So virtual Grand Chess Tour champ

MANILA, Philippines — Wesley So will tie reigning world champion Magnus Carlsen as the most titled player in the Grand Chess Tour (GCT).

So split the point with French nemesis Maxime Vachier-Lagrave in 50 moves of a Ruy Lopez to virtually claim his second GCT crown with still a round to go in the Sinquefield Cup in Saint Louis, Missouri Wednesday night.

The standoff ensured the defending world Fischer-Random king and two-time US champion the GCT overall title to join Carlsen as the winningest in this annual tournament with two titles each.

So, who was born and grew up in Cavite but rose to as high as No. 2 in the world when he migrated years ago to the US, would put the icing on the cake against the US’ Leinier Dominguez Perez in the final round.

So would earn a bonus of $100,000 (P5 million) for emerging the overall winner apart from a share of $325,000 for his showing in this nine-round event.