Sunday, March 25, 2012

(80) GRAND PLAN FOR PALAU CHESS PUSHED

GRAND PLAN FOR PALAU CHESS PUSHED
(Palau Horizon -- January 4-6, 2005)
Morton Sawaichi, left, is up against Tutii Joe Chilton. Their game won Morton the Brilliancy Award and $50.00 cash prize in which Morton dontated $30.00 so that Palau Chess Federation can pay its first year due to FIDE.

FILIPINO CHESS buff Roberto Hernandez has a grand plan for the sport in Palau.

Hernandez, Chairman of the Knights And Rooks Chess Club and who's been successfully organizing tournaments for several years now, wanted Palau to become a member of the International Chess Federation (FIDE).

However to make this realized, Palau has to be an observer first before being admitted as bona fide member of the world's governing body in chess.

The next right move is to send a team to represent Palau to the 37th edition of the biennial meet in Torino, Italy in 2006.

Through his extensive experience and close association with some insiders of FIDE, Hernandez could help Palau make its debut in the actual competition where would be Palau players have the chance to face the world's best.

Recently, Hernandez has started forging a link with two Palauans whom he considered as best to be in the forefront of pushing this grand vision that will pave the way for the growth and popularity of chess among the Palauan youth.

Hernandez said talks have been going on among Tutii Joe Chilton and Morton Sawaichi and him and they have so far agreed in principle about this awesome goal.

"We have already talked about how we can make the Palauans to join us in this plan. It's just a matter of time, how we start it," thus said Hernandez, who has many shared moments while still playing against Asia's first Grandmaster Eugene Torre.

In a letter to Chilton and Sawaichi, Hernandez noted that the host country usually gives 50 percent discount on airfare and there is an Italian friend, Andrea Buriani, who is willing to assist during the event.

Buriani, an Italian tourist here who won the one-day blitz chess tournament last August, has personally sent email messages asking if Palau can send its own team in the 2006 event.

If Palau is finally accepted as FIDE member, the Palau Chess Federation will be created after which national tournaments will be held and the top six players will eventually form the nucleus of Palau team in 2008.

Two years will be enough to save money for accomodation for the three-week event, Hernandez said, as he vowed to do everything to support Palau put into the chess map.

He suggested that blitz chess festival be held twice a month and the half of the prize will be coming from fundraising and maybe from some sponsors.

He said this is also an opportunity to promote Palau and who knows the country may even have the opportunity to bid to host the prestigious tournament.

The last Chess Olympiad was held in Mallorca, Spain where 126 countries participated in the men's division and 84 in the women's side.

Hernandez is not about to blink. He's planning to write to President Remengesau for support.

Source: Palau Horizon January 4-6, 2005 issue
With report from Nazario Rodriguez, Jr.
Horizon News Staff



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