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Julie Siple and Tom Weber

Listen: What's it like to be a chess master?

Wesley So
Wesley So, 23, of Minnetonka often studies the chess board for eight hours a day. He's been playing the game since he was seven years old, when he took on his neighbors in the Philippines.
Evan Frost | MPR News

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MPR News host Tom Weber talked with Wesley So, the Minnetonka chess grandmaster who last month claimed the title of U.S. chess champion.

So was born in the Philippines and came to the U.S. on a college chess scholarship. He's now ranked the number two chess player in the world.

So recently returned home from Azerbaijan, where his 67-game winning streak came to an end.

To hear the full conversation use the audio player above.