By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Negrense Sander Severino settled for a runner-up finish in the International Physically Disabled Chess Association (IPCA) World Chess Championships held recently in Gyumri, Armenia.

The Negros Occidental’s Silay City-native Severino failed to clinch the gold medal after faltering in the ninth and final round against International Master Andrei Gurbanov of Israel.

The 39-year-old Severino could have a chance to capture the gold medal if he forces Gurbanov to a draw, but the Israeli woodpusher carved out a 20-move victory to deny the Negrense a championship finish.

Kazakhstan’s FIDE Master (FM) Alimzhan Ayapov, who drew with FM Illia Lipilin of FIDE refugee team’s FM Illia Ilipin, took the championship with seven points.

Severino, who ruled the tournament four years ago, dropped to a five-player logjam at no. 2 with 6.5 points, but ended up with the highest tiebreaker score to claim the runner-up finish.

James Infiesto, Severino’s head coach, finished in eighth spot with six points after his draw with Armenian FM Sargis Sargissyan, Henry Lopez finished in 16th, while Cheyzer Mendoza ended in 17th with 5.5 points each./ASC, WDJ