(184) FUN IN BLITZ CHESS

PALAU'S TOP CHESS PLAYERS OF 2007
National Master Menandro Manuel, right, has been Palau's top chess player in the last 2 years. Beside him is his fellow NM Manny Nedic, who became Palau's first National Master when they capture the 2006 National Chess Championship. Tony Villa, 3rd from right, is now the top contender to dislodge the two NMs and now ruling blitz chess where he excels. His nemesis, and another blitz chess specialist, Edwin Eti is playing against no. 3 Cyril Montel, Jr. Venue host Gene Pastrana is currently no. 8. Completing the top 10 are no. 2 Jose Omega, no. 4 Roberto Hernandez, no. 9 Dennis Gonzales and no. 10 Joel Azana.                                                         (Contributed photo for Island Times by Roberto Hernandez)


                FUN IN BLITZ CHESS

IN JANUARY 2004, the Knights and Rooks Chess Club organized the first blitz chess tourney in the middle of 2004 Non-master chess tournament held at Tri-M General Merchandise in Malakal.

The organizers make their own rules in their blitz chess tilt. The touch move rule does not apply. The event is like anything goes as long as you haven't press your time clock yet.

The eventual champion of the non-master tourney, Jess Toldoya, suffered the most brutal loss by moving his dark-colored bishop to a white square that cost him the game where it should have been replayed to where the violation was made.

The blitz tournament was won by Roberto Hernandez. Palau's top player Menandro Manuel of Surangel, finished in second place and Toldoya didn't participate again in blitz contest except when former World Chess Federation (FIDE) President Florencio Campomanes visited Palau in May 11-14, 2006.

The 80-year old Honorary President of FIDE won the 8-player blitz chess tourney held on the eve of his departure with only a draw allowed, against Palau's first National Master Manny Nedic.

In that tournament, local players were told that touch move rules also apply in blitz chess competition.

Italian tourist Andrea Buriani won a one-day blitz chess tourney in August 01, 2004 where he dominated all the local players with a perfect record.

In a blitz chess tilt held at Jean's Boutique and Store, Hernandez is playing the black pieces against Manuel in the endgame struggle and the latter promoted his pawn to a queen and put on the board the black queen instead of his white queen.

With humor and technicality in his mind, Hernandez move the black queen, which cause Manuel to panic and change it with his white queen where technically he is the one who put the black queen on the board.

Hernandez lost that game and just 2 weeks ago, the same situation happened to him against Manny Nedic where he moved a captured bishop that Nedic accidentally put on the board instead of putting it beside the chessboard.

Hernandez also lost that game but won the tourney over the favored blitz specialist Tony Villa.

Anything happens during a blitz game so some players still carry on despite the big disadvantages like the game between venue host Gene Pastrana and Manuel where the latter had an overwhelming advantage of King, Queen and a knight against Pastana's lone king. Overconfidence cost Manuel half a point as Pastrana was stalemated and was able to draw.

That draw cost Manuel the title and small cash as he was unable to catch up with Villa in the end.

In the same tourney, Cyril Montel, Jr. had the same advantages over Hernandez but it's a bishop instead of a knight. In his last move, Hernandez, in extreme time pressure, moved his king on a square where it can be captured by Montel, Jr.'s bishop and press his clock.

Montel, Jr. captured Hernandez' king to end the game but after analyzing the position, Hernandez reiterated that the game ended in a draw before his last move as it is a stalemate position.

A lot more fun and excitements have happened and will happen again during a blitz chess competition. Some classical Grandmasters and afficionados of the game said that participating in blitz tournaments will lessen a player's patience in the game. But today's world championship's format include a 3-game sudden-death playoff games format of rapid and blitz chess.

WHATEVER THEY SAY, RAPID AND BLITZ CHESS ADD SPICE TO THE GAME.


Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
            Tia Belau Newspaper
            May 25-31, 2007

(110) AN ITALIAN CHESS TALE (TBN-Jan. 07-14, 20050

On August 01, 2004, an Italian tourist won the one-day blitz chess tourney organized by Knights and Rooks Chess Club at Filco Thrift Mart in Malakal.

Before going back to Italy, Mr. Andrea Buriani and his wife Stefania had dinner at Image Restaurant where Roberto Hernandez played Italian songs for them and discussed Mr. Buriani's experience of playing chess in Italy.

His wife generously offered to send Roberto Hernandez some newer CDs of Italian songs that he received two months later with a letter and email addresses.

Hernandez emailed to thank them and also to inform Mr. Buriani that the next World Chess Olympiad will be held in Torino, Italy in 2006.

THE FOLLOWING IS HIS EMAIL REPLY:

Dear Roberto, Hi! Sorry for the delay of my reply (and for my terrible English writing, of course!), but I had some trouble with my email account. If you may, please send your next mails also to stefania.dalrio@monrigroup.net   stefania_dalrio@ilrestodelcarlino.it

aburiani@libero.it   aburiani@supereva.it

So, I hope to reply a little bit soon!

