Bellin and Ostos Forge Ahead in Digicel RBTT Heroes Day Cup

English International Master Robert Bellin strung together 3 wins against Jomo Pitterson of Jamaica and Barbadian FIDE Masters Delisle Warner and Dr. Philip Corbin to join International Master Julio Ostos of Venezuela for the lead at the end of round 5 of  Digicel Heroes Day Masters Cup, currently being played at the Olympic Centre in Wildey.

International Master Robert Bellin of England in action during Digicel RBTT Heroes Day Cup

Ostos, held to a draw by Warner in round 3, won his 4^th and 5^th round matches against Corbin and Shane Matthews of Jamaica to retain the lead with Bellin on 4 points.

Barbados National Champion Terry Farley slipped to 3^rd position with 3 ½ points, having only himself to blame when he relaxed in an advantageous position against Corbin, a mistake which eventually cost him game. Disappointed, but determined did not repeat his error, Farley won his next 2 matches against Shane Matthews and FIDE Master Nelson Alvarado of Dominican Republic.

Top Seed and Defending Champion, International Master Augusto Moran of Ecuador, who is sponsored by Western Union, won his 3^rd round match against FIDE Master Warren Elliott of Jamaica but only managed draws against Pitterson and Warner to end round 5 on 3 points and 4^th position.

In RBTT Candidates section,  Justin Blackman of Queens College and Martyn Del Castilho of The Lodge School share a 3 way tie for 1^st place with Cesar Ramos of Venezuela on 2 ½ points.

Blackman won his opening games against veteran Michael Barker and Dr. Kevin Greenidge but was held to draw by the up and coming Asabi Layne of Deighton Griffith School.

Del Castilho scored wins against Layne and Roberto Castillo Serrano of Cuba but drew with Ramos. Ramos beat Castillo Serrano in his opening match and had a hard fought end game win over Martinique’s Giles Suez Panama.

The RBTT Challengers Section has a sole leader, Top Seed Shamel Howell of UWI with 4 ½ points.

 Shamel Howell of UWI, leader in RBTT Heroes Day Challengers Cup

 Rupert Jones of Papua New Guinea dropped to 2^nd position with 4 points after hard fought draws against Howell and Jason Paul of Trinidad & Tobago.

Paul is 3^rd with 3 ½ points followed by Barbados Under-16 Champion Alex Jackman of Deighton Griffith and Christopher Raphael of Trinidad & Tobago in a two way tie for 4^th position with 3 points.

Play continues on Monday May 28^th with the final rounds at 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. at the Olympic Centre in Garfield Sobers Sports Complex, Wildey.