FIDE Master Sander Severino pulled off an escape 63-move draw with youthful Alimzhan Ayapov of Kazakhstan to remain at the helm with three others after seven rounds of the International Physically Disabled Chess Association World Championship at the Black Fortress in Gyumri, Armenia Thursday, July 25.

The win kept Severino, who last won the crown four years ago, atop the leaderboard with Ayapov, FM Marcin Molenda of Poland and FM Illia Lipin of FIDE’s refugee team with 5.5 points.

Molenda halved the point with Armenian FM Sargis Sargissyan, while Lipin downed former world champion FM Andrei Onduchuck of FIDE.

Severino was battling Lipin in the eighth and penultimate round of this nine-round, 52-player meet at press time.

Half a point behind the lead group with five points was a five-player chase pack that included another Filipino Henry Lopez, who smashed Artem Anfinogenov of FIDE.

Two more Filipino bets -- national para team coach James Infiesto and ASEAN Para Games gold winner Cheyzer Mendoza -- hurdled their respective foes to remain in contention for a top 10 finish with 4.5 points apiece.

Infiesto clobbered Grigoriy Safronov of FIDE while Mendoza slammed Jakub Vanek of the Czech Republic.