Negrense Fide Master Sander Severino from Silay City drew with Grand Master Nigel Short in the third round of the Bangkok Invitational Chess Open, team manager Marvin Ting said.

In an email sent to the local media, Ting informed that Severino now has a total of 2.5 points after winning his two assignments against Xu Fei of China in rounde one and against Jon Eriksson in round two.

A drew with Short is an accomplishment for Severino, noting that the English chess wizard was a former World Championship challenger to Grandmaster Gary Kasparov.

Also getting off to a good start in his first international tournament was PO1 Ernie Abanco, who has 2 points after beating French man Soyer Alan in round one, and Thailand’s MA Naorn in the second round.

Earlier, chess patron Tony Aguirre said he and his partners are bankrolling Severino and Abanco’s participation in the tournament in Bangkok to give local chess players a chance to upgrade their skills.

While it would be overwhelming for either Severino and Abanco to win in Bangkok, Aguirre said for the two to land in the top 20 would already be a success.

After their stint in Thailand, Aguirre is mulling over the idea of sending the two to more competitions either in Europe or in the US.

Both Severino and Abanco are professional chess players and winners of the series of tournaments bankrolled by Aguirre and his partners that culminated in the 1st Negros Closed Individual Chess Championship in December last year.

Also throwing its support to the two chess players from Negros is the First Community Bank, Inc. owned by the Villanueva family.

Like Aguirre, banker Lawrence Villanueva said chess is their family’s passion as he and his brother, Hugo Villanueva, do not only play the game but are committed to extend assistance to its development in Negros.

Villanueva believes that there are good players in Negros who can excel in the sport if given the necessary support.*NAB

back to top

Severino draws with GM Short
10 teams set to join Batang PBA elims
BBC/Amazing ’09 routs Batch 2007-10
Sipalay pugs rule Panaad boxing tilt