MOHAMMAD MANIK HOSSAIN
TO
OCEANIA ZONAL CHESS
CHAMPIONSHIP
AND
TOKYO MARATHON
FIRST TIME MANIK BEATS TITO
(In Practice or Tournament Game)
Mohammad Manik Hossain, right, is a funny guy as well as his blitz practice opponent Tito Cabunagan, left, during this opening day of 2018 Palau National Chess Championship. Only one official game was played (Jennifer Angeles vs. Angelica Magno 0-1) as there are not enough players who have their registration fees settled. As many as 4 players in the Open section need to pay first before being allowed to play in this 9-round Swiss system format. The Women and Junior division will have a round-robin.
(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)
MANIK TO 2019 OCEANIA ZONAL CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP IN GUAM
AND TO TOKYO MARATHON
Mohammad Manik Hossain should have been my teammate in the 2012 World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey but when his employer allowed him to go at the last 2 weeks before the team departs, it's too late for him to be with the team of me at Board 1, Elizabeth Manuel at 2, Bernardo Garcia at 3 and Elizabeth's husband Menandro at Board 4.
Because of that, we don't have a reserve player and we played all 11 rounds in that Olympiad. But in spite of being swept by Qatar, Iraq and Maldives in the first 3 rounds, Garcia drew his 4th round game vs. Hong Kong, won the next 3 to get the first ever title of Palau- a Candidate Master title for Bernard.
Since that disappointing incident, Manik became inactive in regular, blitz or rapid chess tournaments despite my pursuing him to join in the 2014 WCO in Tromso, Norway where Palau had an Open and Women team.
He also showed no interest in joining the Palau Open team to 2016 World Chess Olympiad in Baku, Azerbaijan. And still inactive for the whole year of 2017.
But in early 2018 (Feb. 18 to be exact), he showed up and participated in the 2018 Palau Blitz Chess Championship.
In April 22, 2018 he slugged it out with Bobot Tan and Leif Toribiong during the mini-blitz chess tourney held at Bethlehem Park.
In October 21, 2018, it is supposed to be the 1st round of 2018 PNCC but 4 players haven't completed their registration fee (and one year membership fee) to make it as an 18-player Swiss system in the Open division. They are Charley Patris, Glen Navarroza, Jello Aguaras and Morton Sawaichi.
While the only game is being played, Manik talk to me about him joining the 2019 Oceania Zonal Chess Championship in Tumon, Guam on Feb. 17-24. He also told me that it may be a good time to go to Tokyo Marathon after the Zonal.
HE SAID OUT OF 330,000 APPLICANTS FOR THE TOKYO MARATHON, ONLY 37,000 WERE INVITED TO JOIN. AND HE IS THE ONLY ONE INVITED FROM PALAU!!!
On Oct. 26, 2018, I have an appointment to Dr. Wendy Capili for my Lipid Profile, blood sugar test and blood pressure. I had a medical check-up in Philippines after coming back from participating in the 2018 World Chess Olympiad in Batumi, Georgia where Palau have for the first time a WFM title in Angie Parrado and a Candidate Master title to Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. -- Palau's top chess player in the last 9 years.
I talked to her and asked, "Is Manik part of your team that run around Palau to get the mileage to cover around the world?" It's because I saw him in the photo with Bro. Aaron Salvador.
She said she suggested Manik to join the lottery to pick a runner from Palau for Tokyo Marathon so that a runner should be represented in all countries in the world. She doesn't like to join because she just attended the Chicago Marathon a few months ago.
I helped Manik on how to get USA visa especially that he had a Japan visa already for the Tokyo Marathon. He said they don't like to give it at that time because it will expire when he comes to Tokyo on March 3, 2019. I said just get a copy of it and show it to the interviewer. It happens that the interviewer is Jennifer Nehez, the mother of my chess/piano student Nicholas. She is also the one that interviewed me in Feb. 2018 when I've got a 10-year USA visa.
Because Manik has been to Palau for 13 years, with Japan 3-month visa for the 2019 Tokyo Marathon, he was able to get a 5-year USA visa and he confirms to Eric Ksau Surangel Whipps that he is definitely going to 2019 Oceania Zonal Chess Championship in Feb. 17-24 and will proceed immediately to Tokyo to prepare for the marathon to acclimatize himself for the prestigious event.
Dr. Capili said that Manik can get a cheap and small apartment or brothel which is always available for those who want to save for accommodation.
I just learned from WFM Angelica Parrado yesterday, Dec. 09, 2018 that top seed Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. was denied USA visa because he applied together with his wife and 2 kids. He said they will have a one week vacation in Guam in time of 2019 OZCC. It's not a wise thing to do. He should apply only for himself. He's got a Schengen visa when he was one of the 11-member Palau team in the 2014 World Chess Olympiad in Tromso, Norway and a Georgian visa for his participation in the 2018 WCO in Batumi, Georgia with the 14-member delegation of Palau to that Olympiad where he gained his Candidate Master (CM) in the 9th round of that Olympiad. Angie got his WCM title in the 7th round and the WFM title in the 11th and final round.
Manik participated in the ongoing 2018 Palau National Chess Championship (Open Division) that started in Nov. 28 and lost in the first round to Angelo Salvadora.
 |
| Manik lost again in the 3rd round to Jeff Balbalosa. |
 |
| MANIK VS. REECE REKLAI --- DRAW BY STALEMATE!!! ROUND 4 |
There is a loud commotion during his game with youngster Reece Reklai. They called me while I am playing with Dennis Gonzales to check the position of their game. IT'S A STALEMATE!!! And thereby a draw. Manik has an a pawn and a king while Reece has a lone king.
HIS NEXT OPPONENT IN ROUND 8 IS Glen Navarroza.
Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
December 29, 2002 -- October 25, 2018
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 -- October 25, 2018
The History of Chess in Palau
By Roberto Hernandez
June 09, 2002 -- October 25, 2018
No comments:
Post a Comment