(1153) PALAU CHESS CHAMPIONS FROM 2002-2015 (TBN-Jan. 18, 2016)

TOP FINISHERS OF 2015 PNCC

                     From left, Tito Cabunagan, Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. (his 4^th straight), Felix Oling, Jr., Jeff Balbalosa, Destiny Sisior, Angelica Parrado, Angelil Sisior(a family affair in the combined Women and Junior Division), Josef Karlo Moyet and Gonzalo Escapatoria, Jr.   (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

       PALAU CHESS CHAMPIONS

             FROM 2002-2015

  

THE FIRST ever chess tournament in Palau was held in June 09, 2002—(1) the All-Filipino Chess Tournament in which Daewoo Civil Engineer Eddie Grefiel won the 9-round Swiss system event. It concluded on August 04 and more than a month later, the 2^nd tourney, (2) the 2002 TFCP Open, was organized on Sept. 15-Dec. 1 in which Consul General Julius Torres won the single round-robin event.

                The first tourney of 2003, (3) the Open, Menandro Manuel topped the Class A and Chito Vargas clinched the Class B championship that was held on Jan. 12-April 27.

                4. 2003 Age Group Chess Tournament (May 25-Aug. 24, 2003) – Champion (Class A) – Edgardo Enarsao; Class B – Jose Omega; Under 12 years – Jayrome Soriano.

                5. 2003 Senior and Junior Chess Tournament (Sept. 21-Dec. 14)-Champion - Senior Division-Roberto Hernandez; Champion -- Junior Division – Charles Aquino.

                6. 2004 Non-Master Chess Tournament (Jan. 11-April 11) Senior Division Champion– Jess Toldoya; 18 years and under champion – Charles Aquino.

                7. 2004 Blitz Chess Tourney (April 11, 2004) – Champion- Roberto Hernandez.

                8. 2004 Open Chess Tournament (July 11 – Oct. 03)-Class A –Champion- Eddie Grefiel; Class B –Jose Omega.

                9. 2004 Invitational Blitz Chess Tournament (Aug. 01, 2004) Andrea Buriani (Italy) – Champion.

                10. 2004 Blitz Chess Tournament (Sept. 12, 2004) Menandro Manuel – Champion.

                11. 2004 Sunday Blitz Chess Tilt (Sept. 26, 2004) Menandro Manuel –Champion.

                12. 2004 Rapid Chess Tournament (Oct. 24-Dec. 19) Senior Division Champion-Eddie Grefiel; 18 years and below category champion – Em-R de Vera.

                13. 2004 Knights and Rooks Chess Club (Palau) Christmas Party and Blitz Chess Festival (Dec. 19) Co-champions –Eddie Grefiel and Menandro Manuel (both with 8 wins and 1 loss).

                14. 2005 Regular Chess Tournament (Jan. 06-April 17) Menandro Manuel – Champion.

                15. 2005 Blitz Chess Festival (April 24) Roberto Hernandez – Champion.

                16. 2005 Open Chess Tournament (May 22-Sept. 25) Jose Omega – Champion.

                17. 2005 Mid-Year Blitz Chess Festival (July 10) Champion—Roberto Hernandez (won 10, lost 2).

                18. 2005 Blitz Chess Contest (July 24) Menandro Manuel – Champion.

                19. 2005 Blitz Chess Competition (Aug. 7) Menandro Manuel – Champion.

                20. 2005 Blitz Chess Tilt (Aug. 14) Manuel Nedic and Menandro Manuel –Co-champions.

                21. 2005 Blitz Chess Tourney (Aug. 21) Jimmy Valenzuela –Champion (his first Blitz title).

                22. 2005 Blitz Chess Tournament (Sept. 4) Menandro Manuel, Cyril Montel, Jr.—Champions.

                23. 2005 Blitz Chess fest (Sept. 18) Champion – Menandro Manuel.

                24. 2005-2006 Rapid Chess Tournament (Oct. 23, 2005 – Feb. 12, 2006) M. Manuel-Champion.

                25. 2005 Christmas Blitz Chess Festival (Dec. 18) Roberto Hernandez – Champion.

                26. 2006 Blitz Chess Tourney (Jan. 29) Manuel Nedic –Champion (6-1 win-loss record).

                27. 2006 One-day Blitz Chess Tournament (Feb. 19) Edwin Eti, Roberto Hernandez –Champions.

