Talk of the Universe Ganguly in conversation with Wesley So

Talk of the Universe: Ganguly in conversation with Wesley So

Shahid AhmedAugust 5, 20202 min read

Wesley So is the reigning and first official Fischer Random World Champion. He is the current World no.8 and a former World no.2. A little over two months ago, So won Clutch Chess Champions Showdown. So has been to Kolkata, India for the past two consecutive years. In his first visit to Kolkata, So met Surya Sekhar Ganguly who played a small prank on him. We all know Wesley So hails originally from Philippines and few years back he moved to USA where he shined the most. However a lot of things are unbeknownst to us, like what are his hobbies, why he stays away from social media, what are his thoughts and much more. Find out many more things about the reigning Fischer Random World Champion Wesley So. Photo: Surya's youtube channel.

First Official Fischer Random World Champion - Wesley So

Wesley So is the reigning first official Fischer Random World Champion. He has also been World no.2. For the last two years he was in Kolkata, India to play in the Tata Steel Chess India Rapid and Blitz, the last year's edition was part of Grand Chess Tour too. We all know that Wesley is a very nice and humble person, but how did his journey begin in Philippines? What are his hobbies, how is he spending his current pandemic situation, how it was to transition from Philippines to USA federation and much more we get to know.

Wesley So became first official Fischer Random World Champion in 2019 | Photo: Maria Emelianova/FRChess

Wesley has defeated five World Champions | Photo: Surya's stream

So got pranked in 2018 when he visited Gariahat Chess Club and played against GM Diptayan Ghosh

So's adopted mother Lotis Key plays a very important role

Wesley loves various animals

Wesley's pet 18.5 years old 'Zanzibar' made a cameo

The lighter side of the World Champion

Sensational So

Here are the positions which were discussed in Episode 13

So - Wojtaszek, Wijk aan Zee 2017

White to play

So - Carlsen, Stavanger 2018

White to play

So - Sasikiran, New Delhi 2011

White to play

Anand - So, London 2017

White to play

Thien Hai - So, Ho Chi Minh City 2012

White to play

Ivanchuk - So, Wijk aan Zee 2015

Black to play

So - Karjakin, Riga 2019

White to play

So - Dziuba, Reykjavik 2013

Black to play

So - Sadzikowski, Gibraltar 2019

White to play

Replay the games

Episode 13

In Conversation with - Episode 13: So Wesley - 'The humble genius' | Video: Surya Sekhar Ganguly

So answers

In the second part, So answered a lot of questions asked by the audience. So talked about visiting places in India with his mother Lotis, appreciated Indian people and their warm hospitality, street food, keeping himself healthy during tournaments, advantages of being away from social media and much more.

"He does not have a trainer, coach or anything like that" - Lotis Key on Wesley So

Lotis Key answered audience questions along with Wesley So | Photo: Surya's stream

So - Kamsky, Saint Louis 2016

White to play

So - Navara, Wijk aan Zee 2011

White to play

So - Daniel Bogdan, Gibraltar 2019

White to play

So - Aronian, Wijk aan Zee 2015

White to play

So - Kramnik, Shamkir 2017

Black to play

So - Topalov, Saint Louis 2016

White to play

Replay the games

Episode 14

In Conversation with Episode 14: Wesley So - 'Ask Wesley' | Video: Surya Sekhar Ganguly

Links

Surya Sekhar Ganguly's youtube channel

Talk of the Universe: Ganguly in conversation with Wesley So