FM Castellano settles for 3rd overall in Penang Chess
by Marlon Bernardino
PENANG, MALAYSIA---Filipino FIDE Master (FM) Christopher Castellano made the country proud anew by finishing 3rd overall in the 3rd Mini Penang Chess Open 2023 at the Methodist Boys School ACS Union in Penang, Malaysia on Friday, April 28.

Castellano, one of the top players of Magic Mandaluyong Tigers in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP), defeated Fide Master Danil Najdin of Russia using the advantageous white pieces in the 9th and final round to finish with 7.0 points on 7 wins and 2 loses in nine outings of this FIDE rated tournament, organized by Penang Chess Association headed by it's president Atty. See Swee Sie and InHooi Teh.
“I would like to dedicate my victory to my countrymen. It’s an honor to represent our country,” said Castellano, whose stint here is being supported by sportsman Raymond Linsangan, Simeon Co, Atty. Nikki De Vega, Life Academy International School and White Knights Chess Club.

Top seed International Master Pavel Shkapenko took the title with 8.0 points followed by 2nd placer FIDE Master Yu Tian Poh of Malaysia who totes 7.5 points.
Shkapenko pocketed the gold medal plus the 2,500 Malaysian Ringgit (RM), Poh earned silver medal plus the 1,500 RM and Castellano went home the bronze medal plus 1,000 RM.
Rounding up to the top 10 are fourth Budhidharma Nayaka of Indonesia, fifth Looi Xin Hao of Malaysia, sixth NM Darry Bernardo, seventh FM Roel Abelgas, eight IM Ronald Bancod, ninth IM Andyka Pitra of Indonesia and tenth FM Sander Severino.
Adjudged category winners are Cecilia Natalie Liuviann of Indonesia and Marian Calimbo of the Philippines (top lady), Paul Eggers of the USA and James Infiesto of the Philippines (top veteran), Yeoh Yuan Hui and Loo Pin Xie of Malaysia (top Penang Chess Association), NM Henry Lopez, NM Arman Subaste, Menandro Redor, Felix Aguilera and Israel Peligro of the Philippines (top Paralympic Athletes), Steven Tan of Indonesia, Lim Feng Wei Ferris and Lim Wei Yang of Malaysia, Simanihuruk Nathanael Dieudonne and Marrhuimawan Maximiliano of Indonesia (U18 Boys), WCM Sim Jia Ru of Malaysia, and Wirawan Nadya Deandra of Indonesia (U18 Girls), AFM Lee Yun Rui of Malaysia, Thirof As Syahsyah Syakish, and  Alamsyah Shawn of Indonesia, Yeoh Wei Shen and Peh Yi Feng of Malaysia (U12 Boys).-Marlon Bernardino-
Final Standings:
8 points---IM Pavel Shkapenko of Russia (2,500 RM)
7.5 points---FM Yu Tian Poh of Malaysia (1,500 RM)
7.0 points---FM Christopher Castellano of the Philippines (1,000 RM)
6.5 points---Budhidharma Nayaka of Indonesia (900 RM)
6.0 points---Looi Xin Hao of Malaysia (800 RM), NM Darry Bernardo of the Philippines (700 RM), FM Roel Abelgas of the Philippines (600 RM), IM Ronald Bancod of the Philippines (500 RM) IM Andyka Pitra of Indonesia (400 RM) , FM Sander Severino of the Philippines (300 RM).-Marlon Bernardino-
Photo shows InHooi Teh of the Penang Chess Association and Fide Master Christopher Castellano of the Philippines
Top Lady from Cebu, Marian Calimbo