I'm very glad to know that chess activities are going up and increasing in Palau. I think also that Eddie (Grefiel) could have a very bad time with you. Maybe Palau will have a new rapid champion next year...

Nowadays, Italian chess team is not really strong. I know...yes of course I know Torino. It is in the north of Italy, near France, not to close to Bologna, the city where I live, but really not so far (about 350 kilometers of 200 miles).

Sure, I will go there for one day in 2006 to assist to Olympiads. I really, really hope to see Palau chess team playing Chess Olympics there!

Torino is quite a nice city. If you come here, you will see a typical historical European town. You will also see real Alps snow here, and you will ski in very beautiful places, if you dare!

So, by the way, what is the matter with International Chess Federation (FIDE)? Do you think they will accept soon Palau as independent chess federation?

Obviously, I'm also very glad you have mentioned me in your chess column. I would like a lot to read about it. If you may, please, you could send me by mail the image of the article, or also the simple text.

I'm always really very glad to think about my time in Palau. I had a very good time there, not just for the chess stuff, but mostly because I met nice and gentle people like you and other friends.

I hope to hear soon some Palau news!

Bye bye for now!

Andrea Buriani

On Christmas day, Eddie Grefiel paid a visit to Hernandez in his staff house and discussed chess. Grefiel's early stage in learning chess is quite similar to what was experienced by former world chess champion Robert James Fischer of the United States who subordinated everything for chess.

Grefiel's brother and friends refused to play against him then because he was not good enough for them. Challenged, he stayed in his room for hours studying chess openings and endgames and later, the middle game.

He went out of the room just to eat and resumed his study. After three months, he beat his brother and his friends. There was no turning back. He represented his school to a regional championship which he won.

On January 02, Roberto's 49th birthday, Grefiel visited him again and they played 10-minute blitz games most of which he won. Bong Alipoon came to visit Hernandez' neighbors and played alternately with them until 10:00 pm. He scored only one win  over Grefiel in more that 10 games.

Grefiel's advise to all chess players: (the same as Viktor Korchnoi's and Josh Waltskin's advise)  " STUDY MORE ENDGAMES THAN OPENINGS. "

Source: 

Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez

Tia Belau Newspaper 

  January 07-17, 2005

(65) CHESSMATE 39 TOURIST WINS SPEED CHESS TILT

ITALIAN TOURIST Andrea Buriani won the one-day speed (Blitz) chess tourney participated in by six players after the completion of the 4th round of the 2004 Open Chess tournament held on Sunday, August 01 at Filco Thrift Mart in Malakal sponsored and hosted by Nestor Canaria, who is also managing the adjacent Secrets Snack Bar, Internet Cafe and Gift Shop.

Buriani, 38, who is touring Palau and Yap, scored a perfect 5 points to win the half of the collected $5.00 from each player as registration fee. The other half was spent on drinks of the other participants that included 3 former champions (Eddie Grefiel, Menandro Manuel and Roberto Hernandez).

The other participants were newcomer Joel Azana and veteran Jimmy Valenzuela.

The speed chess tourney was organized to accomodate Buriani, who was available to play only for one-day event. The time control was 10 minutes for each player to finish the game. Touch move rule does not apply but after a player pressed his clock, a move became final. A player may not win via time forfeit if he didn't have enough material to checkmate his opponent. A player must always say the word "check" every time he attack his opponent's king.

It was a single round-robin where the drawn numbers fitted number one against no. 2; 3 vs. 4 and 5 vs. 6. Players who draw odd numbers played the white pieces.

The critical stage of the tilt was in the 4th round where Buriani and Manuel scored 3 straight victories. After defeating Manuel, Buriani only need to beat Valenzuela, whom he had defeated when Valenzuela's clock expired.

In the first game of the regular tournament, Ivan II Chess Computer crushed Mariano Agustin, Jr.; Hernandez clobbered Den Canaria in 65 moves of a Danish Gambit; Azana upset Jess Toldoya to make it to the Class A; Valenzuela also made it to Class A with a win over Agustin, Jr.

Edward Agravante's entry to Class A was stalled by Ivan II Chess Computer. He needs to win his last round match against Bong Alipoon to qualify; Grefiel mated Cyril Montel, Jr.; Agustin, Jr. won by default over Morton Sawaichi and Alipoon drew with Grefiel by agreement.

FINAL ROUND PAIRINGS OF CLASSIFICATION: (First name to play white) --

Agravante vs. Alipoon; Ivan II Chess Computer vs. Canaria; Sawaichi vs. Hernandez and Toldoya vs. Agustin, Jr.

