Severino, Mendoza dominate Tagaytay Asian Chess Blitz

TAGAYTAY -- International Physically Disabled Chess Association (IPCA) world online chess rapid champion FM Sander Severino and Cheyzer Mendoza dominated the 3rd Asian Chess Championship for Players with Disabilities blitz tournament at the Character Hotel here Thursday.

Severino, the country’s winningest para chess player, swept his first three assignments before drawing the next two to capture the championship with four points out of a possible five.

The 40-year-old pride of Silay, Negros Occidental, who was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)when he was eight years old after a bicycle accident, finished half a point ahead of compatriots John Franz de Asis and AGM Henry Lopez in the five-round tournament organized by the Asian Chess Federation, Philippine Para Chess Association and Tagaytay Chess Club.

Lopez, who outplayed Felix Aguilera in the final round, and de Asis had 3.5 points each.

Severino defeated Shreesh Kulkarni of India in the first round, FM Sirojiddin Zaynidinov of Uzbekistan in the second round and Azizbek Safarov of Uzbekistan in the third round.

He drew against Aguilera in the fourth round and De Asis in the fifth round.

Safarov, one of four players from Uzbekistan, was the highest-placed foreign participant with 2.5 points.

In the women’s division, Mendoza bagged the title with 3.5 points on three wins and one draw.

Cheryl Angot finished runner-up with 2.5 points and Ainganym Kambarova of Kazakhstan with two points.

In another side event, AIM Arman Subaste ruled the rapid competition with 4.5 points on four wins and one draw

Menandro Redor finished second with four points, while Israel Peligro and Axadxon Kimsanboyev of Uzbekistan shared third to fourth places with 3.5 points.

In fifth place with three points was Darry Bernardo, who edged ErlanNurhayev of Kazakhstan in tiebreak

Tournament director is Patrick Lee.

Chief arbiter is IA James Infiesto, while deputy chief arbiter is IA Ricky Navalta.

Former Cavite Gov. Athena Tolentino (sitting, middle) joins officials and participants of the 3rd Asian Chess Championship for Players with Disabilities at the Character Hotel in Tagaytay City. Also in photo are IPCA world champion Sander Severino, Philippine Para Chess team coach James Infiesto, Red Dumuk, IA Ricky Navalta and players.