(1642) THERE ARE 11 WOMEN PARTICIPANTS IN THE ONGOING 2019 P.R.C.C.

 THERE ARE 11 WOMEN                     PARTICIPANTS IN THE ONGOING
                       2019 P.R.C.C. 

It was learned from the 2016 Oceania Chess Confederation meeting during the Baku, Azerbaijan World Chess Olympiad that Palau has more women chess players than New Zealand.

In the ongoing 2019 Palau Rapid Chess Championship that started in March 03, there are more than 1/3 women participants --- 

1. WFM Angelica Parrado** 

2. Joan Gemota* 

 3. Angelil Sisior* 

4. Jennifer Angeles 

5. Destiny Sisior**

 6. Angelica Magno* 

 7. Kyarii Sisior

 8. Jedidia Marinas

 9. Wakako Sisior

 10. Mary Jane Bojo

 11. Mary Grace Capili. 

  The 2 asterisks indicates that they have been my teammates in 2014 World Chess Olympiad in Tromso, Norway and the 1 asterisk is being my teammates in the 2018 WCO in Batumi, Georgia.

WOMEN CHESS IS BOOMING IN PALAU!!!

There's a Chinese girl watching/practicing chess with fellow youngster during break time. She is a student of Chess Teacher at PMA Chess in School Jennifer Angeles. She said she doesn't know the game well yet but she will be participating soon in local tournaments.

JUNIOR CHESS IS ALSO BOOMING!!!

There are 13 junior contestants in this 2019 PRCC and most of them will join the 2019 Palau National Chess Championship to start at the adjusted date of June 23-Aug. 18 so that Ksau Anthony Whipps and Reece Reklai can participate before resuming studies off island. The other junior players are the Sisior sisters Angelil, Destiny and Kyarii, brothers Rommel and Michael Gulla, 2018 Junior champion Gian Gabriel Claronino, Wakako Sisior, Khol Sugiyama, Dave Cristobal, Aome Angeles, Solomon Islands' Carlos Santus Amo Sifix, Bin Robinson Luo Cabrera, my guitar/chess student Brandon Kyle Soriano,
Gian Paloma, Nicholas Nehez, Allyza Igharas, Paul Tucker. If the junior participants reached at least 18 players, it might be a 9-round Swiss system event which has never been happened in Palau junior chess event.



Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
               Tia Belau Newspaper
               December 29, 2002 -- March 22, 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 -- March 22, 2019

              The History of Chess in Palau
              By Roberto Hernandez
              June 09, 2002 -- March 22, 2019

(1638) PHOTOS -- ROUND 5 & 6 OF 2019 PRCC (March 17, 2019 at Bethlehem Park)

 PHOTOS --
           Round 5 & 6 of 2019
   Palau Rapid Chess Championship
(Mar. 17, 2019 at Bethlehem Park)

Bobot Tan, left, stays unbeaten after defeating Palau's first WFM Angelica Parrado.

Joan Gemota, my teammate in the 2018 World Chess Olympiad in Batumi, Georgia, is still rusty after losing in less than 20 moves to me. She barely missed the Woman Candidate Master title in the last round. Had she won that game, Palau would have been gaining 3 titles in one Olympiad! Palau top player in the last 8 years got his CM title despite playing at Board 1 in the Open section. Angie got her WCM title 2 rounds earlier than Cyril and the WFM title in the final round.

Jeff Balbalosa, 2nd from left, and my teammate in 2014 Tromso, Norway Olympiad and 2016 WCO in Baku, Azerbaijan, tested the current strength of my teammate in 2018 WCO in Georgia Angelil Sisior, who defeated 5th seed Rustum Cabuso in the first round of the ongoing 2019 Palau Rapid Chess Championship. Angelil also defeated me in the 4th round. Jeff only manage to draw against Angelil.

A Chinese girl student at Palau Missionary Academy, right, is testing the ambiance of a real chess tournament by practicing with Bin Robinson Luo Cabrera, the last participant in the ongoing 2019 PRCC. Jennifer Angeles, 2nd from right, the chess teacher in the first Chess in School in Palau, said that the Chinese girl is just starting to learn the game.

