(350) AS CLOSE AS IT GETS (TBN-Nov. 26, 2012)

POLO SHIRTS DONATION OF PPR
    CM Bernardo Garcia, left, shakes hands with Class A leader Roberto Hernandez before the start of their 2nd game. They are both wearing PPR polo shirts donated to Palau Chess Team to 2012 World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey.                   (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)


          AS CLOSE AT IT GETS

THE 6^th week of the 2012 Palau National Chess Championship produced one of the most exciting games of the event. It’s pivotal to Candidate Master Bernardo Garcia’s quest for a first national title after gaining his CM title in the 2012 World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey.

After drawing his game against Jose Celiz on Saturday, Nov. 17, he lost on the same day to erstwhile Palau’s number one player Menandro Manuel but bounced back with a vengeance on the next day to beat 3^rd seed Roberto Hernandez in 37 moves of English Opening and avenged his loss to Manuel with a 37-move conquest of a Nimzo-Indian Defence.

Thus, Garcia moves half point closer to Hernandez in the leadership after the latter lost another one to Gonzalo Escpatoria in 48 moves of Danish Gambit where they used a shorter time control of 45 minutes with 30 seconds increment so that Hernandez can make it on time for work and to submit his chess report to Tia Belau.

Jon Manuel Reyes lost to Baby Edna Mission, the replacement of Lenge Gibbons who can’t finish 20 games in 3 weeks. Mission, formerly known as Bheng Codinera Mendoza, whips Zachary Techall Whipps in 21 moves of King’s Pawn Opening. Reyes outwitted Mary Frances Lopez in 26 moves of English Opening.

Mission’s winning streak was extended to 3 after beating Angelil Sisor in 30 moves of King’s Pawn Opening but Angelil’s younger sister Destiny avenged her loss by snapping Mission’s streak in 35 moves of Queen’s Pawn Opening.

Current leader Jeff Balbalosa defeated the 2 women players Angie and Mary and drew with Elpidio Manaligod in 37 moves of Sicilian Defence. Martin scored a point over Parrado, for her only 3^rd loss.

Nilo de Jesus extended his winning streak to 6 by trouncing Ksau Anthony Whipps and Geoff Martin but suffered his first loss to Angie Parrado in 40 moves of Pirc Defence.

 In the Class A division, Jose Celiz clobbered Paquito Suringa, Jr. and his co-employee at PPUC Tito Cabunagan scored a convincing victory over Escapatoria.

Roberto emailed Leon Ryan, the President of Guam Echecs, to send an invitation to Mary Frances Lopez so that she can get a US visa to be able to participate in the 2013 Guam World Open Chess. Mr. Ryan will email the invitation and other relevant information about the event on Monday.

Ferdinand Gutierrez left Palau for good last Tuesday, Nov. 20. His remaining games were declared 3 wins (over Luciano Sibayan, Dan Roldan and Manuel Mahor, Jr.); 6 losses (to Balbalosa, Dennis Gonzales, de jesus, Mohammad Manik Hossain, Jaime dela Cruz and Parrado) and draws to the rest of the field.

Mahor’s standings was adjusted to a win and a loss and draws to Paz Ngiratechekii, Sibayan, Gonzales, Hossain, Parrado, Manaligod, Miguel Hilario, who will replace Freddie Gloria, Zachary Whipps, Martin and Mission.

Games on weekdays at Palau Royal Resort Dormitory 1 are no longer allowed. The games between Mission, Hilario and Lopez were held on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22 at SDA Gym. They borrowed 2 sets of chess materials before going there. Paquito and Cyril Montel, Jr. played blitz chess while 3 official games were played in which Mission prevailed over Hilario and Lopez. Hilario subdued Lopez in 33 moves of QPO.

LATEST RESULTS OF PENULTIMATE ROUND (Nov. 24) – Class A – Celiz prevailed over CM Garcia in their 2^nd game in 34 moves of Nimzo-Indian Defence; Manuel had an equal 6 wins, 6 losses card after nipping Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. in another 34 moves of King’s Indian Defence; Cabunagan swept Hernandez; Manuel swept Escapatoria, too; Celiz stays in contention with a win over Montel, Jr. and Garcia dislodged Hernandez at the top by a mere half point after sweeping Cabunagan.

Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
              Tia Belau Newspaper
              Pages 8-9
              Volume 21
              Issue 85
              November 26, 2012