So draws, ties for 4th

February 1, 2010, 5:58pm

WIJK AAN ZEE, Netherlands — Grandmaster Wesley So settled for another draw with lone female participant IM Anna Muzychuk of Slovenia in the 13th and final round to finish in a tie for fourth to fifth places with GM Erwin l’Ami of the Netherlands at the close of the 72nd Corus chess tournament at the De Moriaan Community Centre here Sunday.

The 16-year-old Filipino champion drew with the lower-rated but upset-conscious Muzychuk by repetition of moves in 38 moves of the Capablanca variation of the Nimzo-Indian defense.

Although he had a three-pawn advantage over Muzychuk in a double-edged queen and rook ending, So was forced to accept a draw with the white pieces since the Ukraine-born Slovenian had a strong counterplay with his queen and two connected rooks.

Overall, So finished with a 13-round total of 7.5 points on three wins, nine draws and only one loss.