                28. 2006 Palau National Chess Championship (March 19-Aug. 06) Manuel Nedic (17-3-2) and Menandro Manuel (18-4-0) co-champions and became Palau’s first National Master (NM).

                29. 2006 Pre Championship Blitz Tourney (March 5) Eugenio Pastrana (5-1-2) and Roberto Hernandez (6-2-0) –Champions. Eugenio’s first and only Blitz chess title.

                30. 2006 Opening Round Blitz Chess Contest (March 19) M. Nedic, Edwin Eti – Co Champions.

                31. 2006 Blitz Chess (10 minutes) March 26 –Menandro Manuel (6-0-0) – Champion.

                32. 2006 Blitz Chess Contest (April 02) Roberto Hernandez (5-2-1) –Champion.

                33. 2006 After the Games Blitz Chess Tilt (April 16) Menandro Manuel (7-1-0) – Champion.

                34. 2006 Blitz Chess Tournament (April 23) Edwin Eti (4-1-1) – Champion.

                35. 2006 Sunday Evening Blitz Chess Tourney (April 30) Edwin  Eti (8-1-3) – Champion.

                36. 2006 Blitz Chess Contest (May 7) Menandro Manuel (7-1-0)—Champion.

                37. 2006 International Blitz Chess Tournament (May 14) Florencio Campomanes (FIDE Honorary Lifetime President) 6-0-1 – Champion.

                38. 2006 6-player Blitz Chess Competition (May 21) Cyril Montel, Jr. (7-3-0)—Champion.

                39. 2006 Blitz Chess Tourney (June 11) Menandro Manuel (10-0-0)—Champion.

                40. 2006 Ambassador Marino Cup Rapid Chess Tournament (June 25, July 2, 9)

Rated Division Champions –Jose Omega and Roberto Hernandez (both with 9-1-0 record); Unrated Division Champion –Vincent Vergara (7-3-0); Women’s Champion – Flor Hernandez(8-1-0); Junior Champion –Geaury Ken Pastrana (4-0-0).

                41. 2006 Palau Invitational Chess Championship (Aug. 31-Sept. 5) Hilton Bennett (NZ)-Champion.

                42. 2006 Rapid Chess Tournament (Oct. 01-Dec. 17) Champions—Antonio Villa(13-3-4), Menandro Manuel  (14-4-2).

                43. 2006 3-player Blitz Chess Tournament (Oct. 01) Edwin Eti (3-1-0) –Champion.

                44. 2006 Blitz Chess Contest (Oct. 18) Menandro Manuel – Champion.

                45. 2006 Blitz Chess Tourney (Nov. 12) Antonio Villa (10-0-1) – Champion.

                46. 2006 Blitz Chess Competition (No. 19) Antonio Villa (5-1-1) – Champion.

                47. 2006 Blitz Chess Tilt (1) Nov. 26 –Champions – Jose Omega, Antonio Villa (both 7-1-0). The other contestants are Roberto Hernandez, Menandro Manuel and Eugenio Pastrana.

                48. 2006 Blitz Chess Tilt (2) Nov. 26 – Champion-Edwin Eti (6-1-1). The other contestants are Antonio Villa, Roberto Hernandez, Cyril Montel, Jr. and Eugenio Pastrana.

                49. 2006 After Final Round Blitz Contest (Dec. 10) Antonio Villa (10-2-0) – Champion.

                50. 2006 Christmas Blitz Chess Festival (Dec. 24) Rey Lapuz – Champion. The other participants are Craig Dittrich, Val Vidar, Emmie Buyacao and Andy Estargo.

                51. 2007 Palau National Chess Championship (Jan. 28-May 05) Champions—Roberto Hernandez and Antonio Villa (both with 7-2-0 record and became the 3^rd and 4^th National Master of Palau.

                52. 2007 Palau Royal Resort Rating Chess Tournament (July 21-Oct 31)—Champion –Roberto Hernandez (29-4-3).

                53. 2007 Palau Invitational Chess Championship (Sept. 15-20) Champions—Boris Michael Diez (Philippines) and Menandro Manuel.

                54. 2007-2008 Open Rapid Chess Tournament (Nov. 18, 2007-Feb. 10, 2008) Champions – Antonio Villa and Manuel Nedic (both with 23-4-3 record).

                55. 2008 Palau National Chess championship (Unfinished) April 26-Nov. 23

                     (Menandro Manuel – champion for having the most number of points).