Kyarii Sisior is climbing the wooden post to charge her cell phone at the outlet while the 2 other other girls who are not playing are enjoying the cheap and strong internet connection. Palau had the fiber optic connection in Dec. 7, 2017 and now many enjoy the fast and cheat internet.

Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
                  Tia Belau Newspaper
                  December 29, 2002 -- March 19, 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 -- March 19, 2019

                 The History of Chess in Palau
                 By Roberto Hernandez
                 June 02, 2002 -- March 19, 2019
                

(1627) 12 REPS OF PALAU TO 2019 OZCC IN GUAM; 2019 PRCC TO START MARCH 03 (TBN-Feb. 25, 2019)

            2019 OCEANIA ZONAL CHESS                          CHAMPIONSHIP KEY PEOPLE

                  From left to right—Tito Cabunagan, Eric Ksau Surangel Whipps, Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr., Dennis Gonzales, all from Palau, (?), Shaun Press, Roger Orio, President of Guam Echecs, Paul Spiller, re-elected Oceania Chess Confederation President, Zhu Chen, the new Treasurer of FIDE and former World Women Chess Champion, Jamie Kenmure, (?) and Leon Ryan, former President of Guam Echecs.

12 REPS OF PALAU TO 2019 OZCC IN GUAM;
       2019 PRCC TO START MARCH 03

Originally, there are 33 players that are interested to join in the 2019 Oceania Zonal Chess Championship in Guam on Feb. 17-24 but only 12 made it. They are Palau Chess Federation President and Delegate Eric Ksau Surangel Whipps, Tito Cabunagan, CM Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr., WFM Angelica Parrado, Dennis Gonzales, Ksau Anthony Flores Whipps, Remrel Dizon, Angelil Sisior, Destiny Sisior, Kayah Iblai Flores Whipps, Reece Reklai and Mohammad Manik Hossain, who will proceed to Japan to participate in the prestigious Tokyo Marathon on March 03.

                The newly elected President of World Chess Federation (FIDE) Arkady Dvorkovich visited the event that gave a big boost for the Oceania Zone’s chess development with financial funds to help all deserving federations.

                There are 10 players in the women’s division with top seed WGM from Australia Julia Ryjanova (2289) leading the way followed by the WFM from New Zealand Vjanla Punsalan (1951), Australian Rebecca Stones (1822), Guam’s Olga Szekely, WFM Parrado (1554), Guam’s Myra Ollet (1454), Angelil (1439), Destiny (1432), Kayah (1083) and Guam’s Grace Co Estur (no rating).

                There are 36 players in the Open division with Palau players Cyril seeded 12^th, Tito—18^th, Dennis—23^rd, Ksau—24^th, Remrel—25^th, Manik—26^th and Reece—28^th. The top seed is GM Max Illingworth of Australia, whom I met in the 2009 OZCC where he doesn’t have a title yet. Some notable participants are 6^th seed CM Elmer Prudente, where we met him at 2018 World Chess Olympiad in Batumi, Georgia. He’s got his CM title there while PNG’s FM Stuart Fancy is 7^th seed followed by Enofre Efren Manuel of Guam whom I have drawn my game against him in 2014 WCO in Tromso, Norway.

                New Zealand CM Paul Spiller, the re-elected President of Oceania 3.6 Zone is seeded 9^th while at 10^th is FM Shaun Press of PNG. CM Leon Kempen of Australia, a regular participant in all Oceania Zonal, is seeded 11^th. Rudolph Soriano, Elias Tirador and Malcolm McFarland, all from Guam, are seeded 13^th-15^th respectively. I and McFarland were both team captains in 2018 WCO. He’s got a National Instructor title there after attending Trainers’ Seminar.

                CM Rogelio “Roger” Orio of Guam, President of Guam Echecs, is seeded 16^th while another player from Australia, CM Aurel John Buclu is 17^th. The 29^th-36^th seeded players from Guam are all unrated.

                As of 7^th round, Max is still undefeated with 6 points. Cyril has 3.5 points, Dennis and Ksau—2.5 points  each; Remrel (2), Manik (1) and Reece (1.5) had a BYE for an automatic 1 point score.

