Wesley So previously cited corruption, lack of support in Philippine chess

ASM, Philippine Canadian Inquirer
September 21, 2026

Photo courtesy: International Chess Federation

Filipino-born chess grandmaster Wesley So previously pointed to corruption, limited high-level training, and inconsistent support as problems he encountered while pursuing an elite chess career in the Philippines.

In a 2019 interview with Chess.com, So discussed the challenges he experienced as a young chess player and criticized the system available to athletes seeking support to compete internationally.

“The major problem is corruption. It’s hard for athletes to get financial assistance to compete abroad, especially if they don’t have connections,” So said.

In the same interview, So said the Philippines had a basic chess structure but lacked sufficient support to develop promising players into international-level competitors. He also said there was “no long-term strategy for development in the Philippines.”

His concerns about the development of Philippine chess predated his federation transfer.

In a June 2014 interview with Chessdom, So said he wanted opportunities to compete in more high-level tournaments and receive the serious training he believed was necessary to continue improving.

So said there was no serious training system in the Philippines at the time and that Filipino players needed stronger competitions, proper training, and consistent support from the National Chess Federation of the Philippines. He also called for a high-level training system to help talented young players develop.

So also made clear that his decision to change federations was tied to his goal of advancing his chess career. In a 2014 letter published by Chessdom, he said living and studying in the United States gave him opportunities to improve his chess, compete in top-level tournaments and pursue his goal of becoming one of the world’s leading players.

FIDE records show that So officially transferred from the Philippine federation to the United States on October 29, 2014.

His career later reached a new high while representing the United States. On the March 2017 FIDE rating list, So was ranked No. 2 in the world with a peak Elo rating of 2822.

Despite changing federations, So had also spoken publicly about maintaining his connection to the Philippines.

“I am a proud Filipino, always will be a Filipino at heart, and never forget where I came from,” So told Chessdom in 2014.