                56. 2009 PNCC – Champion – Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr.

                57. 2010 PNCC –Champion –Menandro Manuel

                58. 2011 PNCC –Champions – Tito Cabunagan, Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. and Roberto Hernandez.

                59. 2011 Palau Invitational Chess Championship (Dec. 14-20) Champions – Joselito Marcos (Papua New Guinea) and Menandro Manuel.

                60. 2011 Invitational Blitz Chess Championship (Dec. 20) Roberto Hernandez –Champion.

                61. 2012 PNCC –Champion—Tito Cabunagan    62. 2013 PNCC –Champion –Jose Celiz (Top 10 Division); Manuel Mahor, Jr. (Reserves Division); Angelica Parrado (Women’s Division); Ksau Anthony Whipps (Junior Division).

                63. 2014 Palau Open (Group A)—Champion—Roberto Hernandez; Group B-Paquito Suringa, Jr.

                64. 2014 PNCC –Top 10 Champion—Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr.; Reserves—Gonzalo Escapatoria, Jr.; Women—Angelica Parrado; Junior Top 3 –Destiny Sisior, Angelil Sisior and Ultei Surangel.

                65. 2015 Blitz, Rapid and PNCC all won by Cyril; 2015 Top 10 Qualifier—Allan Alcid –Champion.

                The first tourney of 2016, the Lightning Chess Championship, will be held on Monday, Jan. 18, 2016 at Surangel Construction Office in Malakal at 6pm. I apologize to Rustum Cabuso, for forgetting his name in the list of possible contestants last week. Of course, he can join the tilt. He’s been inactive in the standard chess since 2013.

                 RESULTS OF 2016 ONE-DAY LIGHTNING CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP:
1. Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. ($25.00) 2. Rustum Cabuso ($20.00) 3. Jeff Balbalosa ($15.00) 4. Eugene Labarda 5. Manuel Mahor, Jr. 6. Dennis Gonzales 7.Baby Edna Mission 8. Josef Karlo Moyet 9.
Arnolfo Inres 10. Roberto Hernandez 11. Roxanne Parco 12. Destiny Sisior 13. Glen Navarroza 14. Angelica Parrado 15. Angelil Sisior 16. Eric Ksau Surangel Whipps.

Solution to last week’s puzzle No. 3801:  1. Qxg8+!! Kxg8 2. Rh8+! Kxh8 3. Bf7 mate.

This week’s puzzle No. 3821: White to move and mates in 3 (Solution next issue)

Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
               Tia Belau Newspaper
               Pages 9-10
               Volume 25
               Issue 3
              January 18, 2016


              Chess and Music (Perfect Combination)
              The Beginning of Chess in Palau
              By Roberto Hernandez
              To be published as a book in the future

              The History of Chess in Palau
              By Roberto Hernandez
              June 09, 2002 -- January 18, 2016

              Music and Me
              By Roberto Hernandez
              Tia Belau Newspaper
              March 15, 2012 -- April 2013
              http://palau-chess.blogspot.com
              April 2013 -- January 18, 2016   

(1040) RAMOS CONQUERS COMPUTER (TBN-Aug. 08-15, 2003)

MARIO Ramos, the 9th seed who notched only 2 victories and a draw in 6 games against humans, proved his chess mettle with a surprise win over Ivan II Chess Computer last Sunday in what was the biggest upset win in his chess career. 

He employed the Four Knights Defence in which a knight is sacrificed on the 15th move. He recovered the knight on the 19th move with interest (a pawn).

After the exchanges of queens and 2 minor pieces, he has three unopposed pawns on the king side that enabled him to win in 63 moves. Ramos, with a rating of 1460, thus became the lowest rated player to beat Ivan II.

