Severino, Frayna emerge online chess champs

MANILA, Philippines — FIDE Master Sander Severino escaped with a draw versus Michael Silvederio in the seventh and final round to rule the second leg of the online Cesar Orbe Memorial Cup done Wednesday night.

Severino, a multiple gold medal winner in both the Asian and ASEAN Para Games, actually wound up in a five-way tie for first place with Grandmaster Darwin Laylo, Narquingel Reyes, Elwyn Retanal and FM Alekhine Nouri with 8.5 points apiece but emerged champ on account of the best tiebreak.

The feat catapulted the Silay City, Negros Occidental native to the top of the overall race with eight points ahead of opening leg winner GM Joey Antonio, with five points.

It was Severino’s second title in the year after ruling the Chooks-to-Go Rapid last January.

In another online event, Janelle Mae Frayna, the country’s first Filipina to have booked the Woman GM title, blew away the competition in the First Philippine Women Bullet Championship.

Frayna finished with 80 points, 13 points ahead of closest pursuer WFM Cherry Ann Mejia with 67.

Not even a scrambling finish could deny Frayna the crown. She faltered in the last four rounds, coming through with just a win and a draw.

Frayna succumbed to Jessa Mae Lisondra in the last round.