GRANDMASTER Wesley So came up with the big victories when presented with the opportunity after an unremarkable start, winning a three-man playoff to retain the title in the US Chess Championship in St. Louis.
The Philippine-born So secured the crown by winning both of his 10-minute rapid tiebreak matches after ending up in a tie for first with fellow American GMs Fabiano Caruana and Sam Sevian.
The 28-year-old So bagged US$50,000 (around P2.5 million), a huge finish after a somewhat mediocre early run.
Wesley So bags his third US Chess championship crown in five years.
Held to draws in nine matches and getting two wins, So went on to claim the tournament title for the third time, his first coming in 2017, also in a playoff.
Caruana, Sevian and So all had 6.5 points after 11 rounds, necessitating rapid playoff matches.
The 20-year-old Sevian and Caruana, 29, each bagged $30,000.
Players were back to compete in St. Louis using actual boards and pieces after the 2020 online version of the tournament.
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