 THE MOVES:
[Event "2003 Age Group Chess"][Site "Koror City, Palau"]
[Date "2003.08.03"][Round "6"][White "Ramos, Mario"]
[Black "Ivan II, Chess Computer"][Result "1-0"][ECO "C49"]
[Black Elo "2000"][Ply Count "125"]
          1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Bb4 5. O-O O-O 6. d3 d6 7. Bg5 Bxc3 8. bxc3 Qe7 9. Re1 Nd8 10. d4 Ne6 11. Bc1 Rd8 12. Nh4 g6 13. a4 c6 14. Bf1 d5 15.
Nf5 gxf5 16. exf5 Ng7 17. dxe5 Ne4 18. f6 Qxe5 19. fxg7 Kxg7 20. f3 Nxc3 21. Rxe5 Nxd1 22. Bd2 Nb2 23. Bc3 f6 24. Re7+ Kf8 25. Rxh7 Kg8 26. Bxf6 Kxh7 27. Bxd8 Bf5 28. Bf6 Nc4 29. Bxc4 dxc4 30. c3 Rf8 31. Bg5 Re8 32. Kf2 Rf8 33. Be3 b6 34. Re1 Rf7 35. h3 Bc2 36. Ra1 Rf5 37. g4 Ra5 38. h4 Rxa4 39. Rxa4 Bxa4 40. h5 Kg7 41. g5 Bc2 42. f4 c5 43. Kg3 a5 44. Kg4 a4 45. f5 Bd1+ 46. Kh4 Kf7 47. g6+ Kf8 48. h6 Bc2 49. Kg5 Bxf5 50. Kxf5 a3 51. Bc1 a2 52. Bb2 Kg8 53. Kf6 a1=Q 54. Bxa1 Kf8 55. h7 Ke8 56. Ke6 Kd8 57. Kd6 Kc8 58. Kc6 Kd8 59. h8=Q+ Ke7 60. Qe5+ Kf8 61. Qc7 Kg8 62. Qf7+ Kh8 63. Qh7#       1-0
 
In the only other completed Class A match, Ramos lost to Edgardo Enarsao, in 30 moves of Pirc Defence. 

THE MOVES: [Event "2003 Age Group Chess"]
[Site "Koror City, Palau"][Date "2003.08.03"][Round "6"]
[White "Ramos, Mario"][Black "Enarsao, Edgardo"]
[Result "0-1"][ECO "B07"][Ply Count "60"]
           1. e4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d6 3. Bb5+ c6 4. Ba4 e5 5. d4 exd4 6. Qxd4 Nbd7 7. Nf3 Qc7 8. O-O a6 9. Re1 Be7 10. e5 dxe5 11. Nxe5 c5 12. Qe3 O-O 13. Nxd7 Bxd7 14. Qg3 Bd6
15. f4 b5 16. Ne4 Nxe4 17. Rxe4 bxa4 18. Qf3 Rae8 19. Bd2 Bc6 20. Rae1 Rxe4 21. Rxe4 f5 22. Qg3 Bxe4 23. Bc3 Bxf4 24. Qh3 c4 25. Qh5 Rd8 26. h4 Qc5+ 27. Kh1 Bg3 28. Bxg7 Bxg2+ 29. Kxg2 Qf2+ 30. Kh1 Qh2#           0-1
 
Enarsao is now tied for the lead with Roberto Hernandez when the latter's opponent, Jimmy Valenzuela, showed up late in the afternoon. Enarsao totes a 5-1 win-loss record while Hernandez is 5-0.

In the Class B category, Jose Omega won his first 3 games against Ivan II, Ben Ramos and 3rd seed Mike Miguel, Jr. He also won by default over Genaro Manlaya and carry-over draw with Norbert Villanueva. Omega has taken the place of Kelvin dela Paz, who is on vacation. Dela Paz' default loss to Tutii Joe Chilton will be replayed this Sunday.

In the 12-years-and-under category, another new kid, Kelvin Cuenco, has joined the block of youngsters showing interest in the brain-challenging game.

After losing his first 4 games against Chris Domingo (1-2), Ricky Camacho (1-2), Ivan II, and Rodnnie Dizon (0-3), he won 3 default games over I. B. Misech, Michael Jordan Ngiratechekii and Dmitri Kyle Villanueva.

Domingo dealt Jayrome Soriano his 2nd loss of the tourney (2-1). He has the most wins for the day with four against 2 losses.

THIS WEEK'S PUZZLES:

    

Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
             Tia Belau Newspaper
             Pages 9-10
             Volume 12
             August 08-15, 2003

  

   

(1039) BEATING A FORMIDABLE MACHINE (TBN-Aug. 01-08, 2003)

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

(1038) ENARSAO NOW IN 2ND SPOT (TBN-July 25-Aug. 01, 2003)

THE 4th round of the 2003 Age Group Chess tournament saw Class A 7th seed Edgardo Enarsao dealing Jimmy Valenzuela his first loss in 33 moves of Queen's Gambit Declined.