                The 2019 Palau Rapid Chess Championship will commence on March 03 till March 31 in this 9-round Swiss system event. Tito will be assigned as the Chief Arbiter for the next 2 tournaments in Palau for him to obtain an FA (FIDE Arbiter) title within this year. The time control is 15 min. + 5 sec. increment. The registration fee is $10.00 if paid already of one year membership fee of $20.00. There will be 2 games every Sunday except the last Sun. where there would be only 1 final round game and awarding will ensue.

             THE FOLLOWING ARE THE POSSIBLE                  CONTESTANTS WITH THEIR 
                       RAPID RATINGS:

1.       Cyril (1861) 2. Jeff Balbalosa (1792) 3. Me (1779) 4. Paquito Suringa, Jr. (1778) 5. Bobot Tan (1734) 6. Rustum Cabuso (1728) 7. Dennis (1694) 8. Angie Parrado (1692) 9. Angelo Salvadora (1646) 10. Gonzalo Escapatoria (1600) 11. Mohammad Manik Hossain (1595) 12. Samuel Palingcod (1567-Standard) 13. Angelito Mintar, Jr. (1554-S) 14. Remrel (1541) 15. Bheng (1525) 16. Neph Macasaet (1501) 17. Jun Mahor (1498) 18. Eugene Labarda (1483) 19. Jello Aguaras (1467-S) 20. Destiny (1458) 21. Rafael Paloma (1436) 22. Glen Navarroza (1424) 23. Ksau (1422) 24. Angelil (1397) 25. Joan Gemota (1372) 26. Reece (1345-S) 27. Leif Toribiong (1323-S) 28.Gian Gabriel Claronino (1290-S) 29. Charley Patris (1274-S) 30. Morton Sawaichi (1206) 31. Jennifer Angeles (1153) 32. Kyarii Sisior (1097) 33. Angelica Magno (1066) NO RATING TO THE FOLLOWING—34. Aome Angeles 35. Gian Paloma 36. Rommel Gulla 37. Michael Gulla 38. Nicholas Nehez 39. Flavin Andres 40. Joel Gemota 41. Brandon Kyle Soriano 42. Mary Jane Bojo 43. Mary Grace Capili 44. Jedidia Marinas 45. Wakako Sisior 46. Dave Cristobal 

Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
               Tia Belau Newspaper
               Pages 9-10
               Volume 28
               Issue 16
               February 25, 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 -- February 25, 2019

             The History of Chess in Palau
             By Roberto Hernandez
             June 09, 2002 -- February 25, 2019

               

                   

(1625) MEDALS, GC, CERTIFICATES AWARDED ON FEB. 10 (TBN-Feb. 18, 2019)

THE FUTURE OF PALAU CHESS

                    The current cream of the crop of Palau young chess players (L-R) Kayah Iblai Whipps, Kyarii Sisior, Gian Gabriel Claronino, Michael Gulla, Brandon Kyle Soriano, Wakako Sisior, Destiny Sisior, Angelil Sisior, Gian Paloma and Rommel Gulla during the awarding ceremony of the winners of the last 3 tournaments in Palau held in Feb. 10, 2019.   (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

            MEDALS, GIFT CERTIFICATES,                   CERTIFICATES OF PARTICIPATION                        AWARDED ON FEB. 10

                Awarding for the last 3 major chess tournaments in Palau was held at Eric Ksau Whipps’ residence in Surangel Dock on Feb. 10, 2019 with almost all of the awardees present. It started at 4 pm with the arrival of guests and players. While waiting, chess boards and clocks were set for them to practice. At 4:30, the awarding started with me doing the Opening Prayer.

                First to be awarded were the winners of the 1^st Surangel Chess Team Tournament won by the Dark Grey team of Angelo Salvadora, held from Aug. 05-Sept. 16. His team members are John Malinao, Angie Parrado, Rommel Gulla, Pedro Parmisano, Albino and Lieslie Taksiau, Meriur N. The 1^st runner-up goes to the Royal Blue team of Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. and his team members Eugene Labarda, Jennifer Angeles, Reece Reklai, Carlos Manuel, Benerica Daligdig, Bendel Daligdig, Jamie Remoket and Aome Angeles. The 2^nd runner-up honor goes to the Light Blue Team of Rustum Cabuso with team members Manuel Mahor, Jr., Angelica Magno, Michael Gulla, Ultei Surangel, Arnold Undecimo, Margie Magro and Lancy Lazarus.  All of them received Surangel gift certificates.

