Wesley So yielded to fellow American Hikaru Nakamura in the rapid playoffs to settle for the runner-up honors in the 2023 American Cup crown at the Saint Louis Chess Club in Missouri recently.
The Cavite-born So tried to outplay Hikamura until he blundered in the middlegame where he got his queen trapped with no way out.
The reigning World Fischer Random Chess champion Hikamura seized the opportunity, allowing him to capture the game and the title.
*A huge middlegame blunder from Wesley So allowed Hikaru Nakamura to win the game and the title. (Photo from USChessChamps.com)*
Despite the defeat, So went home with the $35,000 consolation prize (around P1.9 million) while Nakamura pocketed the $60,000 top purse (around P3.2 million). So, who earlier lost to Nakamura in the winner’s bracket of the double-round elimination, first routed Levon Aronian to advance to the final round. Aronian finished third, while Leinier Domiguez came in fourth. Tied at fifth were Fabiano Caruana and Sam Shankland, while Ray Robson and Sam Sevian finished at joint seventh.
*A huge middlegame blunder from Wesley So allowed Hikaru Nakamura to win the game and the title. (Photo from USChessChamps.com)*
Despite the defeat, So went home with the $35,000 consolation prize (around P1.9 million) while Nakamura pocketed the $60,000 top purse (around P3.2 million). So, who earlier lost to Nakamura in the winner’s bracket of the double-round elimination, first routed Levon Aronian to advance to the final round. Aronian finished third, while Leinier Domiguez came in fourth. Tied at fifth were Fabiano Caruana and Sam Shankland, while Ray Robson and Sam Sevian finished at joint seventh.