THE MOVES:

[Event "2003 Age Group Chess"]
[Site "Koror City, Palau"]
[Date "2003.07.20"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Enarsao, Edgardo"]
[Black "Valenzuela, Jimmy"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D07"]
[Ply Count "65"]

1. d4 d5 2. c4 Nc6 3. e3 e5 4. cxd5 Qxd5 5. Nc3 Bb4 6. Nf3 Bg4 7. Be2 Rd8 8. O-O Bxc3 9. bxc3 Bxf3 10. Bxf3 e4 11. Be2 b5 12. a4 a6 13. Qc2 Nf6 14. Ba3 Na5 15. axb5 Nc4 16. bxa6 Nxa3 17. Rxa3 O-O 18. c4 Qc6 19. c5 Ne8 20. f3 f5 21.
Bc4+ Kh8 22. fxe4 Nf6 23. Rxf5 Nxe4 24. Rxf8+ Rxf8 25. a7 Qa8 26. Bd3 Nf6 27. e4 c6 28. e5 Nd5 29. Bxh7 Nc7 30. Bg6 Nb5 31. Qd3 Rd8 32. Qh3+ Kg8 33. Rf3           1-0

 

The tournament is sponsored by The Filipino Community in Palau (TFCP), its Vice President Sergio Alemania, Cris Gonzales and Genaro Manlaya.

Enarsao and Valenzuela are now tied at 2nd place behind unbeaten top seed Roberto Hernandez, who outsmarted Mariano Agustin, Jr. in 26 moves of French Defence.

THE MOVES:

 [Event "2003 Age Group Chess"]
[Site "Koror City, Palau"]
[Date "2003.07.20"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Hernandez, Roberto"]
[Black "Agustin, Jr., Mariano"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B00"]
[Ply Count "71"]

1. e4 b6 2. d4 Bb7 3. Nc3 e6 4. Nf3 d5 5. e5 Nc6 6. Bd3 g6 7. Be3 Nge7 8. Qd2 Qd7 9. Bb5 a6 10. Bd3 Nf5 11. Bxf5 gxf5 12. Bg5 Be7 13. h4 O-O-O 14. Bf6 Rhg8 15. Ng5 Bxf6 16. exf6 h6 17. Nf3 Rxg2 18. Qxh6 Rg6 19. Qh7 Rxf6 20. h5 Qe7 21.
O-O-O Qf8 22. Ng5 Rd7 23. h6 Rg6 24. f4 Rxg5 25. fxg5 f6 26. Qg6 fxg5 27. h7 Qh8 28. Qg8+ Rd8 29. Qxe6+ Kb8 30. Qxf5 Nxd4 31. Qxg5 Re8 32. Qh5 Re7 33. Rxd4 c5 34. Rg4 Rxh7 35. Qxh7 Qe5 36. Qh8+        1-0 

In a rare display of fine sportsmanship, Enarsao and Agustin, Jr. granted Menandro Manuel's request to play the matches each has won over him by default in the previous weeks because of Manuel's tight schedule.

The rematches didn't change the standings as Agustin, Jr. won after Manuel blundered away a knight and his queen for a bishop and 3 pawns.

Enarsao mated him on the 27th move of a Ruy Lopez (Zaitsev Defence). Before the rematches, Manuel came out of an inferior position to beat Manuel 'Jun' Mahor, Jr.

THE MOVES:

 [Event "2003 Age Group Chess"]
[Site "Koror City, Palau"]
[Date "2003.07.20"]
[Round "3"]
[White "Enarsao, Edgardo"]
[Black "Manuel, Menandro"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C84"]
[Ply Count "53"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. d4 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. Nbd2 Na5 10. dxe5 dxe5 11. Bc2 Bd6 12. Re1 c5 13. Nf1 h6 14. Ng3 Qb6 15. h3 Be6 16. Nh4 Rad8 17. Qf3 Rfe8 18. Bxh6 gxh6 19. Qxf6 Kh7 20. Nhf5 Bf8 21.
Nh5 Qc6 22. Rad1 Rxd1 23. Rxd1 Nb7 24. Qh4 Kg6 25. Qg4+ Kh7 26. Nf6+ Kh8 27.
Qg8# 1-0

Agustin, Jr. defeated Mario Ramos after the latter blundered away a bishop in the endgame of rooks and minor pieces.