                Certificates were given to the Top Women Finishers in the 2018 PNCC—the perennial No. 1 woman chess player of Palau Angie Parrado (1554 FIDE rating) and her 2 daughters Angelil (1439) and Destiny Sisior(1432).

                The Junior Division Top 3 finishers were given gold, silver and bronze medals—1. Gian Gabriel Claronino 2. Michael Gulla 3. Kyarii Sisior. The Open division winners are 1. Bobot Tan (1871)—gold medal;  2. Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr.(1877)—silver medal and me 3. Roberto Hernandez (1707)-bronze.

                Certificates were given to the Biggest Improvement in FIDE Rating list—Angelica Magno for gaining 80 rating points in standard rating and 65 rating points in blitz rating.

                For the Top Performing Newcomer, my guitar/chess student Brandon Kyle Soriano received a certificate for scoring 4 points in the recently concluded 2019 Palau Blitz Chess Championship—tied from 19^th to 27^th spot while the Highest Rating for Newcomers goes to Samuel Palingcod (1567) for 11^th place among Palau top active chess players.

                The Top 3 Palau Chess Players in FIDE Rating List for the month of January 2019 were also given recognition with certificates—Men—1. Cyril (1877) 2. Bobot (1871) and 3. Tito Cabunagan (1717). Women—1. Angelica Parrado (1554) 2. Baby Edna Mission (1389) 3. Joan Gemota (1283). Juniors—1. Ksau Anthony Flores Whipps (1519) 2. Angelil Sisior (1439) 3. Destiny Sisior (1432).

                The 3 new Titled Players were given certificates—Angelica Parrado for the first ever Woman FIDE Master (WFM) title for Palau which she earned from 2018 World Chess Olympiad in Batumi, Georgia; 2^nd Candidate Master (CM) to Cyril from the same Olympiad, too. The first CM title of Palau was gained by CM Bernardo Garcia in the 2012 WCO in Istanbul, Turkey. The 2^nd FIDE Arbiter title was awarded to me for gaining my 3^rd norm from the 2019 PBCC. Palau’s first FIDE Arbiter is Eric from 2013 World Youth Chess Championship in Al Ain, UAE in December.

                And finally, 3 medals were awarded to the 3 winners of 2019 PBCC—1. Bobot (1898 new FIDE Blitz rating) 2. Jeff Balbalosa (1691) and 3. Rustum Cabuso (1719).

                In the middle of the awarding, me being the host, announced a short break to have dinner and I performed at the keyboard with Brandon Kyle Soriano with guitar to the song “Beautiful Sunday”, followed by performance also by my guitar/piano/ukulele/chess student Angelica Magno to the song “Stand By Me”.

                Solution to last week’s puzzle No. 3832: 1. Nc6+ Kb7 2. a6+! Kxc6 3. b5#

               This week’s puzzle No. 3481: White to move and mates in 2 (Solution next issue)

Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez

               Tia Belau Newspaper

               Pages 9-10

               Volume 28

               Issue 14

               February 18, 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 -- February 18, 2019

               The History of Chess in Palau

               By Roberto Hernandez

               June 09, 2002 -- February 18, 2019

(1604) JOAN GEMOTA IS BACK; 4TH ROUND RESULTS (TBN-Nov. 26, 2018)

: WELCOME BACK JOAN; RUSTUM IS NEXT

                    Rustum Cabuso had a longer vacation than Joan as he got married after coming back from 2018 WCO in Batumi, Georgia. Joan played her first game of the 2018 PNCC against Destiny Sisor. The winner of the Open division will qualify for the 2020 WCO in Russia. The Sisior sisters (Angelil and Destiny) were added to the women’s division to give them training ground for the Palau Women’s team in that Olympiad. This resulted to only 5 players in the junior division that they will have to play a double round-robin for a total of 8 games each.  (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

         JOAN GEMOTA IS BACK;

           4th ROUND RESULTS

                Batumi, Georgia Chess Olympiad Palau Chess Team member Joan Gemota spent almost two months of vacation prior, during and after the 2018 World Chess Olympiad. She had come back now and played her first game of the 2018 Palau National Chess Championship against Destiny Sisior in the 4^th round of the event on Nov. 18 at Ernguul Park.

