REMEMBER Asian junior champion GM Enrico Sevillano?

Sevillano has agreed to play for the Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates in 2021 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP)-GM Wesley So Cup chess championships beginning May 15.

The 53-year-old champion from Cebu, who earned his GM title in 2012, will reinforce the Mindanao-based team seeking to bounce back after failing to advance to the quarterfinal round in the recent All-Filipino Conference.

“I’m excited to play for the country again. I know most of the players in PCAP and it will be fun to play against them even online,” Sevillano told People’s Tonight.

“Masaya itong darating na GM Wesley So Cup,” added Sevillano, who is best remembered for winning the 10th Asian Junior Chess Championship held in Manila in 1986.

Surigao Checkmates team owner Rey Urbiztondo welcomed the addition of Sevillano, who will also now serve as the team import.

“We’re very happy to have Sevillano in our team. He is my long-time friend and teammate back in Cebu. Sa 1983 All Students Championship, nag-first siya at second ako. Yun pagkakaibigan namin dun nagsimula,” said Urbiztondo.

He said Sevillano, who became an American citizen in 2014, is eligible to play as import based on PCAP rules.

“Until now, he is still very humble and unassuming despite being the 2008 USA champion and many times California and Calgary champion.

Mas bina-balita pa nga niya ang kanyang son-in-law, who already has three GM results but still needs to complete the rating requirement,” explained Urbiztondo.

With former national junior champion and Davao pride NM Jonathan Tan also joining the team, Surigao now boasts of three junior champions in its line-up.

“Tatlo na sila ngayon — Sevillano, Tan and FM Vince Alaan, who willl now play as our homegrown player.” said Urbiztondo, who keeps his core group with more than 30 years of friendship.

The three players will man the first three boards for Surigao.

Also set to play for the team are former University of Mindanao standout Zsuzsa Tabudlong, Tyrone Alaan, Jessa Mae Lisondra, Joselito Serna, Cyrus Donasco, Robert Reyna Jr., Rogelio Canoy, and former NCFP Region X director Allan Diez.

Assisting Urbiztondo in the team are AGM Henry Lopez, who will serve as coach; and FM Cesar Caturla , consultant.

Sevillano, who migrated to California in1995, was one of the country’s strongest players in the 80s up to 90s before representing the US in 2002.

He represented the country in the World Junior Chess Championship in Sharjah in 1985 where he finished tied for fourth to ninth places; and Baguio City in 1987 when GM Viswanathand Anand of India dominated.

Sevillano was also two-time participant in the World Chess Olympiad for the Philippines — first in Manila in 1992 where he scored 7/9; and second in Moscow in1994 where he posted 6.5/11 on board three.

The pride of Southwestern University also played for the country in the Asian Team Championships in Penang in 1991 and Kuala Lumpur in 1993.

Among Sevillano’s biggest achievements are winning the 2008 US Open Championship on better tie-breaks over American GM Alexander Shabalov and IM Rade Milovanovic of Bosnia; 2009 Westwood Spring International Open; and 2011 Calgary International Chess Classic
In 2013,Sevillano tied for first place with GMs Wesley So, Jaan Ehlvest, Varuzhan Akobian, Alejandro Ramirez and Manuel Leon Hoyos in the Las Vegas International Chess Festival.