After the completion of final round, tiebreak will be used to determine the remaining qualifiers. The Sonnenborn Berger and Solkoff systems of tiebreak will be applied.

Half of the participants are suggesting that a $15.00 additional fee for Class A qualifiers will be added for cash prizes of the top 4 finishers and Ivan II Chess Computer will only compete in Class B.

The tournament chairman (Hernandez) will bring all the chess books that he has on the final day of classification. Members of Knights and Rooks Chess Club can borrow those books for 2 weeks for free. Non-members can borrow a book for $2.00 for 2 weeks.

Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez

   Tia Belau Newspaper  

 August 06-13, 2004

(17) 2004 OPEN CHESS TOURNAMENT

2004 OPEN CHESS TOURNAMENT

July 11 – October 03, 2004

Sponsored by: Nestor Canaria (Cash Prizes & Trophies)

Venue: Filco Thrift Mart, Malakal, Koror, Palau

FINAL STANDINGS

Class A

                                                               Rating            Win   Loss   Draw       Total

1.      EDDIE GREFIEL                           1954                6        1         1             6.5

2.      ROBERTO HERNANDEZ            1885                5        2         1             5.5

3.      JIMMY VALENZUELA                1739               4        2        2              5

4.      JESS TOLDOYA                            1811               3        1        4              5

5.      MENANDRO MANUEL               1864                3        4         1             3.5

6.      BONG ALIPOON                          1676                3        4         1             3.5

7.      IVAN II CHESS COMPUTER      1991                3        5         0             3

8.      CYRIL MONTEL, JR.                   1804                2        5         1             2.5

9.      JOEL AZANA                                1500                1        6         1             1.5

                                                               Class B

                                                              Rating             Win   Loss   Draw       Total

1.      JOSE OMEGA                              1718                 8        4         0               8

2.      MARIANO AGUSTIN, JR.          1640                 7        5         0              7

3.      DEN CANARIA                            1500                 3       5         4               5

4.      DENNIS GONZALES                   1500                 4        6         2               5

5.      JERRY SERMENO                       1500                 4        8         0              4

6.      MORTON SAWAICHI                 1500                 3        9         0              3

7.      IVAN II CHESS COMPUTER      1991                 9        1         2             10

ROUND 1 (Classification)

July 11, 2004

1. Menandro Manuel v Jose Omega (1-0) 2. Roberto Hernandez vs. Bong Alipoon (0-1)

3. Cyril Montel, Jr. vs. Mariano Agustin, Jr. (1-0)  4. Jess Toldoya vs. Morton Sawaichi (1-0)  5. Den Canaria vs. Jimmy Valenzuela (1-0)

ROUND 2                                                                     July 18, 2004

1. Joel Azana vs. Cyril Montel, Jr. (0-1)  2. Jose Omega vs. Eddie Grefiel (0-1)

3. Eddie Grefiel vs. Jess Toldoya (1-0)  4. Morton Sawaichi vs. Joel Azana (0-1)

5. Menandro Manuel vs. Roberto Hernandez (0-1)  6. Den Canaria vs. Jose Omega (0-1)

7. Menandro Manuel vs. Ivan II (1-0)  8. Jimmy Valenzuela vs. Joel Azana (1-0)

9. Bong Alipoon vs. Cyril Montel, Jr. (1-0) 10. Edward Agravante vs. Eddie Grefiel (0-1)

11. Joel Azana vs. Den Canaria (1-0)  12. Edward Agravante vs. Jimmy Valenzuela (1-0)

White: Menandro Manuel                                            July 18, 2004

Black: Roberto Hernandez

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 0-0 6. Be3 Nbd7 7. Qd2 c5 8. Nge2 cxd4 9. Nxd4 Nb6 10. h4 h5 11. Be2 Kh7 12. 0-0 Bd7 13. Rac1 Rc8 14. b3 a6 15. a4 Ng8 16. a5 Na8 17. Nd5 e6 18. Nb6 Nxb6 19. axb6 Qxh4 20. Bg5 Bxd4+ 21. Qxd4 Qxg5 22. Qxd6 Qe3+ 23. Kh2 Bc6 24. Rc2 Qxb3 25. Bd1 Qxb6 26. Qa3 Qd4 27. Be2 Rfd8 28. c5 Nf6 29. Qa5 h4 30. Kh1 Qe5 31. Rc4 Nh5 32. Kg1 Bb5 33. e4 Nxf4 34. Qe1 Nxe2+ 35. Qxe2 Bxc4 36. Qxc4 Qd4+ 37. Qxd4 Rxd4 38. Rxf7+ Kh6 39. Rxb7 Rxc5 40. Rb6 Rxe4 41. Rxa6 Rc2 42. Ra5 h3 43. g3 Re1#           0-1

ROUND 3                                                                    July 25, 2004

