SILAY CITY, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL — The Philippine sports community is in mourning following the passing of FIDE Master Sander Severino, the first Filipino to ever win a world chess championship. Severino passed away in his hometown on Saturday, February 7, 2026, due to heart failure. He was 40.
A Life Defying the Odds Diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) at the age of eight, Severino spent his life defying medical expectations and the physical limitations of his condition.
- Global Recognition: He made history in 2020 by winning the IPCA World Individual Chess Championship, becoming the Philippines’ first world champion in the sport.
- Regional Dominance: He was a perennial gold medalist, consistently leading the Philippine contingent in the ASEAN Para Games and Asian Para Games.
- Swan Song: In what proved to be his final competitive appearance, Severino delivered a staggering performance at the 13th ASEAN Para Games in Thailand just weeks ago, bringing home five gold medals and one silver.
A Pillar of Philippine Para Sports Severino’s final “tour of duty” in Thailand significantly bolstered the Philippines’ best-ever finish in the biennial meet, contributing to a total haul of 45 golds. National para chess coach James Infiesto expressed his heartbreak over the loss of a “fallen comrade,” recalling their historic moment at the 2018 Asian Para Games in Jakarta where three Philippine flags were raised simultaneously during the national anthem—a feat Severino helped achieve.
Posthumous Honors In recognition of his extraordinary contributions to Philippine sports and his indomitable spirit, the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) will posthumously honor Severino during its Awards Night on February 16, 2026, at the Diamond Hotel in Manila.
The pride of Silay, who earned his FIDE Master title in 2015, leaves behind a legacy of resilience and excellence that transformed the landscape of para-sports in the Philippines. He proved that the mind’s brilliance can soar regardless of the body’s constraints, inspiring a new generation of chess players and para-athletes across the nation.