Morton Sawaichi, right, poses with venue host Artemio Navarette behind the giant chessboard made by Roberto Hernandez during the 2005 Regular Chess tournament. (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)
MOMENTUM WIN
In 13 games at the 2005 Regular Chess Tournament, Palauan
bet Morton Sawaichi notched only 3 wins but after his latest win against tough
newcomer Manny Nedic, he don’t like to play another game against 6th
seed Jimmy Valenzuela to keep his momentum going and played as few as one game
per week.
The
tournament is only on its 8th round last Sunday, March 06, 2005 at
Image Restaurant and being sponsored by the officers and members of Palau
Paradise Lions Club.
Nedic
missed the right defense (a knight move) and was mated by Sawaichi with a queen
move in the back rank. Sawaichi won last week over Gene Pastrana but lost to
Cyril Montel, Jr. that stopped his momentum and he doesn’t like it to happen
again.
Nedic
lost another game to top seed Roberto Hernandez in 61 moves of Bird’s Opening.
Their game is such a cliffhanger as the crowd saw a winning continuation for
Nedic on the 32nd move which was analyzed at the end of the game.
Valenzuela
found a bishop sacrifice that would have won the game for Nedic against any
defense. A clever in-between move by Hernandez on the 37th move
allowed him to put Nedic’s queen in passive position. A mistake pawn move by
Nedic on the 38th move sealed the victory for Hernandez although
Nedic tried to draw the game with perpetual check. Hernandez found a haven for
his king at a2 and threatens to promote another pawn for a queen when Nedic
resigned.
Third
seed Menandro Manuel toppled Montel, Jr. to keep the lead of 4.5 points over
his closest pursuer, Jose Omega, who was absent for Rock Island trip. His
adjourned game against Nedic will be played next Sunday in the original venue,
the premises of Palau Paradise Lions Club.
In
the last game of the day, Montel, Jr. clobbered Dennis Gonzales in 45 moves of
a Center Counter Game and stayed at 5th spot with a 5-2-1
win-loss-draw record.
After
the completion of the games, the players have discussed some suggestions to
improve the ever-growing popularity of chess in Palau. An agenda was discussed
for the report of past accomplishments, responsibilities, policies, election of
new officers and board of directors, financial report, the next tournaments of
the year and a meeting to finalize the next tournament.
Also
discussed were the possible sponsors and recruitment of new members who are
somehow hesitant to join due to venue problem and the printing of Knights and
Rooks Chess Club polo shirt with logo.
Solution
to last week’s puzzle: 1. Na6 Kc6 2. Be8 mate. If 1….Kxa6 2. Bc4 mate. If 1.
…Ka8 2. Bd5 mate and if 1. …Kc8, then 2. Bd6 mate.
This week’s puzzle: White to move
and mates in 2 (Solution next issue)
Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Pages 9-10
Volume 14
February 25-March 04, 2005
Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Pages 9-10
Volume 14
February 25-March 04, 2005
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