(1621) BOBOT TAN--PALAU'S KING OF CHESS IN THE LAST 2 YEARS (Classical, Rapid and Blitz)

BOBOT TAN --

Palau's King of Chess

in the last 2 years

(Classical, Rapid, Blitz)

There is changing of the guards in Palau Chess History when Bobot Tan (Santiago Tan, Jr.) came to Palau more than 2 years ago.

I remember setting a date of practice with him at Bethlehem Park and we practice blitz while his wife and newly born baby boy is watching. 

I can feel the talent oozing with him in fast time control and is very proud to have him in Palau to upgrade the quality of games in a tiny nation of 20,000 population.

Since then, he participated in all Palau major tournaments and catapult himself at the top with only a couple of FIDE rating points separated him from perennial Palau No. 1 Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr.

With him being the top seed and topping the 2019 Palau Blitz Chess Championship held in Jan. 27, the supremacy continues....

 1st round pairings features my guitar/chess student Brandon Kyle Soriano, 2nd from left, vs. my teammate in 2018 Batumi, Goergia Chess Olympiad Joan Gemota. Jeff Balbalosa, right, my teammate in the 2016 Baku, Azerbaijan Chess Olympiad is up against youngster Kyarii Sisior.

Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
               Tia Belau Newspaper
               December 26, 2002 -- January 31, 2019

               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 -- January 31, 2019

               The History of Chess in Palau
               By Roberto Hernandez 
               June 09, 2002 -- January 31, 2019