Wesley So places 2nd to Caruana, bags P2.8 million

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Filipino-born Wesley So scores a runner-up finish in the tournament featuring American Super Grandmasters, even winning the Best Game prize

MANILA, Philippines – Wesley So placed second to Fabiano Caruana in the just-concluded 2025 Champions Showdown: The Kings at the Saint Louis Chess Club in St. Louis, Missouri, United States, to boost his coffers.

The Bacoor, Cavite-born So, beat Leinier Dominguez in the rapid section, while Caruana bested Ray Robson in the rapid and semi-classical sections on Thursday, March 6 (Friday, March 7 in Manila) in the $250,000 special event confined to six American Super Grandmasters.

So, who trounced Levon Aronian in blitz and semi-classical in the tournament opener on Wednesday, bagged a total of $48,275 (P2.769 million), including $2,500 for the Best Game in his Italian (Giuoco Piano chess opening) victory over Aronian.

Caruana, a four-time US champion who subdued So in rapid on Thursday, won $51,625.

Despite losing to So, a three-time US champion, Aronian, a former world blitz and rapid champion, bounced back to place third, pulling down five-time US champion Hikaru Nakamura to fourth place.

Robson wound up fifth, relegating Dominguez, a former world blitz champion, to the sixth and last spot.

So, bent on redeeming himself from a forgettable 2024 season, signed up with Ukrainian organization Natus Vincere on February 15 for professional esports competitions.

Next up for So is the American Cup 2025 set March 15-24 also in St. Louis. – Rappler.com