Wesley So chooses the Olympics over the Global Chess League

Chess prodigy Wesley So prefers the Olympics to the Global Chess League, citing a desire to fully devote himself to team events. (photo/ Agency) OSLO: Wesley So has his heart in the right place. Partly because he is being raised by Lotis Key, his adoptive mother. The elite GM chose the Olympics over the FIDE-sanctioned Global Chess League (GCL) franchise in its September calendar. He began representing his adopted country the USA in 2014 and helped them win team gold in 2016.He previously played in the Olympics for the Philippines, the country of his birth, from 2006 to 2012. “The GCL ends on September 13 and the Olympics starts on September 15. If I play in both, I might not be able to accommodate both events,” Wesley told TOI. “I like to play team events. Wesley said he hopes his compatriot world No. 2 Hikaru Nakamura would also decide to play in the Olympics. “But he will most likely play in the GCL.The 32-year-old world No 9 (Elo 2753) led the tournament on Sunday with 11.5 points after six of 10 rounds, his last win coming over India’s R Praggnanandhaa (6).Wesley himself was on cloud nine after beating the Norwegian world number one in the fifth round.After his relationship with his biological parents broke down, Lotis Key provided Wesley with a shelter, a home, and a love that strengthened his wings. And soon, thanks to his game, he joined the elite chess circle.