PH Consulate General in Chicago Receives Elite Chess Grandmaster

(seated, from left) Philippine Consulate General in Chicago Deputy Consul General Romulo Victor M. Israel, Jr., chess Grandmaster Wesley Barbasa So, Lotis Key-Cabigting, (standing, from left) Ragan Maning, Fritz John De Jesus, Alvar Rosales, Ceasar Balarbar, Cornelio Santiago, Wenilyn Capote, Radegunda Dela Cruz and Jose Erandio. (Noly Dulay photo)

CHICAGO 07 August 2019 — Philippine Consulate General in Chicago Deputy Consul General Romulo Victor M. Israel, Jr. received chess Grandmaster Wesley Barbasa So for a courtesy call at the Consulate General on 23 July 2019.

Mr. So is a chess prodigy who earned the 2008 Grandmaster title at the age of 14, then regarded as the youngest Grandmaster in the world at that time. Currently, he also holds the distinction of being the Philippines’ youngest International Master, Grandmaster and national champion.

A native of Bacoor in Cavite, Mr. So was only six when he started playing chess in his neighborhood. Since moving to the United States to play for the U.S. Chess Federation, he has reached a peak of being the second-highest ranked player in the world in 2017. The chess Grandmaster is currently the sixth highest-ranked rapid chess player in the world, according to the World Chess Federation.

Mr. So now lives in Minnesota with his adoptive parents Renato “Bambi” Kabigting and former actress, Lotis Key.  As Mr. So’s manager, Ms. Key proudly explained that as a way of giving back to his homeland, the chess Grandmaster has made arrangements for ChessKid.com, a learning platform designed for kids, available for Filipino children at the lowest possible cost of US$5 per year for gold membership. END

For more information, visit https://www.chicagopcg.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.chicagopcg.com, or https://www.facebook.com/PHinChicago/.