1. Cyril Montel, Jr. vs. Jose Omega (1-0)  2. Jose Omega vs. Roberto Hernandez (1-0)

3. Jess Toldoya vs. Bong Alipoon (1-0) 4. Menandro Manuel vs. Edward Agravante (0-1)

5. Morton Sawaichi vs. Ivan II 6. Jimmy Valenzuela vs. Menandro Manuel (1-0)

ROUND 4                                                                   August 01, 2004

1. Ivan II vs. Mariano Agustin, Jr. (1-0)  2. Eddie Grefiel vs. Cyril Montel, Jr. (1-0)

3. Mariano Agustin, Jr. vs. Jimmy Valenzuela (0-1) 4. Roberto Hernandez vs. Den Canaria (1-0)  5. Edward Agravante vs. Ivan II (0-1)  6. Joel Azana vs. Jess Toldoya (1-0)

7. Bong Alipoon vs Eddie Grefiel (Draw) 8. Mariano Agustin vs. Morton Sawaichi (1-0)*

INVITATIONAL BLITZ CHESS TOURNEY

August 01, 2004

Single Round Robin

FINAL STANDINGS

                Players                                                        Win   Loss   Draw      Total

1. ANDREA BURIANI (Italy)                             5       0         0              5
2. MENANDRO MANUEL                                 3        1        1              3.5
3. EDDIE GREFIEL                                             3        2        0              3
4. ROBERTO HERNANDEZ                              1        3        1              1.5
5. JOEL AZANA                                                  1        3       1               1.5
6. JIMMY VALENZUELA                                 0        4        1               .5

ROUND 5 (Final Round – Classification)

August 08, 2004

1. Morton Sawaichi vs. Roberto Hernandez (0-1)  2. Ivan II vs. Den Canaria (1-0)

3. Edward Agravante v Bong Alipoon (0-1)* 4. Jess Toldoya v M. Agustin, Jr. (Draw)*

FINAL STANDINGS (Classification)

Class A

                                                                                  Win   Loss   Draw      Total

1. EDDIE GREFIEL                                           4        0         1            4.5
2. IVAN II CHESS COMPUTER                      4        1         0            4
3. BONG ALIPOON                                          3        1         1            3.5
4. JIMMY VALENZUELA                               3        2         0            3
5. CYRIL MONTEL, JR.                                   3        2         0            3
6. JOEL AZANA                                               3        2         0            3
7. ROBERTO HERNANDEZ                           3        2         0            3
8. JESS TOLDOYA                                           2        2         1            2.5
9. MENANDRO MANUEL                              2        3         0            2

                                                                  Class B

1. JOSE OMEGA                                                      2        3          0            2

2. MARIANO AGUSTIN, JR.                                  1        3          1            1.5

3. DEN CANARIA                                                    1        4          0            1

4. MORTON SAWAICHI                                         0        5          0            0

5. EDWARD AGRAVANTE                                    2        3          0            2

        (Withdraw- Go on Vacation)

ROUND 1 (Class A)                                                     August 15, 2004

1. Ivan II vs. Joel Azana (1-0)  2. Menandro Manuel vs. Cyril Montel, Jr. (1-0)                 3. Eddie Grefiel vs. Ivan II (1-0)  4. Joel Azana vs. Roberto Hernandez (1-0)

5. Jess Toldoya vs. Jimmy Valenzuela (0-1)  6. Cyril Montel, Jr. vs. Eddie Grefiel (0-1)

ROUND 1 (Class B)                                                    August 15, 2004

1. Jose Omega vs. Jerry Sermeno (1-0)  2. Jerry Sermeno vs. Jose Omega (1-0)

3. Morton Sawaichi vs. Jerry Sermeno (0-1) 4. Jerry Sermeno vs. Morton Sawaichi (0-1)

ROUND 2 (Class A)                                                   August 22, 2004

1. Ivan II vs. Menandro Manuel (1-0)  2. Roberto Hernandez vs. Bong Alipoon (1-0)

3. Bong Alipoon vs. Jimmy Valenzuela (Draw) 4. Menandro Manuel vs. Jimmy Valenzuela (0-1)

ROUND 2 (Class B)                                                  August 22, 2004

1. Mariano Agustin, Jr. v Jose Omega (1-0) 2. Jose Omega vs. Mariano Agustin, Jr. (1-0)

3. Jerry Sermeno vs. Den Canaria (1-0)  4. Den Canaria vs. Mariano Agusitn, Jr. (0-1)

5. Mariano Agustin, Jr. vs. Morton Sawaichi (1-0) 6. Morton Sawaichi vs. Mariano Agustin, Jr. (1-0)

ROUND 3 (Class A)                                                 August 29, 2004

