Wesley So Becomes First-Ever Chess.com Global Champion

GM Wesley So triumphed at the inaugural Chess.com Global Championship, defeating GM Nihal Sarin in the final with two games to spare. Unfazed by a couple of recent performances, So showed us what it means to be a grandmaster of his caliber, coming back to reach one of the top achievements of his career. Amazingly, So seemed to get stronger with each of his matches―despite the top-notch competition―clinching the championship with one of his best games of the event. 

Perhaps to help switch up his approach, Nihal chose a new way to warm up for his games today: table tennis. 

Today it was time to change up the prep for @NihalSarin #Chesscomglobal pic.twitter.com/bnk231dJhu

— Mike Klein (@ChessMike) November 7, 2022

The fast-paced nature of ping-pong seems optimal for a player to clear their head before embarking on an activity as thought-intensive as chess. Indeed, there was new life in Nihal's play today, especially in the first duel of the day. In game five, he revisited the dynamic and unorthodox Modern Defense to gain winning chances with the black pieces.

Contrastingly, So chose a very different approach―even more chess in online blitz―to warm up for today's games. This seemed to contribute to his sharp form, especially by the last game of the day. 

"I did some warmup blitz today on https://t.co/eRo9eg2Fr3. I also lost my first couple of games. Maybe the warmup helped!"

- Wesley So, the 2022 #ChesscomGlobal Champion. pic.twitter.com/4FFSGjqMWT

— ChesscomLive (@ChesscomLive) November 7, 2022

Game six was a spectacular expression of So's precise and resourceful defensive abilities, often using the king itself to fend off Nihal's attack. This championship-clinching battle is our Game of the Day, annotated by GM Rafael Leitao.

So takes home the $200,000 grand prize―the largest ever prize of his career―along with the dazzling championship trophy. 

In the post-match interview, So shared his favorite moment and biggest takeaway from the event: "Winning this one certainly. Just keep trying. I just finished a tournament. Reykjavik didn't go well. I finished in sixth place. So it's nice to win from time to time."

Thanks to everyone who watched the https://t.co/EufIHvdgvi Global Championship!

This was by far the biggest production we've ever put on, and we especially want to thank our premium members who make amazing chess events like this possible! pic.twitter.com/8eiFMEyqb3

— Chess.com (@chesscom) November 7, 2022

All Games - Final Day 2

Final Scoreboard

Final Bracket

Prize Pool Standings

The 2022 Chess.com Global Championship (CGC) is the first Chess.com global championship cycle open to all Chess.com verified players. Players compete in official Chess.com verified events for their share of the $1,100,000 prize fund and the Chess.com Global Champion title.

Chess legends, such as GMs Viswanathan Anand, Vasyl Ivanchuk, Vladimir Kramnik, and Veselin Topalov, compete against today's best (online) players, including GMs Hikaru Nakamura, Ding Liren, Levon Aronian, and Jan-Krzysztof Duda, and more. 

Previous coverage

• • • • Adventurous So Goes Undefeated, Leads 3-1
      • Nihal Shocks Giri in Armageddon, So Knocks Out Nakamura
      • Giri, So Miss Chances In Chaotic Semifinals
      • Stunning Comebacks and Decisive Matches: Nakamura, So, Nihal, Giri Victorious
      • Perfect 4-0 Day For Nakamura, Dismantles Bongcloud In CGC Finals
      • How To Watch The Chess.com Global Championship Finals
      • Underdogs Eliminate World Championship Challengers From CGC In Day Of Upsets
      • Giri, Duda Shut Down Dark Horses, Earn Seats In Toronto Finals
      • Nakamura Neutralizes Dominguez, Andreikin Upsets Caruana
      • So Edges Out Xiong, Aronian Knocks Out Sevian
      • Experience Bests Youth: Radjabov Knocks Out Erigaisi
      • Sarana 'Immortal' Upsets Mamedyarov; Duda, Xiong Cruise Through
      • Favorites Advance; Abdusattorov, Kramnik Eliminated
      • So Sweeps Ivanchuk, Dominguez Defeats Hansen
      • Sevian Scores Spectacular Upset; Caruana, Andreikin Advance
      • American Favorites Clean House
      • Sweet Revenge, Stunning Upsets
      • Svidler Sweeps Shirov, Favorites Triumph
      • Legends Fall, Prodigies Prevail
      • Kramnik and Sevian Sweep Inaugural Matches
      • Anand, Ivanchuk, Kramnik, Topalov Among Global Chess Championship Participants
      • Announcing The $100,000 CGC Bracket Contest
      • Chess.com Global Championship 2022: All The Information