Wesley So had officially become a US citizen, according to the US Chess Federation.
The US Chess Federation on Thursday (Friday, Manila time) announced that Filipino-born chess champion and Super Grandmaster Wesley So had officially become a US citizen.
This effectively barred Wesley from returning to the Philippines in order to represent the country in his sport.
According to the US Chess Federation, Wesley became a United States citizen on February 26.
Wesley was born in Bacoor, Cavite before moving to the United States in 2012 after frustrations with politics in Philippine Sports. He – a three-time Philippine Champion and the reigning US Chess Champion – spoke about why he pursued to become a citizen of the United States.
READ ALSO: Wesley So Gifts Carlsen Defeat For 30th Birthday To Win Skilling Open
In an interview with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services during his ceremony, Wesley said that he wanted to give back to a country that had been so good to him.
“I want to give back to a country that has been so good to me. From the moment I landed here I was encouraged and enabled to become better than I was. That doesn’t mean I don’t love the Philippines. I have good memories from there. But I did not have the connections needed to succeed in that culture,” Wesley said.
Wesley previously gifted Magnus Carlsen 2nd place to win the Skilling Open last December 2020. At that time, Magnus was celebrating his 30th birthday.
Aside from this, Wesley won a stunner against the world’s No. 1 chess player Magnus Carlsen in the Opera Euro Rapid chess championship last February. It was Valentine’s Day at that time.
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