1. Eddie Grefiel vs. Menandro Manuel (1-0)  2. Jess Toldoya vs. Eddie Grefiel (Draw)

3. Menandro Manuel vs. Joel Azana (1-0)  4. Eddie Grefiel vs. Bong Alipoon (1-0)

5. Jimmy Valenzuela vs. Joel Azana (Draw)  6. Jimmy Valenzuela vs. Roberto Hernandez (0-1)

ROUND 3 (Class B)                                                August 29, 2004

1. Den Canaria vs. Jerry Sermeno (1-0)  2. Morton Sawaichi vs. Den Canaria (0-1)

3. Den Canaria vs. Morton Sawaichi (1-0)  4. Morton Sawaichi vs. Ivan II (0-1)

5. Ivan II Chess Computer vs. Morton Sawaichi (1-0)

ROUND 4 (Class A)                                                September 05, 2004

1. Cyril Montel, Jr. vs. Ivan II (0-1)  2. Roberto Hernandez vs. Menandro Manuel (0-1)

3. Bong Alipoon vs. Jess Toldoya (0-1) 4. Jimmy Valenzuela vs. Cyril Montel, Jr. (1-0)

White: Roberto Hernandez                                      September 05, 2004

Black: Menandro Manuel

1. f4 d5 2. Nf3 c5 3. g3 Nc6 4. Bg2 Nf6 5. 0-0 e6 6. e3 Bd6 7. Nc3 0-0 8. d3 a6 9. e4 Bb8 10. e5 Nd7 11. Ng5 h6 12. Nh3 Nd4 13. g4 Ba7 14. Be3 15. Ne2 f6 16. exf6 Nxf6 17. g5 Ng4 18. Bd2 h5 19. c4 Rb8 20. a4 Nb4 21. g6 Qd2 22. Ng3 dxc4 23. dxc4 Qd4+ 24. Kh1 Nd3 25. Qe4 Qxe4 26. Nxe4 Bd7 27. Bc3 Bc6 28. Rad1 Rbd8 29. Nf6+ Nxf6 30. Bxf6 Bxg2+ 31. Kxg2 Rd7 32. Kg3 Rff7 33. Rf3 Nb4 34. Rxd7 Rxd7 35. Re3 Kf7 36. Nf2 Nc2 37. Rd3 Nd4 38. Kg2 Bb8 39. Bxd4 Rxd4 40. Rxd4 cxd4 41. Kf3 e5 42. fxe5 Bxe5 43. Ke4? Bxh2 44. Nd3 Bg3 45. Kxd4 h4 46. Ke3 h3 47. Kf3 h2 48. Kg2 Ke7 49. Nc5 Kd6 50. Nxb7 Kc7 51. Na5 Bd6 52. b3 Kb6 53. b4 Bxb4 54. Nb3 Be7 55. Kxh2 Bxg5 56. a5+ Kc6 57. Kg3 Bf6 58. Kf4 Be7 59. Ke5 g5 60. c5 Kb5 61. Ke6 Bd8 62. Kd6 g4 63. c6 g3 64. c7 Bxc7+ 65. Kxc7 g2 66. Nd4+ Kxa5 67. Kb7?? G1=Q 68. Nc6+ Ka4 69. Kxa6 Qb1 70. Ka7 Kb5 71. Nb8 Kc5 72. Na6+ Kc6 73. Nb8+ Kc7 74. Na6+ Kc8 75. Nc5 Qb5           0-1

ROUND 4 (Class B)                                               September 05, 2004

1. Jose Omega vs. Den Canaria (1-0)  2. Jose Omega vs. Ivan II Chess Computer (0-1)

3. Morton Sawaichi vs. Jose Omega (1-0)

ROUND 5 (Class A)                                               September 12, 2004

1. Jimmy Valenzuela vs. Eddie Grefiel (0-1) 2. Joel Azana vs. Jess Toldoya (0-1)

3. Ivan II vs. Roberto Hernandez (0-1) 4. Joel Azana vs. Bong Alipoon (0-1)

White: Ivan II Chess Computer                              September 12, 2004

Black: Roberto Hernandez

1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. c3 d6 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. Bd3 0-0 6. 0-0 Nc6 7. b4 a6 8. Nbd2 e5 9. a3 Nh5 10. Nb3 Nf4 11. Bc2 Ne7 12. Bd2 Bg4 13. d5 Kh8 14. g3 Nh3+ 15. Kh1 f5 16. Kg2 fxe4 17.Bxe4 Rf6 18. Be3 Qf8 19. c4 Bh6 20. Bxh6 Qxh6 21. Nbd2 Raf8 22. Qb1 Nf4+ 23. gxf4 Qh3+ 24. Kh1 Rxf4 25. Ng5 Qh5 26. Ne6 Bxe6 27. dxe6 Rh4 28. Bxb7 Rxh2+ 29. Kg1 c6 30. Bxc6 Nxc6 31. Qe4 Rf4 32.e7 Nxe7 33. b3 Rxe4 34. f4 Ree2 35. Rf2 Rexf2 36. Nb3 Qg4#               0-1

