THE PALAU CHESS TEAM IN THE 1st ROUND OF 2016
WCO IN BAKU, AZERBAIJAN
L-R:
Dennis Gonzales (Board 5/Reserve), Roberto Hernandez (Team Capt./Bd. 4), Jeff
Balbalosa (Bd. 3), Allan Alcid(Bd. 2), CM Joselito Marcos (Head of Delegation
and Team Captain when I’m playing) and Paquito Suringa, Jr. (Bd. 1) with PCF
President Eric Ksau Whipps (Delegate) taking this photo. (Photo by Eric Ksau Surangel Whipps)
2017 PALAU BLITZ CHESS
CHAMPIONSHIP ON APRIL 30
AND MAY 07
During the 2nd Board Members meeting of Palau
Chess Federation on April 10, 2017, it was decided to hold the 2nd
tourney of the year on April 30 and May 07—the 2017 Palau Blitz Chess
Championship. This two-week Blitz Chess Championship will be held for 2 Sundays
only (Nov. 30 and May 7) at Ernguul Park (formerly Bethlehem Park).
Registration
fee is peg at $10.00 for those players who have paid their 1-year membership
fee--$20.00. Every participant must be fully paid with their 1-year membership
fee to be able to participate. The “No Pay, No Play” policy of PCF will be
implemented.
The
time format is 5 minutes for each player to finish the game with 3 seconds
increment. It will be a round-robin format if the participants are only 10 and
Swiss System if it is 14 or more.
Three
medals will be awarded to the Top 3 finishers wherein the next PCF Board
Meeting will be held after the awarding ceremony.
This
is the 2nd tourney to be held by PCF after the very successful
Lightning/Bullet Chess Tilt in February 26 where 16 players (old and new)
participated.
Those
players are all invited in this longer time control event: Gonzalo Escapatoria,
Jr., Angelica Magno, Rustum Cabuso, Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr., Angelo Salvadora,
Francois, Thomas, Angie Parrado, Tito Cabunagan, Jeff Balbalosa, Manuel Mahor,
Jr., Destiny Sisior, Angelil Sisior, Baby Edna Mission, Glen Navarroza, Gladys
Anne Paloma, Joan Gemota, etc.
Dennis Gonzales and Paquito Suringa, Jr. will
not be available because of varying reasons. New member player like Wilson Barrameda,
inactive Neph Macasaet and other interested players are also invited. Elizalde
Madrinan of Palau Royal Resort will be having a 21-day vacation this month and
will not be available for this event.
This
year’s USA Chess Championship has been the toughest ever in history. Caruana
and Nakamura still have mathematical chances of topping the event should ‘fate’
conspired with both winning their last round game and the 3 co-leaders So,
Akobian and Onischuk all loses. This is highly probable but likely possible
(whatever that means).
Crazy
or what? Wesley consented to a draw by repetition with Narodisky in just 14
moves in just a little over 10 minutes of play! This leaves the fate of the
title in the hands of Akobian and Onischuk. Akobian may pull it off if Nakamura
blunders in a position that suited him best.
Wesley
will surely receive a lot of criticism after this. He was willing to end up 3rd.
He chose to preserve his unbeaten streak, never mind if he will be called
chicken. His decision will put pressure on Akobian and Onischuk to play all out
for a win if they wish to win the title outright. So remains No. 2 in the live
rating as he lost 6.6 points. Kramnik is now No. 3 with just 4.4 behind.
IT’S
A PLAYOFF BETWEEN SO AND ONISCHUK AS AKOBIAN LOST TO NAKAMURA!
Wesley, white, had just won the first rapid game playoff
vs. Onischuk in 31 moves of English Opening. He needed only a draw to win the
USA Championship—and he did!
Wesley
So is the new USA Champion! After a tough draw in the 2nd rapid
playoff in 62 moves of Reti/Catalan Opening, wherein So is down by 2 pawns in
the endgame. After an inaccurate 54th move by Onischuk, So played
like a machine demonstrating the draw that made his victory sweeter.
CM
Joselito Marcos is hoping that So will not become over-cautious because of his
rating. If he does, his game will stagnate and his results will suffer. Should
he top the forthcoming Gashimov Memorial in Shamkir, Azerbaijan starting April
20, it will truly raise his chess stocks.
Solution
to last week’s puzzle No. 3861: 1. Qc8+!! Rxc8 2. Rxc8+ Nb8 3. Rxb8#
This
week’s puzzle No. 3862: White to move and mates in 3 (Solution next issue)
Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Pages 9 & 11
Volume 26
Issue 30
April 17, 2017
Chess and Music (Perfect Combination)
The Beginning of Chess in Palau
By Roberto Hernandez
Soon to be published as a book
Music and Me by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
March 15, 2012--April 18, 2013
http://palau-chess.blogspot.com
April 25, 2013--April 17, 2017
The History of Chess in Palau
By Roberto Hernandez
June 09, 2002 -- April 17, 2017
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