                In the Open section, 3 draws were recorded –frontrunner/unbeaten Bobot Tan vs. fellow unbeaten Angel Salvadora, Tito Cabunagan vs. Jeff Balbalosa and Mohammad Manik Hossain vs. Reece Reklai. Top seed and Palau’s newest Candidate Master (CM) Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. bounced back from 3^rd round setback and whipped Gonzalo ‘Jojo’ Escapatoria while Manuel ‘Jun’ Mahor scored 3 consecutive wins after losing the 1^st round game to Bobot. He defeated newcomer Samuel Palingcod. I lost my 3^rd straight to Dennis Gonzales; Jello Aguaras finally scored a victory when he outplayed Morton Sawaichi; Charley Patris likewise won for the first time with the conquest of Neph Macasaet and Glen Navarroza collected his 2^nd win by trouncing Remrel Dizon.

                Paquito ‘Pax’ Suringa, Jr. didn’t show up at Ernguul Park because his game against Angelito Mintar, Jr. was played at his residence 5 days prior to the 4^th round games. He prevailed in 28 moves of French Defense.

After the 5^th round pairings were announced, Neph and Manik agreed to play their 5^th round game right away with shorter time control. Neph prevailed in undetermined number of moves as they didn’t annotate their game.

                Pax is just half point behind the leader now after he clobbered undefeated Angel Salvadora in 56 moves of Queen’s Pawn opening of yet another game held at his residence.

Round 5 pairings: (First name to play the white pieces) 1. Tito vs. Bobot 2. Jun vs. Cyril 3. Jojo vs. Dennis 4. Charley vs. Jeff 5. Glen vs. Angelito 6. Reece vs. Sam 7. Jello vs. Remrel and Me vs. Morton.

                Peter Long is the newly appointed Press Officer of Asian Chess Federation (ACF) and they are now updating the new ACF Website. They are asking the Palau Chess Federation and the other 91 Federations and personalities to answer 10 questions—1. When was your Federation founded? 2. How many chess players are there in your country? 3. Do you have FIDE titled and rated players? 4. Who are your top players? 5. Tell us about the leader(s) in your National Chess Federation and their vision for chess in your country 6. Are there major or proud accomplishments in recent years that we should know about?  7. What are your major competitions? 8. Is there chess in schools and how does it work? 9. Do you get support from your government and if so, how do they help? 10. Finally, please tell us about your developmental programs and activities.

                Mr. Long is also responsible for keeping the ACF website current as well as to work on Social Media communications. His last words, “Do also send photos as well and I look forward to publishing all your stories!” I am preparing the response for this to make PCF known more to Asia and to the world.

               

                Solution to last week’s puzzle No. 3796: 1. Rb7+! Bxb7 2. Nc2+! Nxc2 3. Rb5#

                This week’s puzzle No. 3493: White to move and mates in 2 (Solution next issue)

Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez

               Tia Belau Newspaper

               Pages 9-10

               Volume 27

               Issue 94

               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 -- November 26, 2018

               The History of Chess in Palau

               By Roberto Hernandez

               June 09, 2002 -- November 26, 2018

(1600) ROUND 3 PAIRINGS -- 6 PLAYERS ARE STILL UNDEFEATED (TBN-Nov. 12, 2018)

: 2^ND LOSS OF JENNIFER TUBTUB

                 Jennifer Tubtub Angeles lost her 2^nd game in the women’s division of 2018 PNCC to Destiny Sisior. She told me that there are 16 new students of Chess in School in PMA that is going on now. She will send me the names of those players/students so that I can prepare their Swiss Perfect file for their blitz tournament.                               (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

          

                   ROUND 3 PAIRINGS --
       6 PLAYERS ARE STILL UNDEFEATED

                Top seed unbeaten and Palau’s newest Candidate Master (CM) Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. will clash in mental combat with Bobot Tan in the match of undefeated top 2 seeds in the resumption of 2018 Palau National Chess Championship at Ernguul Park on Sunday, November 11 at 2pm onward.

