The defending champion of the tournament, GM Wesley So, finally bags home his first win in this event over his nemesis, Anish Giri, in the eighth round of Bilbao Masters Final 2016.
The game opened with the classic Giuoco Piano. Eventually, they found themselves maneuvering the game with four-knights play leading towards the endgame, until strategic play led Wesley So to be up by a clear pawn by move 46. Anish Giri found himself trapped in a mating net and resigned after white’s 57th move. See diagram of the game below:
And thus, here, Giri cannot stop the mate by the next move in either 58. Rg7+ or 58. Nh4+.[replay]
Because of that win, Wesley So is now number 8 in the live ratings ranking, overtaking Anand and Karjakin:
Meanwhile, Sergey Karjakin failed to even his score against the World Champion Magnus Carlsen in their last two games leading to the World Championship in November, after they drew their Round 8 game. Carlsen won against Karjakin in Round 3 of this event.[replay]
Hikaru Nakamura stays unbeaten in this tournament as he drew his 8th round game against Wei Yi.[replay]
At the end of Round 8, Wesley So is tied at 3rd place with Wei Yi.
Bilbao Masters Final 2016 Ranking after Round 8
# | Name | Elo | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Pts. | TB |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Magnus Carlsen | 2851 | xxx | 0+1 | 3+1 | 3 | 3+1 | 1 | 13 | |
2 | Hikaru Nakamura | 2787 | 3+1 | xxx | 1+1 | 1+1 | 1 | 1 | 10 | |
3 | Wei Yi | 2694 | 0+1 | 1+1 | xxx | 1 | 1 | 1+3 | 9 | 33.5 |
4 | Wesley So | 2775 | 0 | 1+1 | 1 | xxx | 1+1 | 1+3 | 9 | 30.5 |
5 | Sergey Karjakin | 2779 | 0+1 | 1 | 1 | 1+1 | xxx | 1+1 | 7 | |
6 | Anish Giri | 2790 | 1 | 1 | 1+0 | 1+0 | 1+1 | xxx | 6 |
Replay the Bilbao Masters Final 2016 all games.
Photo credit: Bilbao Chess.
Jerry Abelita Gilbuena
Finally
Mychal Badi
very analytical, very Wesley So!
Ronan Advincula Oronos
Kung dito ka lng sa pinas di mo aabutin ang ganyan..naintindihan ka nmin mga chess player kung bakit US flag mo 😀
Nicaso Amarila
congratz wesley 4 being one of a super GM in the world.
Maki D. Gored
Buti nlng nanalo para may chance pa maging 2nd
Jed Fabillar Abudanza
Ang ganda ng pagkapanalo ni wesley ..brilliance..
Katalbas Ryan
Zarc-Yohan Salas
Felipe Nieves
Congrats Wesley So
Jhune Solatorio
iwan ko ba kung bakit talagang mahihirapan na manalo si Anish ky Wesley So… GO GO GO IDOL Wesley So…
Nhoy Salonga
Wow,another good result for gm wes,congratz kabayan.