So out of title contention in London Chess Classic
GM Wesley So
MANILA, Philippines – Wesley So fought to another draw — his eighth straight — against Sergey Karjakin of Russia in 54 moves of a Bogo-Indian Defense to practically kiss his title chances goodbye in the eighth and penultimate round of the London Chess Classic in London, England Sunday night.
The Cavite-born, Minnetonka, Minnesota-based So won a pawn in the endgame, but Karjakin found a way to regain it to escape with a draw. It was So’s eighth draw in row for a share of fourth spot with three others with four points, or 1.5 points behind Russian Ian Nepomniachtchi.
Nepomniachtchi seized the solo lead by pulling off a shock 40-move win over reigning world champion Magnus Carlsen of a Queen’s Pawn Game with 5.5 points.
Fabiano Caruana split the point with fellow American Hikaru Nakamura to slid at No. 2 with five points while France’s Maxime Vachier-Lagrave drew with India’s Vishwanathan Anand of India to skid at No. 3 with 4.5 points.
Carlsen fell into the So-led Group that also included Nakamura and 2018 World Cup titlist Levon Aronian of Armenia.
So is using this tournament as part of his preparation for the Candidates Tournament set in March next year in Berlin, Germany, where the champion will get a shot at Carlsen for the world title.
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