(1650) AWARDING OF THE TOP 3 FINISHERS OF 2019 PRCC ON MARCH 31 (TBN-April 01, 2019)

NEWEST MEMBER OF PCF AND PMCC

                   Jeffrey Penoliar, right, is the newest chess enthusiast of Palau. We practice till 4 am last Saturday night, March 30 prior to the Awarding of the Top 3 Finishers of the recently concluded 2019 PRCC. He was baptized at the PMCC 3 weeks ago and we attended the Annual Thanksgiving before going for the awarding and mini blitz contest. In the middle is Bruce Soriano, one of the newest members of PCF watching the game between Manik Hossain and Jeffrey, who can speak a little Arabic and Bangladesh language.
                                        (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

    AWARDING OF THE TOP 3 FINISHERS OF

          2019 P.R.C.C. ON MARCH 31

As scheduled, the Awarding of the Top 3 Finishers of the 2019 Palau Rapid Chess Championship will be held on March 31, at Bethlehem Park.

             The last day is supposed to be finished on March 31 but because of the agreement of all the present players, it was held after the completion of the 8th round with Bobot Tan (with 8 points) adding another plum in his domination of Palau chess in the last 2 years. Angel Salvadora came in 2nd with 6.5 points, tied with Jeff Balbalosa, who defeated the previously unbeaten Bobot in the final round, he finished 3rd.

                The ever-improving Angie Sisior took the 4th place and Manuel Mahor finished at 5th after he defeated the surprising Jennifer Angeles, for her best ever finish in any Palau Rapid chess tournament--9th place.

              I won my last 3 games (vs. Mary Grace Capili, Jun Cabugao Mintar and Angie) to finished tied with Angie and Mahor (all with 6 points).Angelil Sisior and Samuel Palingcod finished 7th to 8th respectively. Tied at 9th-14th are Jennifer Tubtub, Jun Cabugao Mintar, Destiny Sisior, Manik Hossain, Jhoan Gemota and Paquito Suringa Jr.

              At solo 15th is Soriano Bruce followed by 6 players with 4 points each--16th-21st--Kyarii Sisior, Angelica Morales Magno, Capili, Michael Adette Gulla, my guitar/chess student Brandon Kyle Soriano and Rommel Ramon Gulla.At solo 22nd is Aome Angeles. At 23rd-27th are Mary Jane Bojo, Khol Sugiyama, Nobu Yano, Dave Cristobal and Wakako Sisior. Alone at 28th is Rustum Cabuso, who played 2 games only in the first week. At 29th -31st are Solomon Islands Carlos Santus Amo Sifix, Bin Robinson Luo Cabrera and Jedidia Marinas.

             I will prepare the 3 medals for Bobot, Angelo and Jeff on Sun. and after the awarding, the mini blitz chess contest will be held with $1.00 registration fee. If the contestants will reach 20, the cash prize of the champion will be $10.00, 2^nd place --$6.00 and 3^rd place--$4.00. The time control is 5 minutes + 3 seconds increment. It might be 7 or 9 round Swiss system.

        Eshan Kalyanikar, a new Indian reporter of Island Times would like to practice chess and I invited him to go to Bethlehem Park to see how chess is doing in Palau. Three employees of Palau Royal Resort are also hooked now in playing chess and will participate or observe how the top players of Palau play the game of kings. They are Janela Reyes, Jeffrey Penoliar and Joel Manalo from Purchasing Department. Pax, Jeffrey, Joel and me  practiced with time clock till 4 am. Jeffrey and Joel are amazed how fun it is to play with time clock. The time control being 5 min. + 3 seconds increment.

       It is the Annual Thanksgiving of Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ (4^th Watch) Palau Locale to be held on the same date (March 31) at VIP Hotel (former Arirang Restaurant). I invited all the participants in the mini blitz contest to have lunch there and then proceed to Bethlehem Park which is just across the road.

       At about 1:45 pm, while I am loading the keyboard to my car, I saw Bobot on his way to Bethlehem Park. I invited him to have lunch at VIP Conference Room but he said he ate already. While practicing, some players asked if there is still lunch available (it's 3 pm then) but I said no more. We rented the place from 10 am -- 2 pm. 

       Solution to last week’s original puzzle by CM Joselito Marcos (dedicated to his 

wife's 61st birthday on March 30, 2019) 1. Qg5!! hxg5 2. Bxg5 Bb7 3. Re8#

         This week’s another original puzzle No. 1 composed in Feb. 15, 2019: White to move and mates in 2                         (Solution next issue)

Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
               Tia Belau Newspaper
               Page 9
               Volume 28
               Issue 22
               April 01, 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 -- April 01, 2019

              The History of Chess in Palau
              By Roberto Hernandez
              June 09, 2002 -- April 01, 2019