GM Wesley So skips World Junior Chess Championships

After the long wait and suspense, the camp of GM Wesley So - the best Filipino chess player the Philippines has ever produced so far - finally announced that Wesley will skip the Word Junior Chess Championships that is scheduled to take place from October 21 to November in Argentina.

Reason? "Wesley is busy with his studies. He must graduate this year. This is a sacrifice for a better future," kibitzed Mrs. Leny So, the very supportive mother of Wesley, over the Barangay Wesley page at chessgames.com.

Mother knows best, of course.

Life is not all chess in the first place.

Don't get me wrong, though. For GM Wesley to concentrate on chess is good enough. Chess belongs to him as exactly as he belongs to chess. Wesley is chess as chess is Wesley.

But for him to widen his horizon in knowing and living other aspects of life other than chess will surely make him more confident and complete.

Although Wesley fans are demanding (haha) for Wesley's performance in chess, they are understanding and caring as well. So even if they don't see Wesley play in WJCC 2009, they will surely be comforted by knowing that their Philippine chess hero excels too in school.

Prediction: GM Wesley So to graduate this year with all his fans beaming with pride and happiness at the graduation ceremony hall.

See you there!!