Class B competition is getting tight at the top. Leader Eugene Koh managed to escaped with a draw against Ben Ramos, while Mike Miguel, Jr. won his 2nd consecutive default win over Kelvin dela Paz to tie Koh for the lead.

This week's puzzles:

Source:

Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez

Tia Belau Newspaper

Page 13

Volume 12

July 25-August 01, 2003

        

(971) Round 14, 15-Dumlao is 2-2 in Open Chess and 5-5 in Blitz (TBN-April 11-18, 2003)

         ROUND 14, 15 -- DUMLAO IS 2-2 IN 2003 OPEN
                          CHESS AND 5-5 IN BLITZ

FREDDIE Dumlao, a co-employee of Eddie Grefiel at Daewoo Corporation, scored an even wins and losses in the resumption of play in the 14^th and 15^th round of 2003 Open Chess Tournament held at Image Restaurant and Sports Bar on April 06, 2003.

                Dumlao dealt Menandro Manuel his first loss of the event but bowed to Cyril Montel, Jr. in his 2^nd game. He lost again to Jimmy Valenzuela and got an even day with a victory over Mariano Agustin, Jr.

                After the regular games are finished, a blitz competition to be known as Consul General Julius Torres Blitz Chess Festival was held with 11 participants and Dumlao scored another even night with 5 wins and 5 losses.

                Amazingly, Roberto Hernandez likewise had an even day by scoring a win over Bong Alipoon, losing to Noel Filomeno and won 5, loses 5 in the blitz competition!

                FINAL STANDINGS OF THE BLITZ CHESS FESTIVAL: (No drawn games!)

1. Julius Torres (8 wins, 2 losses) 2. Eddie Grefiel (8-2) 3. Bong Alipoon (6-4) 4. Menandro Manuel (6-4) 5. Roberto Hernandez (5-5) 6. Chito Vargas (5-5) 7. Freddie Dumlao (5-5) 8. Jimmy Valenzuela (4-6) 9. Edgardo Enarsao (4-6) 10. Cyril Montel, Jr. (4-6) and 11. Noel Filomeno (1-9).

                In gratitude to Consul General Julius Torres’ effort to popularize chess in Palau, the proceeding blitz chess contests after regular games are over will be known as Consul General Julius Torres Blitz Chess Festival. This is Consul’s last tournament as he will be assigned in the Middle East for change of post in Lebanon.

                                                          OTHER RESULTS OF ROUND 14 AND 15:

                Valenzuela was outwitted by Agustin, Jr. while Edgardo Enarsao showed more improvement in his play by clobbering Filomeno.

                Torres scored 2 default wins over Jose Misael de Jesus and Mario Ramos. 3 more default losses to De Jesus (Manuel, Alipoon and Montel, Jr.) Grefiel scored also a point by default from Ramos.

                IN THE 7^TH AND 8^TH ROUND OF CLASS B: Vargas keeps the lead with a win over Allen Kangichi and the other games are default wins by Arvie Leynes over Nilo de Jesus; Remy Mingo over Ben Ramos; Dmitri Kyle Villanueva over Amante Caballero; Vincent Vergara over Norbert Villanueva and De Jesus over Kris Ramos.

                The penultimate round of Class A will be held on April 13, 2003 with the game between Hernandez and Manuel to be played a day earlier, April 12 (Saturday) on Manuel’s day off.

                Round 9 and 10 of Class B will also be held on April 23 and final day of Class A will be held on April 20 with Grefiel still has a mathematical chance to clinch his 2^nd title depending on the results of Hernandez-Manuel match and his last 2 games against Hernandez and co-employee Dumlao.

                The final round of Class B will be held a week late on April 27. Vargas is on the verge of getting his first chess title in Palau while the 2^nd and 3^rd place is a contention between Caballero and Tutii Joe Chilton. Ben Ramos is already assured of at least 4^th place, likewise for his first chess title and trophy.

Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez

              Tia Belau Newspaper

              Pages 9-10

              Volume 11

             April 11-18, 2003

(902) CROSSTABLE OF 2003 OPEN CHESS TOURNAMENT --Jan. 12-April 27, 2003 (TBN-May 02-09, 2003)

      

  MANUEL AND VARGAS ARE 2003 OPEN       CHESS TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS

HE'S BEEN to Palau for only a few months (Dec. 2002) and yet, in his first-ever chess tournament participated in Palau, he became the 3rd different champion of the first 3 tourneys in Palau.

