Grandmaster Wesley So will be one among the 10 main participants in the Grand Chess Tour, an over-the-board tournament unfolding with the Superbet Chess Classic set June 13 to 15 in Bucharest, Romania.
The 28-year-old world Fischer Random champion and two-time United States titlist was chosen from the field for the annual, multi-stage event boasting of a total cash pot worth US$1.275 million (P63.75 million).
Also joining are World No. 2 Fabiano Caruana also of the United States and No. 3 Ding Liren of China, Ian Nepomniachtchi of Russia, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave of France, Levon Aronian of Armenia, Alexander Grischuk of Russia and Anish Giri of the Netherlands.
World champion Magnus Carlsen and American Hikaru Nakamura begged off as main participants but will only play as wild cards.
Taking the spots of Carlsen and Nakamura were Shakhriyar Mamedyarov and Teimour Radjabov of Azerbaijan.
Other GCT legs are the Paris Rapid and Blitz slated June 16-23 in France, Croatia Rapid and Blitz set July 5-12 in Zagrev, Saint Louis Rapid and Blitz scheduled Aug. 9-16 in Missouri, US and Sinquefield Cup dated Aug. 16-28 in St. Louis.