FIDE Master Sander Severino captured back-to-back titles in just a week after winning the just-concluded “The Negros Chess Encounter 2017” held at the Barrio Fiesta Center Mall and Palau Hotel in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.
Severino, who earlier won the Piaya Network Broadcasting Corporation/6th Negros Closed Chess Championship, scored 6.0 points (35.0 BH) in seven rounds to edge eventual second placer Edsel Montoya (6.0/31.0 BH); third placer Danmaersk Mangao (6.0/28.0 BH); and fourth placer Christopher Tubalado (6.0/ 21.5 BH).
Severino took home P15,000 plus trophy while Montoya and Mangao went home with P10,000 and P5,000, respectively.
International Master Joel Pimentel dropped to sixth place with 5.0 (34.5 BH) behind Bryle Arellano with 5.5 points at fifth place. Completing the fourth to 10th places were Ted Ian Montoyo, Ellan Asuela, Jerich Cajeras and National Master Carlito Lavega, who all received cash incentives.
Severino thanked the organizers for bringing competitive tournaments in Negros Occidental which had helped many local chess players.
“I’m so happy for the win. I never expected to win the San Carlos tournament because there are also lots of strong opponents from Cebu and Negros Island. I think I’m just fortunate that my confidence level was quite high after winning the Negros Closed – where the finalists were all strong,” he said.
Severino will now focus his preparation for the upcoming Negros International Open Chess Championship this October 11-19, 2017 – featuring the country’s top grand masters and several invited international Grandmasters like Nigel Short of England. (HGD)