He joined in the the 3rd round of classification (Swiss system) and won his first game against 2002 Open champion Consul General Julius Torres.

He then drew his 2nd game against Freddie Dumlao and won the 3rd vs. another former champion (2002 All-Filipino Chess Tournament) Eddie Grefiel, co-employee of Dumlao at Daewoo Corporation.

During the round-robin Class A finals, he won 11 games, lost 2 and drew 2 to edge defending champion Consul General Julius Torres by a hairline (1/2 point).

Those who suffered the sting of his play were Torres, Cyril Montel, Jr., Roberto Hernandez, Bong Alipoon, Edgardo Enarsao, Noel Filomeno, Danny Dandoy, Mariano Agustin, Jr., Mike Miguel, Jr., Roy Rebollos and Jimboy de Jesus.

Manuel's 2 losses are from employees of Daewoo Corporation Eddie Grefiel and Freddie Dumlao. And his 2 drawn games are against Jimmy Valenzuela and Mario Ramos. 

Grefiel finished 3rd with 10 1/2 points followed by Cyril Montel, Jr. (10), Roberto Hernandez (9 1/2), Bong Alipoon (9 1/2) Edgardo Enarsao (8), Noel Filomeno (8), Freddie Dumlao (7 1/2), Danny Dandoy (7), Jimmy Valenzuela (6), Mariano Agustin, Jr. (5 1/2), Mike Miguel, Jr. (5 1/2), Roy Rebollos (4), Mario Ramos (3 1/2) and Jose Misael 'Jimboy' de Jesus (2).

Meanwhile, in the Class B Division, eventual champion Chito Vargas lost by default to Amante Caballero in the Feb. 23, 2003 2nd round encounter but Amante, in a true sportsmanlike conduct, gave Chito a rematch in the 3rd round and lost. 

That crucial victory catapulted Chito to the title with Amante having to play a sudden-death match with Tutii Joe Chilton for the 1st and 2nd runner-up finishes in the final round on April 27. Amante won to earn him his first chess title in Palau. He's one of the pioneer chess players in Palau that started its first chess tourney in June 09, 2002.

Thus, Tutii (9 points) finished 3rd and will be the first Palau player to get a chess title. Ben Ramos (8 1/2) clinched the 4th place as early as 8th and 9th round. It is also the first chess trophy of Ben, the oldest player in Class B Division at age 58. His game with 8-year-old Dmitri Kyle Villanueva was the biggest age differential of Palau chess protagonists.

FINAL STANDINGS OF CLASS B (5th-12th):
5. Norbert Villanueva (7) 6. Kris Ramos (6) 7. Allen Kangichi (6) 8. Arvie Leynes (4) 9. Dmitri Kyle Villanueva (3 1/2) 10. Nilo de Jesus (1) 11. Remy Mingo (1) and 12. Vincent Vergara (1).

The Chief Arbiter and Tournament Organizer is Roberto Hernandez, while the venue host is Roberto's employer Margarita Borja Dalton--owner/manager of Image Restaurant and Sports Bar.

Its sponsors are The Filipino Community in Palau (TFCP) and Budget Mart, who sponsored the 8 beautifully-designed trophies for the top 4 finishers in each category.

The trophies will be given on the Opening Day of the next tournament for 2003 -- The Age Group Chess Tournament, to be held from May 25-August 24, 2003.

FINAL STANDINGS

Class A

             Players                                                   Win     Loss    Draw            Total

  1. Menandro Manuel                                          11         2          2                  12

  2. Julius Torres                                                   11         3         1                   11.5

  3. Eddie Grefiel                                                  10         4          1                  10.5

  4. Cyril Montel, Jr.                                             9          4          2                   10

  5. Roberto Hernandez                                         9          5          1                   9.5

  6. Bong Alipoon                                                  9          5         1                    9.5

  7. Edgardo Enarsao                                             7          6         2                     8

  8. Noel Filomeno                                                 7          6         2                     8

  9. Freddie Dumlao                                               7         7          2                    7.5

10. Danny Dandoy                                                6          7         2                    7

11. Jimmy Valenzuela                                           5          8         2                    6

12. Mariano Agustin, Jr.                                       5          9          1                    5.5

13. Mike Miguel, Jr.                                             5           9          1                   5.5

14. Roy Rebollos                                                  2          9          4                    4

15. Mario Ramos                                                  2          10        3                    3.5

16. Jose Misael de Jesus                                       0           11       4                    2

FINAL STANDINGS

Class B

             Players                                                  Win      Loss     Draw          Total

