FM Castellano nears Isabela chess title
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 10 Jan 2023
Individual Standings After Round 6:
5.5 points---FM Christopher Castellano
5.0 points---IM Joel Banawa
4.0 points---IM Barlo Nadera
3.5 points---IM Chito Garma, FM Robert Suelo Jr., USNM Rodolfo Panopio Jr., Lordwin Espiritu
3.0 points---IM Jose Efren Bagamasbad, Anwar Cabugatan
2.5 points---Alvin Aguinaldo, Lionel Cerezo, Servillano Obana
2.0 points---CM Genghis Katipunan Imperial, Jirah Floravie Cutiyog
1.5 points---Nicanor Marinduque
0.5 point---Roma Asea Simplina
MANILA---Fide Master Christopher Castellano of Cainta, Rizal defeated United States chess master Rodolfo "Jun" Panopio Jr. of Antipolo City to move on the verge of topping the Isabela Chess Club Inc. 1st FIDE Rated Chess Tournament presented by Engr. Arthur Simplina of Dublin , Ohio at the 4th Floor Municipal Building Magsaysay in Alicia, Isabela on Monday, January 9.
Castellano, a University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman conservatory of Music tenor graduate, hiked his total to 5.5 points, 0.5 point ahead of International Master Joel "Cholo" Banawa.
Castellano plays Lordwin Espiritu of Santiago, Isabela in the seventh and final round and if he could hold the fort, he will clinch his first major title at the start of 2023.
Castellano's meteoric rise could be credited to his racking three straight wins including masterful triumphs over 1996 Philippine Junior Champion Fide Master Roberto Suelo Jr. of Quezon City, International Master Barlo Nadera of Malabon and Panopio.
Meanwhile, Banawa zoomed to solo No. 2 with five points after beating International Master Chito Garma of Manila while Nadera climbed at no.3 with four points after crushing Anwar Cabugatan of Santiago, Isabela.
Banawa goes up against Nadera in the last round in this seven round Swiss system, FIDE rated Standard format (90 Minutes plus 30 seconds increment) which offers P15,000, trophy and certificate to the champion.
Aside Engr. Arthur Simplina of Dublin , Ohio, other supporters were Mr. Eduardo Aradanas of Las Vegas, Nevada, Engr. Pepito Castellanes of Denver Colorado, Engr. Amor Simplina of Managua, Nicaragua and Mayor Atty. Joel Amos P. Alejandro , CPA of Alicia, Isabela.-Marlon Bernardino-
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