ROUND 5 (Class B)                                               September 12, 2004

1. Ivan II vs. Mariano Agustin, Jr. (1-0) 2. Mariano Agustin, Jr. vs. Den Canaria (1-0)

BLITZ CHESS TOURNAMENT

September 12, 2004

Single Round Robin

         Players                                                            Win   Loss   Draw      Total

1. MENANDRO MANUEL                              4       1          0             4
2. ROBERTO HERNANDEZ                           3       2          0             3
3. EDDIE GREFIEL                                          3       2          0             3
4. BONG ALIPOON                                         2       3          0             2
5. JOEL AZANA                                               0       5          0             0

ROUND 6 (Class A)                                               September 19, 2004

1. Cyril Montel, Jr. vs. Roberto Hernandez (0-1) 2. Jess Toldoya vs. Cyril Montel, Jr. (Draw)  3. Jimmy Valenzuela vs. Ivan II Chess Computer (1-0)

White: Cyril Montel, Jr.                                          September 19, 2004

Black: Roberto Hernandez

1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nf3 d6 4. c3 Nf6 5. Bd3 0-0 6. 0-0 Nbd7 7. Re1 c5 8. Nbd2 cxd4 9. cxd4 e5 10. d5 Nc5 11. Bc2 Bg4 12. h3 Bd7 13. Nc4 Bb5 14. b3 Nh5 15. a4 Bxc4 16. bxc4 Rc8 17. Be3 f5 18. Bxc5 Rxc5 19. Rb1 Rxc4 20. exf5 gxf5 21. Rxb7 Qe8 22. Rb2 Nf4 23. Ng5 e4 24. Ra2 Rd4 25. Qb1 h6 26. Ne6 Nxe6 27. dxe6 Qxe6 28. Qb7 Rf7 29. Qb8+ Kh7 30. Bb3 d5 31. Rae2 Be5 32. Qb5 Rg7 33. f4 Bxf4 34. Rf2 Bg3 35. Qc5 Bxf2+ 36. Kxf2 Rd3 37. Re3 Rxb3 38. Qc2 d4 39. g4 d3             0-1

ROUND 6 (Class B)                                               September 19, 2004

1. Dennis Gonzales vs. Ivan II (0-1) 2. Ivan II vs. Dennis Gonzales (1-0)

3. Dennis Gonzales vs. Jerry Sermeno (0-1) 4. Mariano Agustin, Jr. vs. Dennis Gonzales (1-0)  5. Mariano Agustin, Jr. vs. Jerry Sermeno (1-0)

PENULTIMATE ROUND (7^TH) (Class A)           September 26, 2004

1. Eddie Grefiel vs. Joel Azana (1-0) 2. Roberto Hernandez vs. Eddie Grefiel (1-0) 

3. Menandro Manuel vs. Jess Toldoya (Draw) 4. Joel Azana vs. Cyril Montel, Jr. (0-1)

5. Cyril Montel, Jr. vs. Bong Alipoon (1-0)

White: Roberto Hernandez                                    September 26, 2004

Black: Eddie Grefiel

1. f4 c5 2. e4 d5 3. exd4 Qxd5 4. Nc3 Qd8 5. Bc4 Nf6 6. Nf3 e6 7. 0-0 Be7 8. Kh1 0-0 9. Ne5 a6 10. a4 Nbd7 11. Rf3 Qc7 12. Qe2 b6 13. Rh3 Bb7 14. d3 Bd6 15. Nxd7 Qxd7 16. Ne4 Qe7 17. Bd2 Rad8 18. Rf1 g6 19. Nxf6+ Qxf6 20. Bc3 Qe7 21. Qe3 Rfe8 22. Rxh7! f6 23. Rxe7 Bxe7 24. Qxe6+ Kg7 25. Qf7+ Kh6 26. Re1 b5 27. axb5 axb5 28. Bxb5 Bd5 29. Qxe8 Rxe8 30. Bxe8 Bd6 31. Bxf6 Bxf4 32. h4 Kh5 33. Re7 c5 34. dxc5 Ba8 35. Bd7 g5 36. hxg5 Kh4 37. Rh7+ Kg3 38. Rh3+ Kf2 39. Bd4+ Kf1 40. Rf3+ Bxf3 41. gxf3 Bxg5 42. b4 Ke2 43. b5 Kd2 44. c3 Kd3 45. c5 Kc4 46. c6 Bf4 47. Kg2 Kd3 48. Kh3 Kc4 49. Kg4              1-0

