Severino, Caoili cop Asian U-16 chess titles

Sander Severino and Arianne Caoili enhanced their young chess careers by topping their respective division with contrasting final round results in the Asian Continental Under-16 Chess Championships in Bagac, Bataan Wednesday.

Severino, 15, bowed to national kiddies champion Julio Catalino Sadorra in 55 moves of a Reti Opening but still won the boys’ crown with a seven-point output on a 6-1-2 (win-loss-draw) record in the 9-round Swiss system event.

That was a half-point better than Tranh Anh Tri of Vietnam and Oliver Barbosa, who both wound up with 6.5 points. Sadorra finished in joint fourth with 5.5 points.

"I’m very, very happy, but sad at the same time because I would be leaving my friends in the non-master tournaments," said Severino, who obtained not only the National Master title but a FIDE Master and International Master norm as well.

Caoili, on the other hand, whipped 9-year-old Kimberly Jane Cunanan in 34 moves of a Sicilian-Maroczy as she ruled the girls’ side with 8 points on eight victories against one loss.

"I just feel great but tired," said the Fil-Australian Caoili, whose victory came as a fitting gift to her 14th birthday today. The Caoilis will fly back to her grandparents’ house in Gold Coast, Australia for the holidays before resuming her campaign in Europe next year.