GM Wesley So vs GM John Paul Gomez Rapid Match

Let me bring you right at the heart of the actions of the historic GM Wesley So vs GM John Paul Gomez Rapid Match that took place last September 5, 2010 at Robinsons Manila.

The stage for the battle is set. If you're the showbiz type, the technique used for the stage set-up is called the 'major-major' design (the grand bulletin board on the stage is accentuated by another grand tarpaulin at the second floor. If you're really the serious chess type, this technique of event promotion is called the 'battery' tactic (if you know what I mean, then you're the serious type).

These two laptops were used for the rapid match. Yes, no chessboard was used for this featured event. The desktop (rightmost) which is best known for its name "Iron Chef" served as the console for analyzing and projecting the games to the audience. By the way, did you know that GM Wesley So has no chess coach, and that it is only "Iron Chef" that served as his chess buddy to make him beat the likes of GM Gata Kamsky and GM Vassily Ivanchuk? And yes, did you know that Iron Chef was a fruit of a bayanihan spirit among Wesley's supporters?

During the match, Wesley and JP made their moves using their respective laptops. The moves were sent to Iron Chef which then transmited the moves to this electronic monitor. At the background is Capt. Norlito Sepulvida (aka Sugardom), the main man behind this great project.


If electronic projection wasn't appealing enough to you, then the 'manu-mano' version was available to serve you. Just take your pick.

The match was about to begin. Spawn2 started to introduce the key personalities of the event.


If you failed to see the 'artistahin' look of Spawn2 in the previous photo, loot at him again.


These are the key personalities Spawn2 were talking about (from left: NCFP Pres. Prospero Pichay, Mr. Reginald Tee, GM Wesley So, NM Glenn Bordonada, and GM John Paul Gomez.

I said key personalities, right? So include Sugardom, and Mr. William So, the father of Wesley.

Hey, Sir Reggie. It's a chess match, not a boxing match!! Hehe

The ceremonial moves. Perhaps, it's Pichay's first time to make a ceremonial move this way. They all looked so happy, didn't they?


And the games started . . .


Batongol (in black with white stripes) and Wordfunph (partly hidden, in orange) religiously following the games move by move . . . why?

To perform their heroic role in bringing the action to the audience . . . bravo!

And just look at their audience!! But wait, Wordfun isn't smiling here (what do you think is the reason?)

Perphaps, Wordfun wanted to watch the actions as enjoyable and comfortable as this audience did.

The match used a three 25-minute games format. GM Wesley eventually won the match with a 2.5-0.5 score. Here's one of the three matches: REQUIRES JAVA TO VIEW THE GAME