PENULTIMATE ROUND (7^TH) (Class B)          September 26, 2004

1. Ivan II vs. Jose Omega (0-1) 2. Den Canaria vs. Jose Omega (0-1) 3. Mariano Agustin, Jr. vs. Ivan II (0-1)  4. Jerry Sermeno vs. Mariano Agustin, Jr. (0-1)  5. Jose Omega vs. Morton Sawaichi (1-0)

SUNDAY BLITZ CHESS TILT

September 26, 2004

Single Round Robin

                 Players                                                    Win   Loss   Draw      Total

1. MENANDRO MANUEL                             4         1        0              4
2. JIMMY VALENZUELA                              3        2        0               3
3. EDDIE GREFIEL                                         3        2         0              3
4. ROBERTO HERNANDEZ                          2        3         0              2
5. JOEL AZANA                                              2        3        0               2
6. BONG ALIPOON                                        1        4         0              1

FINAL ROUND (Class A)                                  October 03, 2004

1. Ivan II vs. Jess Toldoya (0-1)  2. Bong Alipoon vs. Ivan II Chess Computer (1-0)

3. Jess Toldoya v Roberto Hernandez (Draw) 4. Menandro Manuel v Bong Alipoon (0-1)

FINAL ROUND (Class B)                                  October 03, 2004

1. Dennis Gonzales vs. Jose Omega (0-1) 2. Jose Omega vs. Dennis Gonzales (1-0)

3. Dennis Gonzales vs. Marinao Agustin, Jr. (1-0) 4. Den Canaria vs. Dennis Gonzales (Draw) 5. Dennis Gonzales vs. Den Canaria (Draw) 6. Den Canaria vs. Ivan II (Draw)*

7. Ivan II vs. Den Canaria (Draw)* 8. Morton Sawaichi vs. Dennis Gonzales (0-1)*

9. Dennis Gonzales vs. Morton Sawaichi (1-0) 10. Ivan II vs. Jerry Sermeno (1-0)*

11. Jerry Sermeno vs. Ivan II (0-1) 12. Jerry Sermeno vs. Dennis Gonzales (0-1)

N E W   R A T I N G

(October 24, 2004)

           PLAYERS                                             Old Rating      Gained/Lost    New Rating

  1. EDDIE GREFIEL                                          1954                  116                2070

  2. IVAN II CHESS COMPUTER                     1991                    16                2007

  3. ROBERTO HERNANDEZ                           1885                    74                1959

  4. JESS TOLDOYA                                           1811                   72                 1883

  5. MENANDRO MANUEL                              1864                    11                1875

  6. MIKE MIGUEL, JR.                                     1843                     0                 1843

  7. JIMMY VALENZUELA                               1739                   83                 1822

  8. CYRIL MONTEL, JR.                                  1804                    -5                 1799

  9. DANNY DANDOY                                      1793                     0                  1793

10. JOSE OMEGA                                              1718                    63                 1781

11. BONG ALIPOON                                         1676                   84                 1760

12. MARIO RAMOS                                           1746                    0                  1746

13. JIMBOY DE JESUS                                      1710                    0                  1710

14. LIN DE GUZMAN                                       1672                     0                  1672

15. MARIANO AGUSTIN, JR.                          1640                   12                  1642

16. JUN MAHOR                                                1620                    0                  1620

17. DEN CANARIA                                            1500                   99                 1599

18. JOEL AZANA                                               1500                    86                 1586

19. JERRY SERMENO                                       1500                    83                 1583

20. AMANTE CABALLERO                             1579                     0                  1579

21. DENNIS GONZALES                                   1500                    78                 1578

22. MORTON SAWAICHI                                 1500                    58                 1558

23. BEN RAMOS                                                1515                     0                  1515

24. TUTII JOE CHILTON                                  1510                     0                  1510

25. NORBERT VILLANUEVA                          1510                     0                  1510

26. ROLANDO FUNA                                        1510                     0                  1510 

RECORDED GAMES

ROUND 8                                                                           October 03, 2004