1.      Chito Vargas                                                10         1           0                 10

2.      Amante Caballero                                          9         2           0                  9

3.      Tutii Joe Chilton                                           9         2            0                 9

4.      Ben Ramos                                                   8          2            1                 8.5

5.      Norbert Villanueva                                       6         3            2                  7      

6.      Kris Ramos                                                  6          5           0                 6

7.      Allen Kangichi                                             5         4           2                 6

8.      Arvie Leynes                                               4         7            0                 4

9.      Dmitri Villanueva                                        3         7            1                 3.5

10.  Nilo de Jesus                                               0          9            2                1

11.  Remy Mingo                                                0         9            2                 1

12.  Vincent Vergara                                           0         9            2                 1

2003 OPEN CHESS TOURNAMENT

January 12 – April 27, 2003

Sponsored by:

The Filipino Community in Palau (TFCP)

Image Restaurant & Sports Bar

Budget Mart

P L A Y E R S

           Name                                       Tel. Number                      Represented Company

  1. Roy Rebollos                                 488- 4402                        

  2. Allen Kangichi                               488-5652                         Duty Free Shop (Palau)

  3. Norbert Villanueva                         777-2017                         PNCC, ICTV

  4. Dmitri Villanueva                           777-2017

  5. Vincent Vergara                             488-2765                         Moylan’s Insurance

  6. Jose Misael de Jesus                      488-1247                         Catholic Mission School

  7. Nilo de Jesus                                  488-2302                         C & N Auto-Aircon Shop

  8. Ben Ramos                                     587-2370

  9. Kris Ramos                                    587-2370

10. Arvie Leynes

11. Eddie Grefiel                                 824- 1138                         Daewoo Corporation

12. Freddie Dumlao                             824- 1183                         Daewoo Corporation

13. Edgardo Enarsao                           587- 2642/488-6685         Orientex Garment

14. Danny Dandoy                             488-5213                           Palau High School

15. Amante Caballero                         587-6666                          Goldquest Int’l. Ltd.

16. Tutii Joe Chilton                          488-2617                           Palau Community College

17. Remy Mingo                                 488-8488

18. Noel Filomeno                              488-8025/1309                  Winchel’s

19. Roberto Hernandez                      488-3694                            Image Restaurant

20. Mario Ramos                                654-1060                           Beach Sand Company

21. Mariano Agustin, Jr.                    488-8380                            Philippine Embassy

22. Chito Vargas                                488- 1731

23. Jimmy Valenzuela                       488- 6876                           Neco Engineering

24. Menandro Manuel                       488-4498 ext. 232              Surangel & Sons Co.

25. Julius Torres                                488- 3839                          Philippine Embassy

26. Cyril Montel, Jr.                          488-8715                           Palau Pacific Resort

27. Bong Alipoon                              488-4149                           Palau Sewerage System

28. Mike Miguel, Jr.                          587-3606                           SDA School

TOURNAMENT FORMAT

1. There will be a 5-round Swiss system classification to determine the Class A and Class B bracket. The top 16 will compose the Class A and they will play a single round robin final of it and number 17 to 28 will play also a single round robin final of their own.
2. The time control is one hour for each player to finish the game. Players are required to annotate their games.
3. Registration fee is $10.00
4. The top four players in each class will receive trophies.
5. Special schedule is permitted upon agreement of both players and organizers.
6. Playing day is Sunday at Image Restaurant front area and if it rains, it can be resumed in the Sports Bar. Players and observers can order drinks and snacks to the service crew of the restaurant in pay-as-you-order condition.
7. In the penultimate and final rounds, players who didn’t show up will lose by default. If both players are absent, their game will be declared a draw by default.
8. Some players like Eddie Grefiel and Freddie Dumlao can play two games in one Sunday as they have only two Sunday offs in a month.

Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
               Tia Belau Newspaper
               Page 9
               Volume 12
               May 02-09, 2003   

  

  Chito Vargas, 4th from left, holds his championship trophy (2003 Open - Class B) and poses for a group picture before leaving Palau for good. He is now a Pastor. Others in the photo are (from left), Cris Gonzales, Mario Ramos, Mariano Agustin, Jr., Eugene Koh, Roberto Hernandez and Jose Omega.         (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)