 Bxd4 12. Bxd4 Nxd4 13. Qxd4 b6 14. Be2 Ba6 15. Bd1 Qb5 16. b4 Rc8 17. Nb2 Qc6 18. Rc1 O-O 19. a4 Bc4 20. Bg4 Bb3 21. O-O Bxa4 22. f5 Bb5 23. Rfe1 Rfe8 24. Re3

Position after 24. Re3

24...f6 25. fxe6 Nxe5 26. Bf5 g6 27. Bh3 Qd6 28. Rd1 Rcd8 29. Rd2 Qe7 30. Rf2 Nc6 31. Qd2 d4 32. Re4 dxc3 33. Qxc3 Rf8 34. g4 Rd6 35. Bg2 Ne5 36. g5 Rxe6 37. gxf6 Rfxf6 38. Rxf6 Qxf6 39. Re3 Bc6 40. Nd1 Qg5 41. Rg3 Qf4 42. Nf2 Bxg2 43. Kxg2 Nc4 44. Qd3 Ne3+ 45. Kg1 Nf5 46. Qd5 Qc1+ 47. Nd1 Kf7 48. Rc3 Qg5+ 49. Kf2 Qf4+ 50. Kg2 Qg4+ 51. Kf2 Qe2+ 52. Kg1 Qe1+ 53. Kg2 Kg7 0-1

In this interview on the official site, Wesley is quoted as saying, "I am 16 and the greatest achievement for me so far is the second place in one tournament with average rating about 2700. At the moment my rating is 2640. I dream that sooner or later I will come to the magical point 2700. I don't know how much time I will need for that."

Oh, he'll get there. No doubt about it.