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Source: Marlon Bernardino, ABS-CBN News

-- Filipino Grandmaster (GM) Wesley So still went home a winner even if he settled for 11th place in the Aeroflot Chess Festival 2010 in Moscow, Russia.

The Bacoor, Cavite native successfully defended his junior title as he finished with 5.5 points on 3 wins, 5 draws and 1 loss in 9 outings.

So, 16, bested GM Sanan Sjugirov of Russia and GM Eltaj Safarli of Azerbaijan, who both tallied with 4.5 points. GM Saleh Salem of the United Arab Emirates, meantime, had 3 points.

He took home 2,500 euros for winning the top junior award again.

The chess whiz kid drew his 9th-round and final match against Venezuela’s GM Eduardo Iturrizaga (Elo 2616) in just 10 pushes of the Slav defense Queen’s Gambit Accepted transposition with the black pieces on Wednesday.

The country's highest-rated player (ELO 2656) finished in a tie for 7th to 19th places with 5.5 points. After the tie break point was applied, the 2009 Corus C champion was named the overall 11th placer.

So’s 2010 Aeroflot performance gained praises from Philippine chess officials.

“Wesley is a sensation and have made us Filipinos proud again,” said National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) President/Chairman Prospero “Butch” Pichay, Jr.

Wilfredo “Willie” Abalos, NCFP executive director and event manager, added: “He is an inspiration to Filipinos.”

Meanwhile, Vietnamese GM Le Quang Liem (ELO 2647) beat Russian GM Ian Nepomniattchi (ELO 2658) after 60 moves of English Opening using the advantageous white pieces to end on top with 7 points. He received the champion’s purse worth 21,000 euros.

GM Anton Korobov (ELO 2648) of Ukraine overcame GM Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son (ELO 2616) of Vietnam after 36 moves of Gruenfeld defense. The Ukrainian came in 2nd place and was awarded 12,000 euros.