The threesome and handsome, from left, CM Joselito
Marcos, IA and former Oceania Zone President Gary Bekker and Roberto Hernandez,
have contributed immeasurable time, efforts, technical and financial
contributions to the success of developing chess in Oceania Zone. This photo
was taken at Rica Hotel in Norway, where the sun doesn’t set. The 3,000
participants of 2014 World Chess Olympiad never experience darkness in their 15
days stay! (Photo by Roberto Hernandez - taken by Rica Hotel employee)
PALAU WILL BID TO HOST 2017
OCEANIA ZONAL CHESS
CHAMPIONSHIP
PALAU WILL BID TO HOST 2017
OCEANIA ZONAL CHESS
CHAMPIONSHIP
IN THE 2010 questionnaire that the World Chess Federation
(FIDE) has sent to Roberto Hernandez, Secretary/Treasurer of Palau Chess
Federation, one of the questions there is “What are your plans in the next 4
years?” One of Roberto’s answers is “To host the 2015 Oceania Zonal Chess
Championship.”
It’s
not possible for Palau to host it next year because it will be held again in
Australia (Sydney) in July 2015. The OZCC is being held alternatively in
Australia, New Zealand and Fiji, where Roberto was invited by Fiji Chess
Federation President Dr. Virgilio de Asa, to attend the 2007 OZCC. Nobody can
afford the airfare of $2,750.00 even though Paul Spiller of New Zealand donated
his $100.00 cash prize in the 2006 inaugural Palau Invitational Chess
Championship, for the sole representative of Palau to Fiji OZCC.
Roberto was able to attend the
2009 OZCC in Gold Coast, Australia because its President then, Mr. Gary Bekker,
provided Roberto with airfare subsidy of $500.00. The excess of about $300.00
was shouldered by Mr. Bekker from his own pocket.
The 2011 OZCC was held in
Rotorua, New Zealand in January 25-31, 2011 with Roberto and Tito Cabunagan
planning to participate. A few weeks before the event, Tito withdrew. Mohammad
Manik Hossain is willing to replace him but the shortness of time prevented
Roberto and Manik to go even with $300.00 travel subsidy for each of them from
Mr. Spiller. Only Joselito Marcos of PNG made it.
In the 2013 OZCC in Fiji again,
CM Bernardo Garcia and cancer survivor Paz Ngiratechekii tried to participate
but didn’t made it also.
During
to Closing Ceremony of the 2014 World Chess Olympiad in Tromso, Norway, Roberto
Hernandez and Paul Spiller of New Zealand-- the newly elected Oceania Zone
President, have sit beside each other on the bus going back to their hotels. It
was then that Mr. Spiller confirmed that CM Kurt Meier died of heart attack
while playing on the last and final day of the Chess Olympiad. The organizers
have given Mr. Meier a victory in his unfinished game against Alain Patience
Niyibizi of Rwanda.
During
their conversation, Roberto mentioned to Paul that maybe Palau can host the
2017 OZCC. A shine in Paul’s eyes supported fully the idea. He said the Sheik
of Al Ain, Abu Dhabi is donating $5,000.00 as cash prizes for every OZCC. There
is also a travel fund of $500.00 each from 2 reps from Fiji, PNG, Solomon
Islands, Guam, New Zealand and Australia.
Mr.
Spiller is expecting 25 players from those countries to participate. He said
Roberto have to find a good hotel that will accommodate the players and free
use of tournament venue. The first hotel that comes to Roberto’s mind is the
Island Paradise Resort Club where the 2014 Micronesian Open was held and the
place was used for free. If they can give discounts to the players and free use
again of the place, it will be a good promotion for both parties.
In
the 2015 OZCC in Australia, Mr. Spiller is requesting Roberto and a woman
player to participate with travel subsidy and accommodation for only 2 players
from Palau. It will be also the perfect time to confirm Palau’s bid to host the
2017 OZCC. PCF President Erick Ksau Surangel Whipps will also be invited to
convince the organizers that Palau is ready for this occasion.
Those players who want to go (CM
Bernardo Garcia, Jose Celiz, Tito Cabunagan, Jeff Balbalosa, Dennis Gonzales,
Paz Ngiratechekii, Angie Parrado, Baby Edna Mission), must plan this early to pay
for their own airfares and accommodation like what CM Joselito Marcos did in
2009.
Palau
has gone high-tech now (although halfway) with the purchase of 3 digital
chessboards and 15 chess clocks that’s have been using now in Olympiads and
other international events.
Those
digital chessboards will be used only by top 6 players of Palau. It’s in the
process now of testing it for maximum results and will enhance the quality of
plays of Palau chess players.
Solution
to last week’s puzzle: 1. Nf6+! gxf6 2. Qg4+ Kh7 3. Rh1 mate.
This
week’s puzzle: White to move and mates in 3 (Solution next issue)
Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Page 10
Volume 23
Issue 74
September 15, 2014
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