World Cup: So advances but Sadorra falls

MANILA, Philippines — Wesley So drew with Colombian Joshua Castillo in 31 moves of a Gruenfeld Defense to complete a 1.5-0.5 win and advance to the second round of the FIDE World Cup  in Tbilisi, Georgia Monday night.

So seized the early initiative and a slight positional edge but opted for a draw, which he only needed to advance.

The world No. 2 earlier beat Castillo with the black in 59 moves of a Caro-Kann.

In their first duel, So won the exchange in the middlegame and turned it into a victory after trapping Castillo’s knight in the corner.

So will next face German Matthias Bluebaum, who also edged Argentinian Sandro Mareco, 1.5-0.5.

Julio Sadorra, meanwhile, failed to advance after being held to a 33-move draw by Russian Maxim Matlakov and dropped a 0.5-1.5 setback in their match.

Sadorra, who lost the first game, desperately went for a win but failed as Matlakov came up with precise moves to force the standoff.

Sadorra, along with the other first round losers, took home $6,000.

So, meanwhile, is assured of $10,000 for making it the second round of the top-level tournament which offers $120,000 to the champion and a spot in the World Candidates Matches, the final stage to gain a crack of the world title currently held by Magnus Carlsen.