Wesley So scored 5.5 points in the first part of the two-day blitz Sunday to stay second and in striking distance with pacesetter Magnus Carlsen in the Grand Chess Tour’s Super United Rapid and Blitz in Zagreb, Croatia.
The Cavite-born American has a current total of 16.5 points, which was good for solo second place and just 1.5 points behind Carlsen—the reigning world champion—with 18 points.
What was special about it though was So’s one of three wins that day came at the expense of Carlsen himself in blitz’ third-round masterpiece.
The world Fischer-Random king also won against Shakhriyar Mamedyarov of Azerbaijan and Ivan Saric of Croatia while coming through with five draws.
His lone loss in blitz came from Dutch Jorden Van Foreest.
“Overall, I had a pretty solid day, didn’t have problems with my opening,” said So.
So will have a chance to catch up on Carlsen as they play nine more blitz games in the final day Monday in this five-day tournament staking a total cash pot worth $175,000 to with the winner snaring the lion share of $40,000.