                Angelo Salvadora vs. Tito Cabunagan and Gonzalo Escapatoria vs. Samuel Palingcod are two matches of another 4 unbeaten players.

              Even with heavy rain, the round 2 of 2018 Palau National Chess Championship proceeded with 18 players in the Open division slugging it out for a slot at 2020 World Chess Olympiad in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia.

                Top seed Montel, Jr. prevailed over me in 44 moves of French Defense while Palingcod nipped fellow newcomer Angelito Mintar, Jr. in 51 moves of Caro-Kahn Defense; 

Jeff Balbalosa bounced back from a setback last week to Mintar by clobbering Dennis Gonzales in 69 moves of another French Defense.

                Neph Macasaet dealt Jello Aguaras his 2nd defeat; likewise Manuel Mahor dealt Charley Patris his 2nd setback in 35 moves; Guam Oceania Zonal Chess Championship and Tokyo Marathon-bound Manik Hossain upended Morton Sawaichi in 46 moves.

               It’s a draw between Tito Cabunagan and Gonzalo Escapatoria and Reece Reklai whipped Glen Navarroza (Osman M Marte) in 26 moves for his first win outside junior division. The longest game of the day was between Remrel Dizon and Angelo Salvadora that lasted 59 moves of Sicilian defense with Angel prevailing to set up the 3rd round pairings on Sun. Nov. 11 as follows: 1. Cyril vs. Bobot Tan 2. Angel vs. Tito 3. Jojo vs. Samuel Palingcod 4. Paquito Suringa Jr. vs. Neph 5. Manuel Mahor vs. Me 6. Jeff Balbalosa vs. Manik Hossain 7. Mintar vs. Remrel 8. Dennis vs. Reece 9. Glen vs. Jello Aguaras and 10. Morton Sawaichi vs. Charley.

In the double round-robin junior division, Michael Gulla and Gian Gabriel Claronino split their 2 games as well as the 2 matches of Kyarii Sisior and Rommel Gulla at 1-1 apiece.

And in the only game in the women's division, Angelica Morales Magno took advantage of Bheng Codinera Mendoza blunder and prevailed in 28 moves to wrap up the very busy 2nd round.

     In the last issue of Chess Mate, the players’ new ratings for the month of November has been published with 2 new masters of Palau added – CM for Cyril and WFM for Angie. As usual in the last 3 World Chess Olympiads, the participants were always losing FIDE rating points after those Olympiads.

     Cyril lost only a minimal 5 points from 1882-1877; Bobot Tan lost also 6 points from 1823-1817. Palau’s no. 3 Angelo lost the most ratings points of 86 from 1772-1686 to drop from 3^rd to 8^th for winning only 2 games out of 9 in Batumi, Georgia Olympiad despite playing at Board 3 in the Open section. Likewise, Rustum Cabuso lost 29 points from 1730-1701 to slide from No. 4 to No. 6 playing at Board 4 winning only 1 game and drawing one against Seychelles.Leif Toribiong lost 19 points from 1323-1304.

     Palau’s first and only WFM Angie lost 35 rating points from 1559-1524 while her daughter Angelil Sisior lost the 2^nd most points of 62 from 1476-1414. Baby Edna Mission had a decrease of 39 rating points from 1475-1436 while Angelica Magno lost 16 points from 1105-1079.

     The only consolation is for Joan Gemota for adding 8 rating points to her 1346 to now 1354! She had a chance to be a Woman Candidate Master is she had won her last round game vs. Bermuda with a 3-4 win-loss slate.

Solution to last week’s puzzle No. 3794: 1. Qxc5+!! dxc5 2. Nc4+ Kb5 3. Rb6#

This week’s puzzle No. 3795: White to move and mates in 3 (Solution next issue)

Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez

               Tia Belau Newspaper

               Pages 9-10

               Volume 27

               Issue 88

               November 12, 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 -- November 12, 2018

             The History of Chess in Palau

             By Roberto Hernandez

             June 09, 2002 -- November 12, 2018