TEAMMATES AT 2014 CHESS OLYMPIAD?
Jeff Balbalosa, right, has committed to be a team member of 2014 World Chess Olympiad in Tromso, Norway. His probable teammates are Bernard Garcia, left, and Roberto Hernandez, standing left. In the middle is Joselito Marcos of Papua New Guinea and Paquito Suringa, Jr.
INSET: Senator Mlib Tmetchtul -- first Palauan to make it.
(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)
*INSET PHOTO OF SENATOR MLIB from Tia Belau files.
SENATOR MLIB TO 2014 NORWAY
CHESS OLYMPIAD?
THIS MIGHT be the biggest break that Palau chess is needed to jumpstart its progress and popularity.
In his casual conversation with Senator Mlib Tmetuchl, Roberto Hernandez suggested to him of being a member of Palau Chess team’s delegation to the 2014 World Chess Olympiad in Tromso, Norway in November.
The Senator, his wife Dixie, Ambassador to Palau Ramoncito Marino, his wife Issa and a Filipino lawyer have a dinner at Waves Restaurant of Palau Royal Resort on Saturday, July 14, 2012.
Hernandez played piano music to them and other guests (more or less 100) till 9:00 pm. He proceeded to Breeze Bar for another 2 hours and they said to him that they will follow him there for more talks and drinks.
At 11:00 pm, before punching out, Hernandez talks to them. Most of their conversation is about chess and about Palau’s chess team that will participate in the 2012 World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey.
Ambassador Marino suggested having Senator Mlib be as one of the member of Palau Chess Team to 2014 World Chess Olympiad in Norway. The idea has elicited a smile from the Senator. Ambassador Marino added that it will be the first time that a Palauan will be included in a Palau Chess team competing outside Palau.
In the 2009 Oceania Zonal Chess Championship in Australia, Hernandez represented Palau by himself. In the 2010 World Chess Olympiad in Russia, Hernandez, Tito Cabunagan, Australian Jamie Kenmure and Swedish Jan Berglund had represented Palau.
This time, Hernandez, Menandro Manuel, Bernard Garcia, Elizabeth Manuel, Jan Berglund, Jamie Kenmure and Mohammad Manik Hossain are headed to Istanbul, Turkey in Aug. 27-Sept. 10, 2012 with Manik still waiting for his employer, Uchel Tmechtul, brother of Senator Mlib, to give him permission to go to Istanbul.
Senator Mlib said he will talk to Uchel about it. Hernandez called Manik but he said Uchel and his family are currently in Hawaii for holiday. They will be back on the first week of August and it might be the crucial time for Manik to get Turkish visa.
The perfect position for Senator Mlib in the 2014 WCO is the Head of Delegation, who don’t need to be a good chess player to be one. The 2nd best position for him is the Team Captain of Palau Women’s Team and the 3rd is as reserve player of men’s (open) team.
While working on his documents for Turkish visa application at the Philippine Embassy office, Hernandez met Paz Ngiratechekii, a 65-year old retired lady and the grandmother of Michael Jordan (MJ) Ngiratechekii, who participated in 2003 Age Group Chess tournament.
She said she is interested to be in the women’s team for the 2014 World Chess Olympiad in Norway. She’s been to Utah and Hawaii in the USA not for chess but for holiday.
Many will think: “Why is the Palau Chess Team (men and women) sending older delegates/participants?”
THE ANSWER IS–Because many youngsters are not yet serious about chess at this time!
This might be a wake-up call for youngsters and maybe answering the same question with: “IF THE OLDER GENERATION CAN DO IT, WHY NOT US? WE CAN DO BETTER BECAUSE WE ARE THE FUTURE OF CHESS IN PALAU!”
On July 17, 2012, Jeff Balbalosa committed to Hernandez that he wants to be in the Palau Chess Team to Norway. He’s planning way ahead which is the right attitude.
So, the following is the Palau Chess Team tentative line-up to 2014 World Chess Olympiad:
Head of Delegation – Senator Mlib Tmechtul; Delegate – Mr. Jan Berglund; Team Captain –(Men’s) – Jamie Kenmure; Team Captain – (Women’s) –Mohammad Manik Hossain; Men’s Board 1 –Menandro Manuel; Board 2—Roberto Hernandez; Board 3 –Tito Cabunagan; Board 4—Bernard Garcia and reserve—Jeff Balbalosa.
Women’s Team—Board 1 – Angie Parrado; Board 2—Elizabeth Manuel; Board 3—Paz Ngiratechekii; Board 4 and reserve are still available.
Palau top chess player Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. and other interested players should praise what Jeff did. They have to start saving at least $1,500.00 for airfare.
The 2014 World Chess Olympiad is an election year for FIDE Presidency and Hernandez might get some sponsors aside from Senator Mlib’s potentially generous sponsors.
Here are the 5 winners of “Palau Word Search”… 1. Francis Toribiong #7751484 2. Kenji D. who said he found 15“Palau” words #779-2833 3. #778-3004 4. #779-1155 5. Kevin Ngirngemeusch, #778-5836, who was the only one who claimed his prize of $1.00 and a photo session, which he refused. He thought that every Palau word found is worth a dollar so he’s expecting $13.00. I’m going to give him $8.00 if he can find all the 8 “chess” word in the same card.
Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Pages 13 & 15
Volume 21
Issue 49
July 23, 2012
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