So now a U.S. citizen

Philippine-born Grandmaster Wesley So has been granted United States citizenship.

So, who currently resides in Excelsior, Minnesota, received his papers on 26 February at the US Citizenship and Immigration Services offices in St. Paul, Minneapolis.

The three-time national chess champion left the country in 2012 as a freshman recruit for Webster University.

So, ranked among the Top 10 in the world, is current World Fischer Random champion, two-time US champion and a member of the 2016 Team USA squad that won its first Olympic gold medal since 1976.

Interviewed by Debbie Cannon of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, So said he came to the US “because this is the land of opportunity.”

He said anyone could strive to succeed.

“You are not held back by your color, lack of connections or the amount of money you have,” he said.

“If you work hard, you have a better chance of making it here than anywhere else in the world.”

So, however, pointed out that he doesn’t love the Philippines. “I have good memories from there. But I did not have the connections needed to succeed in that culture. I was from the province, not a city boy. Had no money, etc.”

So said he wanted to become a US citizen because the country has been good to him.

“I want to give back to a country that has been good to me,” he said. “I am now part of the American Dream. I am part of the most successful country on earth, ready to make my own contribution and have my own legacy here.”