Sermeno didn't participate in the 5-round classification and had to settle with less stronger players.
He lost the first match with the black pieces but avenged the loss with a convincing victory with the white pieces.
Later in the afternoon, Morton Sawaichi came in prepared in the first round. He lost his first game against Sermeno with the white pieces. But with the black pieces, he scored his first tournament victory on Sunday, August 15 at Filco Thrift Mart, the site of the 2004 Open Chess tournament sponsored and hosted by Nestor Canaria.
After getting warm congratulations from the crowd, Sawaichi requested to practice with Ivan II Chess Computer. He was interested to apply what he had learned from the book the he borrowed (The Sicilian Dragon) and practiced 3 games.
He lost the first 2 by missing the right continuation but won the 3rd one. He has now a weapon to be used against Ivan II in the future matches against the formidable machine.
In the Class A division, former champion Eddie Grefiel leads the 9-player field with victories over Ivan II Chess Computer and Cyril Montel, Jr., who also lost his first round game against another former champion Menandro Manuel in a Queen's Pawn Game.
In the first game, Ivan II took advantage of Joel Azana's blunder to win in a clinical fashion. But Azana won his second game against another former champion Roberto Hernandez in 31 moves of King's Indian Defence.
In the last game of the day, Jimmy Valenzuela upset defending champion Jess Toldoya to start his campaign for a first title in 7 tournaments.
Bong Alipoon and Den Canaria did not play because of job requirement. Class B's 2nd seed Mariano Agustin, Jr. was the only absent participant.
A 32-year old lady (Bheng Codinera Mendoza -- real name -- Baby Edna Mission) is interested to participate. She said she needs to practice more because she has not played for a long time.
The Chairman (Hernandez) offered her to play in the Class B finals to refresh her skills.
She and her husband watched the broadcast of ABS-CBN Pinoy Organizations Abroad that the chairman sent by snail mail (post office) on April 20, 2004.
It was broadcast for the first time on August 11 and then on the 14th and 15th.
The broadcast starts with "Mga bata o matanda, mahilig ba kayong mag-chess? Sali na sa Knights and Rooks Chess Club ng The Filipino Community in Palau!"
(Calling chess enthusiasts of all ages. Do you like to play chess? Join the Knights and Rooks Chess Club of The Filipino Community in Palau)
It shows 6 pictures of different tournaments held in Palau including inactive players and Palauan Hirm Isechal, who handcrafted the storyboard-like trophies of the 2003 Senior and Junior Open Chess tournament held at C & N Refrigeration and Airconditioning Services.
Solution to last week's puzzle: (It is called the zigzag combination). 1. Qa8 Kg1 2. Qa7+ Kh1 3. Qb7+ Kg1 4. Qb6+ Kh1 5. Qc6 Kg1 6. Qc5+ Kh1 7. Qd5 Kg1 8. Qd4+ Kh1 9. Qe4 Kg1 10. Qe3+ kh1 11. Qf3 Kg1 12. Qf1 mate.
Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
August 20-27, 2004
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