BREAKING: Filipino-American Wins Chess Grandmaster World Title

Filipino-American chess whiz Wesley So overwhelmed world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen and toppled Saturday chess world snag the first World Fischer Random Chess Championship.

So, who previously played for the Philippines before moving to the US in 2014, beat Carlsen 13.5-2.5 in the final match of the three-day series.

Unlike standard chess, Fischer Random games start with the pieces jumbled, forcing players to drop strategies based on standard chess openings.


“"I'm very happy! It's my favorite type of chess, and it hasn't been popular until the last couple of years,” So said. “I usually win tournaments the first time and never again.”

Photo source via CNN Philippines

So said Carlsen would have easily beat him in standard chess.

“I'm very happy to be the world champion but it doesn't change much. I think he was shaken in our game 2, and wasn't able to bounce back, but he congratulated me right after the match, he is a great sportsman,” So said.


The Cavite-born So, who trails Carlsen 1-5 in standard chess, drew the first game before winning the second on Day 1. (Wesley So shocks world No. 1 Carlsen, takes early finals lead)

So followed it up with two more wins the next day to build a seemingly insurmountable lead over Carlsen, who was playing before his countrymen.

Unlike standard chess, Fischer Random players face a tougher challenge as the starting position gets jumbled every game.

The randomized setup, invented by late world champion Bobby Fischer, forces players to think and not rely on computer engines to prepare.


Fischer himself unveiled the event in Argentina in 1996, but the format took long to take root. This year’s first world event was held under FIDE (International Chess Federation).

The matches consisted of slow rapid encounters with victories worth 3 points and fast rapid games worth 2 points.

So destroyed Carlsen in the slow rapid contests, 10.5-1.5, and also topped the fast rapid duels, 3.0-1.0.

Grandmaster Yasser Seirawan, one of the commentators, said Carlsen only got a good position in Game 1.


Norwegian journalist Tarjei Svensson, in his Twitter post, said So was happily signing autographs and posed for selfies at the packed art center.



So will be competing in the Grand Chess Tour next in Bucharest where world No. 2 Fabiano Caruana – who finished 4th in Fischer Random after bowing to sixth-ranked Ian Nepomniachtchi in the battle for bronze, 12.5-5.5 – will also compete.

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This article first appeared on CNN Philippines.