Filipino-American chess whiz Wesley So toppled on Saturday chess world champion Magnus Carlsen to snag the first World Fischer Random Chess Championship.
So, who previously played for the Philippines before moving to the US in 2014, beat Carlsen 13.5-2.5 in the final match of the three-day series.
Unlike standard chess, Fischer Random games start with the pieces jumbled, forcing players to drop strategies based on standard chess openings.
“”I’m very happy! It’s my favorite type of chess, and it hasn’t been popular until the last couple of years,” So said. “I usually win tournaments the first time and never again.”
So said Carlsen would have easily beat him in standard chess.
“I’m very happy to be the world champion but it doesn’t change much. I think he was shaken in our game 2, and wasn’t able to bounce back, but he congratulated me right after the match, he is a great sportsman,” So said.
