by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA---Fide Master Christopher Castellano defeated Fide Master Robert Suelo Jr. to grab the solo lead in the fourth round of the Isabela Chess Club Inc. 1st FIDE Rated Chess Tournament on Sunday, January 8 at the 4th Floor Municipal Building Magsaysay in Alicia, Isabela.
Castellano, a University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman conservatory of Music tenor graduate raise his total 3.5 points on three wins and a draw in four outings.
Castellano, earlier drew with International Master Chito Garma in Round 3.
Individual Standings After Round 4:
3.5 points---FM Christopher Castellano
3.0 points---IM Barlo Nadera, IM Joel Banawa
2.5 points---FM Robert Suelo Jr., IM Chito Garma, Lordwin Espiritu, USNM Rodolfo Panopio Jr.
2.0 points---IM Jose Efren Bagamasbad, Anwar Cabugatan, CM Genghis Katipunan Imperial
1.5 points---Alvin Aguinaldo, Jirah Floravie Cutiyog
1.0 point---Lionel Cerezo, Nicanor Marinduque, Servillano Obana
0.5 point---Roma Asea Simplina
In other results, International Master Barlo Nadera split the points against Suelo in Round 3 and against United States chess master Rodolfo "Jun" Panopio Jr. in Round 4 while International Master Joel "Cholo" Banawa bounce back after a sorry loss to Castellano in Round 2 then beating Candidate Master Genghis Katipunan Imperial in Round 3 and reigning Asian Seniors 65 over category champion International Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad in Round 4 to bring their total to 3.0 each.
Suelo, on the other hand, remains at 2.5 points, the same output of Garma, Lordwin Espiritu and Panopio.
The event is supported by Mr. Eduardo Aradanas of Las Vegas, Nevada, Engr. Pepito Castellanes of Denver Colorado, Engr. Amor Simplina of Managua, Nicaragua, Engr. Arthur Simplina of Dublin , Ohio and Mayor Atty. Joel Amos P. Alejandro , CPA of Alicia, Isabela.
It is a seven round Swiss system format, 90 Minutes plus 30 seconds increment according to Tournament director FA Ronnie Tabudlong, Chief Arbiter FNA Sheryll A. Bordon and Deputy Chief Arbiter FNA John Robert B. Bumatay.
Aside from the title, the 1st FIDE Rated Chess Tournament organized by Isabela Chess Club Inc. (ICCI), affiliated by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) offers a trophy and certificate plus P15,000 prize to the top winner.
The second placer will get P7,000 plus trophy and certificate, third P5,000 plus trophy and certificate, fourth P3,000 plus trophy and certificate and fifth P2,000 plus trophy and certificate. Sixth to Tenth Placers will earn P1,000 trophy and certificate.-Marlon Bernardino-
A file photo shows Fide Master Christopher Castellano (left)