So remains undefeated after 3 rounds of Philippines "Battle of Grandmasters"

National Post Office, Manila

It's three for three for Wesley So in 2008 Philippines "Battle of Grandmasters" chess championship at the City State Hotel in Padre Faura, Manila. So beat fellow grandmaster Jayson Gonzales in 41 moves of an English Opening.

Gomez settled for a draw with IM Richard Bitoon while Torre defeated Hamed Nouri to share second spot with 2.5 points each.

Antonio bounced back after his loss to So in round two by defeating IM Rolando Nolte and climbing to 1.5 points, the same total posted by Singapore-based IM Julio Catalino Sadorra.

The 21-year-old Sadorra also wins his first victory of the tournament by besting GM Buenaventura “Bong” Villamayor in 24 moves of the Sicilian.

Standings after three rounds
Men: 3.0 points—W. So; 2.5—E. Torre, J. Gomez; 2.0—R. Bitoon; 1.5—R. Antonio, J. Sadorra, F. Donguines, H. Nouri; 0.5—J. Gonzales, B. Villamayor, O. Barbosa, R. Nolte.
Women: 3.0 points—Shercila Cua; 2.5—Sherily Cua, Y. Jose, C. Perena; 2.0—C. Bernales; 1.5—A. Salvador; 1.0—K. Cunanan. J. Docena; 0.5—E. Magno, J. Palomo, B. Mendoza, C. Camacho.

[Event "Battle of Grandmasters"]
[Site "CITYSTATE Hotel, Manila, PHI"]
[Date "2008.04.27"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Gonzales, Jayson"]
[Black "So, Wesley"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A38"]
[WhiteElo "2468"]
[BlackElo "2540"]
[PlyCount "79"]
[EventDate "2008.04.27"]


1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. g3 g6 5. Bg2 Bg7 6. O-O O-O 7. d3 d6 8. a3 a6 9. Rb1 Rb8 10. b4 cxb4 11. axb4 b5 12. cxb5 axb5 13. h3 h6 14. e4 Be6 15. Bd2 Qd7 16. Kh2 g5 17. d4 d5 18. exd5 Nxd5 19. Ne4 Bf5 20. Nc5 Qd6 21. Rb3 Rfd8 22. Re1 Qf6 23. Ne4 Qg6 24. Qe2 Qh5 25. Ra3 Rbc8 26. Rc1 g4 27. Nh4 Nxd4 28. Qd1 Rxc1 29. Bxc1 Be6 30. Nc5 Nc3 31.Qh1 gxh3 32.Bb7 Qe2 33.Nxe6 Qxf2+ 34.Kxh3 Nxe6 35.Qf3 Qc2 36.Bxh6 Ne2 37.Be3 Ng1+ 38.Bxg1 Ng5+ 39.Kg4 Nxf3 40.Nxf3 Qc7 41.Ra7 Qd7+ 0-1