3RD GM NORM FOR CEBUANO ENRICO SEVILLANO AT 21ST METROPOLITAN CHESS FIDE INVITATIONAL
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 13 Aug 2012
Sevillano.
FILIPINO Enrico Sevillano (ELO 2526) won the 21st Metropolitan Chess FIDE Invitational and a Grandmaster norm during the 10-player round-robin tournament held last August 3-7 at the Radisson Los Angeles Airport Hotel in Los Angeles, California, USA.
The Cebuano native woodpusher who is currently based in California tallied six points in nine outings.
Sevillano, the 1986 Asian junior champion, two time Philippine Chess Olympiad player (1992 & 1994), 2008 U.S. Open Champion and the first Filipino ever to qualify for the U.S. Championship in 2009, defeated USA?s IM Melikset Khachiyan and IM Levon Altounian in the last two round en route to his 3rd and final GM norm, making him GM-elect.
Tying for second were GM Robert Hess of the USA (ELO 2624) and IM Roman Yankovsky of Russia (ELO 2468) both with 5.5 out of 9.0.
?Ikong? Sevillano, as fondly called by the old-timers and those who know him, achieved his 2nd GM norm in the 13th Metropolitan Chess FIDE Invitational last December 2011.
Sevillano is a member of Heritage Bible Church. A Fil-Am Christian Ministry in Bakersfield, California which was founded by Pastor Jojo Culaniban, also a Filipino Pastor Missionary.
"Congratulation to our very own International Master Enrico Sevillano for clinching his 3rd and final GrandMaster Norm! You are the Philippine's newest GrandMaster! The Ahedres ng Pilipinas family salutes you! We are so proud of you! Keep up the good work!" said US master Ruben Ondangan, a close friend of Sevillano and also a Filipino Pastor from Lancaster, California who hails from Marikina City.
With his latest feat, Sevillano is the third Cebuano Grandmaster following the foot-step of Paris-based Joseph Sanchez and Richard Bitoon.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Llover vows comeback
By Joaquin Henson, Mon, 08 Jun 2026Banawa, rules National Age Group Chess Championship
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 08 Jun 2026Saludar arrives in Japan to fight on June 10
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 07 Jun 2026Eala wins her 2nd WTA title at Lexus Birmingham Open
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 07 Jun 2026Mindoro beats Mexican, stays undefeated
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 07 Jun 2026Panamanian Government, Roberto "Hands of Stone" Durán, and the Mexican Márquez Brothers Join Forces for Amateur Boxing Megaproject
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 07 Jun 2026Alex Eala advances to Birmingham Open finals
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 07 Jun 2026Santé Barley Trilogy Run Asia 2026 Davao Leg 2
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 07 Jun 2026Casimero stops Nery in 4th round
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 06 Jun 2026Edward Vazquez keeps title hopes alive by winning razor-thin unanimous decision over Daniel Lugo in Main Event of ProBoxTV
Sat, 06 Jun 2026LABAN PILIPINAS! Kenneth Llover Ready to KO His Way to a World Title Shot
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 06 Jun 2026Nery Does It Again: Overweight, But Casimero Says Let’s Fight!
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 06 Jun 2026Undefeated Gabriela Tellez to Challenge Elif Nur Turhan for IBF Lightweight World Title June 13 in Glendale, AZ
Sat, 06 Jun 2026SHEFFIELD FIGHT WEEK: OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS, FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER FOR PADLEY VS FIAZ – LIVE ON DAZN
Sat, 06 Jun 2026Bruce “2.0” Seldon Jr.: From a Champion’s Son to Heavyweight Headliner
Sat, 06 Jun 2026