(1606) HALFWAY TO THE 2018 PNCC; BOBOT STILL UNDEFEATED (TBN-Dec. 03, 2018)

: CHESS AND PIANO WITH NICK AND MARCO

                    Nick Nehez missed the 2018 PNCC Junior Division participation due to his attending the junior diving course during the first 4 weeks of PNCC. He is now a certified junior diver. He has a pet cat named Marco that posed at the piano and at the endgame part of my teaching course in chess a few months ago.                    (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

   HALFWAY TO THE 2018 P.N.C.C;

       BOBOT STILL UNDEFEATED

2^nd Seed Bobot Tan dealt Tito Cabunagan his first loss in the 5^th round of 2018 Palau National Chess Championship held at Ernguul Park on Nov. 25 to gain solo leadership when Paquito ‘Pax’ Suringa, Jr. dealt Angelo Salvadora his first loss as well in a game held at the former residence.

                 Cyril Tomas Almitante-Montel snapped the 3-game winning streak of Manuel Mahor; Paquito Suringa Jr. dealt Angel Salvadora his first loss in a match played at the former's residence; Dennis Gonzales didn't show up to give Gonzalo Escapatoria a default win; Charley Patris suffrered another setback at the hands of Jeff Balbalosa; Glen Navarroza (Osman M Marte) and Angelito Mintar, Jr. drew their game in a marathon 69 moves;

                   Samuel Palingcod clobbered Reece Reklai; Neph Macasaet collected his 2nd point by nipping Manik Hossain in a shorter time control on Nov. 18 after the completion of the 4th rd.; Remrel Dizon didn't show up and give a whole point to Jello Aguaras and I won over Morton Sawaichi in just 18 moves. I uploaded Magnus Carlsen apps to Morton's cell phone so that he can have more practice session with it.

                  ROUND 6 PAIRINGS ON DEC. 2 (First name to play the white pieces)

Bobot vs. Jojo 2. Pax vs. Cyril 3. Jeff vs. Jun 4. Dennis vs. Angel 5. Angelito vs. Tito 6. Sam vs. Glen 7. Me vs. Neph 8. Charley vs. Jello 9. Manik vs. Remrel and Reece vs. Morton.

                  In the women's division, Angelil Sisior touted Angel Magno in 35 moves of Sicilian Defense; Prior to that, Angelil won over her younger sister Destiny Sisior in 33 moves of Sicilian Defense in a game held at their residence. 

Angie Parrado is still in a perfect start after she defeated Palau's No. 2 woman chess player Baby Edna Mission in just 18 moves of French Defense. In the only game of the junior division, Gian Gabriel Claronino is on track to win his first major title with a conquest of Kyarii Sisior in 48 moves of Queen’s Pawn Opening.

Bobot and Jojo played their game at Pax residence and Bobot keeps his unbeaten record intact win a victory over Jojo in 42 moves. Likewise, Tito Cabunagan and Angelito Mintar, Jr. played their game with Tito prevailing.

          I was the Guest Speaker in the PMA Chess in School 3^rd Batch on Nov. 28 at 2:15-3:00 pm. There are 14 participants in this batch with 2 Taiwanese—Derbai, Chioko Yang and Kuo Yu Hsuan, 2 Chinese—Liao, Xiancheng and Liu, Yi Lang, 2 Filipinos—Miclat, Mariah Coline and Osada, Aya, a Korean—Shin, Sowon, a Filipino-Bangladeshi—Islam, Jannah and 6 Palauans—Rechucher, Diana; Renguul, Joram; Roberto, Neil; Senior, Alik Jared; Sumang, Kikuo and my chess/piano student Tmetuchl, Dichem.

                They will be having a blitz chess tournament this December so I am preparing the single round-robin Swiss Perfect format for this.

                After missing the last 3 rounds of 2018 PNCC, Jennifer Angeles and her son Aome will play this coming Sunday, Dec. 2. She will be playing first Joan Gemota at 1pm and another game later to catch up. Aome had played only one game so far. Kyarii, Gian Gabriel, Michael and Rommel are waiting.

                Solution to last week’s puzzle No. 3493: 1. Kd6! If 1. …Kxb6 or Nd3, then 2. Nc6#

                This week’s puzzle No. 3494: White to move and mates in 2 (Solution next issue)

Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez

               Tia Belau Newspaper

               Page 9

               Volume 27

               Issue 96

               December 03, 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 -- December 03, 2018

               The History of Chess in Palau

               By Roberto Hernandez

               June 09, 2002 -- December 03, 2018