Wesley So outlasts Indian GM in 80 moves

MANILA, Philippines — Wesley So snapped a four-game run of draws with a marathon 80-move victory over Indian Baskaran Adhiban Wednesday to bounce back into contention in the Tata Chess Steel Masters 2018 in Wijk aan Zee, the Netherlands.

So flashed endgame brilliance to stun Adhiban in their English Opening match and hike his total to three points, now half-a-point behind joint leaders Vishwanathan Anand of India, Anish Giri of the Netherlands and Shakhriyar Mamedyarov of Azerbaijan.

Joining So at fourth are reigning world champion Magnus Carlsen and Vladimir Kramnik of Russia, who drew their match.

The 13-round tournament took a break Thursday and will resume tonight with So clashing with Chinese teenage sensation Wei Yi, who split the point with Anand, in the sixth round.

The Tata Steel meet is So’s final tune-up for the Candidates Tournament slated March 10-28 in Berlin, Germany where the champion will challenge Carlsen for the world crown.