FM Castellano eyes first IM norm in Selangor tourney
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 16 May 2023
There's no stopping chess player FIDE Master Christoper Castellano from reaching his dreams.
Castellano, 45, is fresh from a third overall finish in the 3rd Mini Penang Chess Open 2023 held at the Methodist Boys School ACS Union in Penang, Malaysia last April 28.
"I am happy with my latest achievement (third overall finished in the 3rd Mini Penang Chess Open 2023). I will work even harder to get the International Master (IM) title. I will not waste the support given by my family and my sponsors who trust in my ability," said former University of the Philippines top chess player Castellano, whose stint in the tournament is being supported by former NCFP board of director Raymond Linsangan, NCFP legal counsel Atty. Nikki De Vega, Simeon Co, Life Academy International School and the White Knights Chess Club.
The first of three IM norms is offered at the 47th Selangor Open Chess Tournament 2023 KL Gateway Mall, Kuala Lumpur scheduled from May 26 to 31 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The second norm is at the ASEAN Chess Series 2023 in Chiang Mai, Thailand (June 28 to July 4) and the third is at the ASEAN Chess Series 2023 (July 5 to 11) in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.
An IM norm is also offered at the 29th Abu Dhabi Chess Festival in the United Arab Emirates (August 14-25) and ASEAN Chess Series 2023 (October 15 to 21) in Vientiane, Laos.
Castellano, one of the top players of the Magic Mandaluyong Tigers in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP), learn the rudiments of chess at the age of 10 to the late Asia's First International Master Rodolfo Tan Cardoso and Milo Checkmate of Woman National Master Milagros Emperado.
Currently, Castellano is in a rigid training under his personal coach and trainer International Master Ronald Bancod and Jason Rojo.-Marlon Bernardino-
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT RONNY ALVAREZ TRAINING CAMP NOTES
Thu, 22 Jan 2026STRICKLAND STUNS REYES AS SOUQUET SEALS REDEMPTION | WNT LEGENDS
Thu, 22 Jan 2026Knicks defeats Nets 120-66 to post largest margin of victory in franchise history
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 22 Jan 2026Mauricio Sulaiman: "We simply urge Zuffa Boxing to respect and protect boxing and the boxer"
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 22 Jan 2026January 31: Xander Zayas-Abass Baraou Junior Middleweight Title Unification Showdown to Stream LIVE on Top Rank Classics FAST Channel in the United States
Thu, 22 Jan 2026Mike Tyson to Launch “Mike Tyson Invitational,” a Three-Day Amateur Boxing Showcase Aimed at Elevating the Future of American Boxing
Thu, 22 Jan 2026KAIPO GALLEGOS TRAINING CAMP NOTES
Thu, 22 Jan 2026REYES AND BUSTAMANTE DELIVER HOME-SOIL MASTERCLASS | WNT LEGENDS
Wed, 21 Jan 2026Reigning World 10-ball Champion Filipino cue master Jonas Magpantay to see action in Indonesia pool tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 21 Jan 2026OLYMPIC BOXING 7: 1936 OLYMPICS AT BERLIN, GERMANY
By Maloney L. Samaco, Wed, 21 Jan 2026Usyk and Zuffa Boxing Negotiations Update
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 21 Jan 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: Twelve Years Later, Don José is Still With Us
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Tue, 20 Jan 2026Get know “BIG BAD BAZLEY”as he retuns March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Tue, 20 Jan 2026“Jye Chin brings a fight to whoever, whenever and where ever”: Jye Chin ready for WBC title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Tue, 20 Jan 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 18 JANUARY 2026: Nikita Tszyu-Michael Zerafa End in No Contest; Raul Curiel Outpoints Jordan Panthen
By Eric Armit, Mon, 19 Jan 2026