yes bro-Mod Chups, aanga-anga!!!

Wesley So, seeded 59th would have the better psychological stance against the 22nd seeded Malakhov even though he has a higher rating of 2706 vs Wesley's 2640 at the beginning of the tournament. This is borne from Wesley's impressive trouncing of Ivanchuk and Kamsky who are heavyweights, because of the formers ELO rating of 2739, and the latter's previous accomplishments being the winner of the same tournament for 2007.

Both Wesley and Malakhov are aggressive players and has very little difference in their speed at Blitz/Rapid games. Both had defeated Ivanchuk, Malakhov having this honor in 2002 at the world chess championship. Being older Malakhov at 30 yrs old (Wesley has just turned 16), has a wider repertoire of attacks and defenses. Based on his past games he seems to be weak in the "kings Indian defense", "Benoni", and "Sicilian". Malakhov seems to be good in the French Defense in which Wesley is also fond of playing. Wesley defeated Ivanchuk and Kamsky in their matches in this tournament using the french defense playing black. It might be that their games would be a battle of the French Defense. The French is a moderate Hypermodern Defense allowing white to momentarily seize the center and then black probably in the 5th move onwards start to recover by attacking the occupied positions of white. In this tournament Wesley has won playing the Classical and another variation of the French Defense winning them both.

Wesley since he had an outright win in the 3rd round with Kamsky having a win and a draw for the two classical games of the round had the luxury of probably scouting Malakhov and reviewing his strengths and weaknesses. He probably had spent his time on this, aside from resting, while Malakhov who had an even score in his 3rd round match had to go through a few rigorous tie-break games of the rapid and blitz type. Rapid games refer to a tie break game of 25 mins plus a few seconds for every move. Blitz is a 5 min game with a 3 second addition for every move. Malakhov had already played 6 tie break games through round 3 while Wesley had only played 3 rapid, tie-breakers. Wesley, sweeped all his tie-breakers with wins and no draws.

In summary the match between these two players would boil down to experience vs youth. My take is that Wesley has the advantage on Rapid/Blitz games if it comes to tie breaks. Wesley had the advantage of scouting Malakhov. Wesley had the advantage of a rest before their game. The pinoy has the psychological advantage. They both like the French Defense but i would give Wesley the slight advantage. They both defeated Ivanchuk. Malakhov is the more seasoned player considering his age and experience. Bottom line my pick would be Wesley.

Whatever happens it is already a great achievement and honor for our young knight to represent not just Philippines but the ASIAN nations. He is the only remaining asian dragon who still fighting to prove that asians are not just physically strong but also mentally tough!!!

silly way of throwing the towel. I think they knew they can't win so they purposely lost by time forfeiture. who in the right mind would do that if they were ahead? also very uncharacteristics for chinese to be that undiciplined. hmmmmm.....

Mayorga-style excuses???

SEE YOU ALL AT, http://livechess.chessdom.com/site/, TONIGHT, Paclander Unite. lets kill Barbara

good luck Wesley, we are praying for your victory...

What a stup!d way to lose...

Good Luck Wesley...

Go Wesley! carry the Philippine flag up high!

Good luck again So! It's a pity I won't be able to follow on your match again.

Private sector more. He can don a uniform during tournaments with patches from different sponsors, even though he will look like a NASCAR driver. But the the boxing shorts that Pacquiao use during actual fights have them sponsor patches.

What the heck . . . they'll be compelled to do forced/hard labor.

Nice idea sir,, how about seeing him wearing a necktie printed with a product logo while crushing all his Super GM opponents.. for example: RICOAH or MOTOLITE like pacman... HAHAHA...