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-
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