Go Laylo?

Good friends. GMs So and Laylo. They'll face tomorrow for the lead in zone 3.3.


Hep, hep. Wait...don't get the title wrong. I'm not rooting for Darwin Laylo nor for Wesley So here whatsoever or I'm being bias to any of our Filipino players. My thinking was this: I want to see an all out war between this two good buddies although I'm expecting a quiet draw (I hope I would be proven wrong). Looking at the standings, it maybe the wisest of decisions. That's part of their tragedy if they both decided for a truce. But if Darwin wants to become an instant celebrity, despite all the risk, he should go for it.

1. GM Laylo Darwin PHI 2494 4
2. GM So Wesley PHI 2646 3,5
3.GM Zhang Zhong SIN 2613 3
4. Bao Khoa VIE 2161 3
5. GM Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son VIE 2592 3
6. IM Bitoon Richard PHI 2495 3
7. IM Nguyen Huynh Minh Huy VIE 2500 3
8. GM Dao Thien Hai VIE 2552 3
9. GM Paragua Mark PHI 2487 3
10. GM Bui Vinh VIE 2517 3
11. FM Batchuluun Tsegmed MGL 2384 3
12. IM Duong The Anh VIE 2440 3

Laylo is up against the hugely and crazy popular player in the name of Wesley So. Fact is, it's been quite a while since a fellow Pinoy has defeated GM Wesley So in a major tournament. So a victory against Wesley would definitely make Laylo a household name even if it will only last for a short period of time. The name Laylo will be the center of discussions in chess forums. His game would be analyzed and discussed, receiving exclamation remarks from some of his good moves to be admire by everyone. Wouldn't that be nice? It may not be an easy task though. The last time this two met was at the Battle of GMs in Dapitan where So, despite having secured the title with two rounds to spare, opted to go for the win against his good friend. Of course each Filipinos who are seeing action in the Zonal is capable of defeating Wesley but Darwin, still fresh from his triumph at National Open in Victory Mall last month and the way he is performing at Hanoi right now, (he's 4 out of 4 thus far) I think he has the tools and spirit of upsetting Wesley So, in my opinion. Go Laylo?

It's your choice Darwin.

Men

For pairings and results of every rounds, http://www.chess-results.com/tnr23592.aspx?art=2&rd=3&lan=1&flag=30&m=-1&wi=1000

For standings, http://www.chess-results.com/tnr23592.aspx?art=1&rd=2&lan=1&flag=30&m=-1&wi=1000


Women

For pairings and results of every rounds, http://www.chess-results.com/tnr23591.aspx?art=2&rd=3&lan=1&flag=30&m=-1&wi=1000

For standings, http://www.chess-results.com/tnr23591.aspx?art=1&rd=2&lan=1&flag=30&m=-1&wi=1000


And for replay/PGN of games, http://www.vietnamchess.com.vn/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=255&Itemid=264

(Note: you may need to activate/install java in your browser to view them)

Asian, Vietnam Zonal 3.3 official website