White: Jess Toldoya

Black: Roberto Hernandez

1. d4 f5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3 e6 4. g3 Bb4 5. Bd2 0-0 6. Bg2 Nc6 7. 0-0 Bxc3 8. Bxc3 Ne4 9. d5 Nxc3 10. bxc3 exd5 11. Qxd5+ Kh8 12. Ne5 Nxe5 13. Qxe5 d6 14. Qb5 c6 15. Qb3 Qe7 16. e3 Be6 17. Qb4 a5 18. Qb2 Bc4 19. Rfd1 d5 20. a4 Rf6 21. Rab1 Rb8 22. Qb6 c5 23. Qa7 Qc7 24. Bxd5 Ra6 25. Rxb7 Rxa7 26. Rxc7 Rxc7 27. Bxc4 g6 28. Rd6 Rb2 29. Rd2 Kg7 30. Kf1 Kf6 31. Ke2 Kg5 32. Kf3 Re7 33. h4+ Kh5 34. Bb5 Rb7 35. c4 h6 36. Re8 R7xb5 37. cxb5 Rxc2 38. Rd5 Ra2 39. b6 c4 40. Rxa5 c3 41. Rc5 Rb2 42. a5 c2 43. b7 Rxb7 44. Rxc2 Ra7 45. Rc5 Ra6 46. g4+ Kxh4 47. gxf5 g5 48. e4 Kh3 49. e5 g4+ 50. Ke2 h5 51. e6 h4 52. e7 Ra8 53. f6 Kg2 54. a6 h3 55. Rg5 h2 56. Rxg4+ Kh3 57. Rg3+ Kh4 58. Rg7 Rh8 59. f7 h1=Q 60. f8=Q 61. Qe4+                (Draw)

Source:   The   History   Of   Chess   In   Palau    by    Roberto   Hernandez    Part 7     July 11, 2004

Left to right, Joel Azana, Roberto Hernandez, Eddie Grefiel, Cyril Montel, Jr.
                                                                   Photo: Roberto Hernandez

UPPER PHOTO: Menandro Manuel vs. Bong Alipoon; Den Canaria vs. Jimmy Valenzuela.

LOWER PHOTO: Jimmy Valenzuela vs. Menandro Manuel. Mariano Agustin, Jr. watches from the sideline.

                                                                                                         (Photos by: Roberto Hernandez)

INDOOR CHESS

     The second round of the 204 Non-Masters Chess Tournament play partially indoors due to heavy rain. At left is Nilo de Jesus, sponsor of cash prize in the kid's top 3 finishers, playing the white pieces against Cyril Montel, Jr. who won four straight games.                                          (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

NINTH SEED Danny Dandoy, a teacher at Palau High School, dealt 3rd seed Menandro Manuel his first loss of the tournament in the 5th round of the 2003 Non-Masters Chess tournament held on Sunday, February 08, at Paul Brothers Tri-M General Merchandise and Food Retail in Malakal.

He scored another upset later in the afternoon by beating 5th seed Jimmy Valenzuela. Dandoy now totes a 4-1-0 win-loss-draw record and is tied for 2nd place with idle and undefeated Cyril Montel, Jr. (4-0-0).

The surprise of the day was Mario Ramos' much improved play. He defeated co-host Lin de Guzman after being down by a rook, then beat 2nd seed Roberto Hernandez in 43 moves of Sicilian Defence (Najdorf Variation).

Ramos also almost won over 8th seed Mike Miguel, Jr. when he failed to convert his material and positional advantage and lost instead. Ramos (2-2-0) tried to play as many games as he could because he is now assign indefinitely in Melekeok and could not play every week.

He got a chance to play after voting in the TFCP election of new officers where 2 players (Hernandez and Jess Toldoya) ran for auditor and board of director post respectively.

Hernandez made it with 654 votes in the unofficial count but Toldoya didn't make to the top 15.

Tenth seed Nilo de Jesus (1-4-0) used his favorite defence when handling black, the Benko Gambit, against Ivan II Chess Computer. He made a poor defensive play on the 16th move and did not recover after Ivan II (2-2-1) unleashed a series of simplification moves and won 2in 8 moves in less than an hour of play.

OTHER RESULTS OF SENIORS 5TH ROUND:

Miguel Jr., (3-2-0) defeated Valenzuela (2-6-0); Valenzuela lost another game to Bong Alipoon (1-3-1) and finally, Jose Omega (2-1-0) won over de Guzman in which the only game that Omega could play with his available time. His adjourned game with Toldoya will be resumed this Sunday.

In the kid's division, former champion Jayrome Soriano (2-0-1) defeated Ricky 'Jun'Jun' Camacho (0-3-0) in just one game. Lone female contestant Karen Hernandez (3-0-1) swept 9-year-old Georby Domingo (2-0) to stay at second place.

Chris Domingo (1-3-1), the older brother of Georby, already in the mating position against Ivan II  Chess Computer when some junior players distracted his composure and Ivan II escaped with a draw by stalemate. It means he has no legal move and is not under check, so stalemate occurs and it is a draw.

Defending champion Charles Aquino (6-0-1) used the same level as Domingo has set up against Ivan and won to keep on top of the standings.

Finally, 16-year-old Michael Velarde (2-2-0) defeated Chris Domingo and now in solo third spot.

There will be a meeting this Saturday, Feb. 14 at Paul Brothers to discuss the election of new officers of the Knights and Rooks Chess Club, the next tournament, club's financial report, expenses and other related matters.

All available players are requested to attend this meeting that will start at 2:00 pm.

Source:

Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez

Tia Belau Newspaper

Pages 17 & 19

February 13-20, 2004