Wesley So, Oliver Barbosa aim to rebound in World Blitz event as No. 1 Carlsen returns
MANILA, Philippines – Wesley So is trying to greet the New Year with a bang when he competes in the blitz section of the 2024 World Rapid & Blitz Championships starting on Monday, December 30 (Tuesday, December 31, Manila time) on Wall Street in New York City.
The 13-round Swiss event was boosted by the return of world No. 1 and defending champion Magnus Carlsen, who got disqualified after Round 8 of the rapid section for wearing jeans in violation of the FIDE tournament dress code.
The Filipino-born So faltered in the rapid tournament of the $1.43-million event, placing 61st among 182 bets and out of the money race.
New York-based Filipino grandmaster Oliver Barbosa fared worse, placing 121st.
So is seeded fourth in the blitz event, trailing Carlsen, Alireza Firouzja, and Hikaru Nakamura, in that order, among 184 entries.
Barbosa, a former World Cupper and Chess Olympian, also hopes to do better in the 3-minute, 2-second increment format, where he is ranked 55th.
After the 13-round Swiss, the top eight will advance to the knockout stage. The champion gets $90,000, the second $70,000, and the third and fourth $42,000 each. The four other qualifiers pocket $20,000 each. – Rappler.com