(1205) Week 3 of 2007-2008 RAPID CHESS TILT (TBN-Dec. 07-13, 2007)

             Week 3 of 2007-2008 RAPID CHESS TILT

A FEW DAYS before Christmas, some players still have found time to play as many games as they can in the resumption of 2007-2008 Rapid Chess Tournament at Jean’s Boutique and Store or at Palau Royal Resort in the 3^rd week of the event.

                Koror State Legal Counsel Craig Dittrich trounced PRR Paul Garcia at Dormitory 1 of PRR while venue host Gene Pastrana lost to frontrunner Tony Villa at Jean’s Boutique and Store. Ashibi Restaurant cook Jose Omega was swept by Villa but he scored a victory over PRR’s Dennis Lara.

                NM Menandro ‘Boy’ Manuel subdued another PRR player Jaime Guevarra, the 2^nd runner-up in the 2007 Palau Royal Resort Rating Chess Tourney, while newcomer Joeven delos Santos was swept by the ever-improving Dittrich, who prefers longer time control.

                Andres ‘Aying’ Mestizo II is the latest addition to the ever-growing chess enthusiasts that’s willing to test their mettle against stronger opposition.

                Dennis Gonzales felt the sting of the moves of blitz chess specialist Villa and was overwhelmed by the oozing talent from the former student of Philippine National Master Allan Saysot. According to Villa, when he and NM Saysot are playing blitz chess, the odd is-- he will have 5 minutes to Saysot’s 2 minutes and it takes many hours of practice before he can score a draw or a win over the seasoned master. When he finally defeated him, NM Saysot gave him a chess set.

                Another newcomer, Michael Mercado from Aqua Water, showed a lot of potential in giving NM Manuel Nedic a lot of what he can squeeze off before halving the point in their first game and emerged victorious in their 2^nd game while Dittrich dropped a point to Pastrana, whom he had beaten in their first game. Dittrich suffered 2 more setbacks at the hands of Villa.

                Jose Omega and Roberto Hernandez, resident musician of PRR, played their 2 games at Palau Royal Resort Dormitory 1. The ‘home court’ advantage favors Hernandez as he swept Omega convincingly with a small crowd watching their games.

Solution to last week’s puzzle No. 3805: 1. Rg1+!! Keeping the queen out of action for the final blow… Qxg1 2. Qf5+ Kh4 3. Qh5 mate. With the queen still at h2, black can escape mate with 2. … Kh6.

This week’s puzzle No. 3806: White to move and mates in 3 (Solution next issue)  

Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez

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