Wesley So

Wesley So is a grandmaster who lives in and plays for the USA. He was born in the City of Bacoor, Philippines on October 9th 1993, and was only six, when he learned how to move the pieces. After memorising them, chess set in hand, he explored the streets of his neighbourhood daring people to play with him. At nine years old, he began to compete in local, junior chess tournaments.
In 2006, at the age of twelve years and ten months, Wesley So became the youngest ever Filipino International Master and the youngest member of the national men’s team to participate at the 37th Chess Olympiad in Turin, Italy. At the age of fourteen years, one month and twenty eight days, FIDE awarded him the title of Grandmaster, making him the ninth youngest chess grandmaster in history.
In the years to come Wesley So became a rose up the world ranks, winning many tournaments along the way. After launching his career as a full-time professional in 2014, he vaulted in the Top Ten with a peak rating of 2822 ELO in early 2017. He's switched federations to the USA in 2014 and represented the country at the 2016 Chess Olympiad in Baku, winning individual Gold on board three and team Gold for the first time since 1976.