The game hits the big time
Recently in Las Vegas, for the first time ever, a Chess Tournament Open to All was held with a million-dollar guaranteed prize fund. In addition, the money was distributed to the outstanding players in each of six rating sections, from amateur to professional. The overall first-place Grandmaster winner enjoyed a $100,000 payday. The winner of the lowest section, Class D, went home with $24,000. As was anticipated, the large prizes enticed a large number of competitors, well over 500, to participate despite a rather hefty individual entry fee of $1,000.
The competition was held in the Planet Hollywood Resort and Hotel where Pop diva Britney Spears’ headlines her “Piece of Me” show and one step outside accesses the famous shops of Miracle Mile.
GM Wesley So of the Philippines celebrated his 21st birthday at the event by taking down the 100K first prize. In 13 rounds of play, the champion did not lose a game. Adding to So’s dream experience is the increase of his rating. It elevated his name into the World’s Top 10 on the Live Chess Ratings list. His reputation began to grow quickly some years ago, though. He won the Under-12 Division of the World Youth Championship. At 14, he was already a GM, ninth youngest ever. Two years ago, at 19, he won our National Open.
In the final match, So faced off against 19-year-old GM Ray Robson of Florida, a former U.S. Junior Champion. Since the difference between first and second prize was $50,000, the decisive game was tense. So gained a more invasive position and abruptly cashed in by alert tactical play: [So, Wesley-Robson, Ray] 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.g3 c6 4.Bg2 d5 5.cxd5 cxd5 6.Nf3 Bg7 7.Nc3 Ne4 8.Qa4+ Nc6 9.Ne5 Nxc3 10.bxc3 Bd7 11.Nxd7 Qxd7 12.Rb1 b6 13.Rxb6 Rc8 14.Rb1 0–0 15.0–0 Rfd8 16.Rd1 Qc7 17.Rb5 e6 18.Bg5 Ne7 19.Rdb1 f6 20.Bd2 Qd7 21.Qa6 Rc6 22.Qa5 Qd6 23.Bf4 e5 24.dxe5 fxe5 25.Bg5 e4 26.Rb7 Ra6 27.Qb4 Nc6 28.Rxg7+! 1–0. Capturing the Rook would allow 29.Qb7+ winning back the material and staying a piece ahead.
Also look at this column’s featured game in which he had to overcome former U.S. co-Champion GM Alexander Ivanov. The battle wore on through all phases into an ending when So played an adventurous move, 52.f4! Ivanov’s answer was wrong as his foe soon showed. Vital kudos
The whole idea of bringing big money into chess at a highly attractive venue must go to two outstanding chess promoters: GM Maurice Ashley and Amy Lee. They created the business “Millionaire Chess” and followed through, putting their reputations, time, and money on the line. Ashley has devoted himself to promoting and instructing chess, even working with Harvard and MIT. Lee, a self-made millionaire, is an avid entrepreneur described as “passionate about tackling new challenges.” A friend of Ashley, it was natural for her to link up with him in this venture.
Game of the week Ivanov, Alexander-So, Wesley Millionaire Chess Open Las Vegas
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ Nd7 4.d4 cxd4 5.Qxd4 a6 6.Bxd7+ Bxd7 7.0–0 Rc8 8.c4 e5 9.Qd3 b5 10.Na3 Qb6 11.Be3 Qb7 12.Nd2 Be7 13.Rac1 Nf6 14.Bg5 Nh5 15.Bxe7 Kxe7 16.g3 Nf6 17.Rfe1 Rhd8 18.f3 Rc6 19.b3 Qb6+ 20.Kg2 Qa5 21.Nc2 Be6 22.a3 Rdc8 23.Red1 Ne8 24.Nb4 R6c7 25.Qc3 Kf8 26.Nd5 Qxc3 27.Rxc3 Bxd5 28.exd5 f5 29.Rcc1 Nf6 30.Ra1 Ke7 31.a4 bxc4 32.bxc4 Rb8 33.Rab1 Rcb7 34.Rxb7+ Rxb7 35.Rb1 Rxb1 36.Nxb1 g5 37.Nd2 g4 38.h3 gxf3+ 39.Kxf3 h5 40.a5 Nh7 41.Ke3 Nf6 42.Kf3 Kf7 43.Ke3 Kg6 44.Kf3 Nd7 45.Nb3 Kg5 46.h4+ Kf6 47.Ke3 Ke7 48.Kf3 Nf6 49.Nd2 Kf7 50.Ke3 Kg6 51.Kf3 Nd7 52.Nb3 f4 53.gxf4 Kf5 54.fxe5 Nxe5+ 55.Kg3 Nxc4 56.Nd4+ Ke4 57.Ne6 Nxa5 58.Nc7 Nc4 59.Nxa6 Ne3 60.Nc7 Nxd5 61.Ne6 Ne7 62.Kf2 Nf5 63.Ng5+ Kf4 64.Nf7 0–1