GM Wesley So tops Corus Group C

Congratulations to GM Wesley So for capturing the Corus Group C championship title!

But as I said in my old post, it's not enough for Wesley to win his games and the title in Corus. He must perform with an impressive style for him to position himself well in the perception of global chess audience.

And he did!

In this grand tournament, he showed his uncompromising will to win. His first round game against GM Friso Nijboer (2560) of the Netherlands loudly announced what he is made of as well as what he is capable of doing.

The very first round carved a strong statement that he meant business.

That instinct to kill. That instinct to win. That superb talent over the board.

The audience craves for war. He gave it.

The audience craves for blood. He gave it.

The audience craves for wizardry. He gave it.

Wesley satisfies the audience. He inspires them, makes them wonder, and happy -- the charaterictics that makes a great sports hero.

His performance in Corus perfectly defined how to hone a new sports hero.

Winning is not enough. It is more of the perception that counts. It's not only the 1-0, or the 0-1 that we read on the papers. It's the symbol (!!) after the moves that matters a lot.

Tiger Woods? It's not his scores; it's more of how he sinks that ball from a bunker. It's how he pumps his fists after a terrific shot.

Michael Jordan? It's not only the 2 points or the 3 points that he makes after a shot. It's more of how Jordan flies. It's more of how Jordan throws out his tounge when going for a graceful drive.

Manny Pacquiao? It's not the number of his wins and knockouts. It's more of how he delivers his powerful shots. It's more of how he continues to fight even when bloodied.

GM Wesley So? This is something yet to be seen -- although we already saw some of it. The good thing is that, he seems to be right on course.

Wesley seems to be walking on the path that great sports heroes have taken.

Good luck, Wesley! May you not get astray in the road to greatness that lies ahead.