(1489) CHESS TRAPS -- HOW TO AVOID FALLING FOR THEM (TBN-March 12, 2018)

TAKING ADVANTAGE OF PRR BUFFET PROMO

                   Eight employees of Palau Royal Resort took advantage of its dinner buffet promo every Monday, Wed. and Sat. at Waves Restaurant where I play instrumental international piano music every night except Sun. from 7-9pm and another 2 hours of keyboard music at Breeze Bar from 9-11pm. Except for Ella Asuncion, 5^th from left, who showed interest to be in the 2018 Palau Chess Team to Batumi, Georgia, all the other 7 are first timers to be featured here at Chess Mate. They are (L-R) Wilson Ledesma, Elmo Venegas, Aladin Armada, Ivana Bautista, Christine Divino, Roberto Hernandez, Lea Asuncion and Jayson Valdez.    (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

     CHESS TRAPS -- HOW TO AVOID

           FALLING FOR THEM

            Chess traps are always fun and exciting as long as you’re the one who sets it and it’s even more fun if your opponent falls into your trap. However, things are different when a trap is set for you. How to identify the traps that your opponent sets for you, so that you can avoid falling for them?

           FM Marko Makaj will teach you how to foresee the traps set by your opponent and avoid them, by showing traps like Cambridge Springs from the Queens Gambit, the Mortimer Trap from the Berlin Defense, and the Blackburne Trap (or the Legal Trap)

Here are a few important things to remember about chess traps:

1.      Traps are often led by a sacrifice.

2.      When your opponent sacrifices a pawn or a piece, ask yourself why he/she played that and what’s the idea behind it.

3.       After that, try to identify whether it’s really a trap or simply a blunder (wrong sacrifice).

4.      Trust yourself – if you don’t see a trap, then don’t be afraid to accept the sacrifice from your opponent.

Solution to last week’s puzzle No. 4373: 1. …Qxg2+!! 2. Nxg2 Nf3+ 3. Kh1 Rxh2#

This week’s puzzle No. 4374: Black to move and mates in 3 (Solution next issue)

Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez

               Tia Belau Newspaper

               Pages 9-10

               Volume 27

               Issue 22

               March 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 -- March 12, 2018

              The History of Chess in Palau 

              By Roberto Hernandez

              June 09, 2002 -- March 12, 2018

(1480) MUSIC AND ME (Dec. 07, 2017) I'VE GOT MY US VISA FOR 10 YEARS IN ONE WEEK

THE FIRST QUESTION OF THE INTERVIEW
     When I was interviewed, the first question is "How long have you been in Palau?" My answer is "26 years in Feb. 04, 2018". And she is surprised that I have never applied for US visa before and it's the first time I applied.


           I'VE GOT MY U.S.A. VISA
      FOR 10 YEARS IN ONE WEEK

     With a wish to attend the Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ (4th Watch) Pacific Area Fellowship (Camp) in Saipan, I was urged by the couple Bro. Gilbert Navarro and Sis. Loriz Singca Navarro to get USA visa. Sis. Loriz asked the Saipan Pastor to send us invitation letter to be used for getting USA visa. It didn't come and I proceed getting it without that letter hoping that my Australian, Russian, Turkish, Schengen and Azerbaijan visas will be enough to get one.

    The mother of my chess/piano student Nicholas Nehez, Jennifer, gave me a new card of her with a link https://pw.usembassy.gov/ and I started to fill up the application form online.

     My first photo was not accepted. As well as the 2nd one, which needs a little more lighting.

    I go to photo shop and had a photo taken by a professional. I scanned it (the 2x2 photo) and when I upload it, it was accepted and I've got the confirmation letter.

    I asked Jennifer if I can be interviewed on Tuesday, Feb. 13 but she said she will be in Koror and preferred to do it on Feb. 15, Thu.

     I will be having a new chess students, an American mom, Marilyn Krake, and her 2 kids, on that day and I have to reschedule it for the next Thu. Feb. 22 because of the interview.

     When I teach Nick chess/piano on Valentine's Day, Wed. Feb. 14, the confirmation of my interview is set at 8:30 am, on Feb. 15.

     I have prepared for this interview with my 6 passports, my old bank accounts (passbooks) since 1992, a letter from Social Security Administration that my monthly SS pension has been increased by $8.08.

     At the gate and security area, I met there again Roger T. Bluestone, the Local Guard Force Commander of the United States of America U. S. Department of State. I met him first on Sat. Feb. 10 at Waves Restaurant of Palau Royal Resort, where he is having a dinner with his Filipino wife Dolly and Ben Asuncion, the father of Ella, the PRR's General Manager Secretary.

    Roger's wife requested me "To Love Again" or the classical piece "Nocturne", followed by Love Story and As Time Goes By. We have 2 photos taken at the piano.

Roger T. Bluestone, right, his wife Dolly, me and Ben Asuncion.

I told them that I will be playing another 2 hours of instrumental music at Breeze Bar and they proceed there and sit near the keyboard.

We were surprised that Dolly can sing Spanish songs! like "Historia de un Amor", "Amor, Amor, Amor", Besame Mucho, etc. where she sings without microphone but she doesn't have stage freight. She sings with confidence like a professional singer and she even knows what key her songs to be played by me.


I sang her requested songs at Waves Restaurant -- Love Story and As Time Goes By. She likes "This Masquerade" and "The Girl from Ipanema".

They enjoyed the night and later, the place is becoming full of guests, mostly Chinese/Taiwanese and a group of Filipino. They thought that there is live entertainment there!
Ben Asuncion offered me a drink and I ordered a glass of red wine. An hour later, another glass of red wine was given to me this time from Dolly and Roger.

They enjoyed that night that we are planning to set a date for the same ambiance of music at the same place or a private place. I said I will bring the keyboard if it's is outside Palau Royal Resort.

Dolly's last song is really good--"I've Got You Under My Skin", where a few singers can sing that song with emphasis like what she did. She said she haven't sung for 10 years.

Roger videoed some parts where his wife is singing and Jennifer told me that she watch that video at the Embassy and it is excellent.

After showing at the entrance my confirmation ID, they took my cellphone and keys as part of security system. While escorting me to Jennifer, Roger said, "Don't be nervous. You can pass the interview easily."

 Marj took my 3 passports so that those will be reviewed. And I paid $160.00, which can't be refunded if I would be denied getting USA visa.

And I'm not surprised that Jennifer is the one doing the interview. As mentioned earlier, her first question is how long I've been to Palau. She said, "You are very well traveled. I don't see any reason why we can't give you USA visa."

Since 2009, I've traveled yearly to Philippines and Australia that year; to Russia and Philippines in 2010 for World Chess Olympiad in Khanty-Mansiysk; to Philippines again with my wife Flor in 2011; by myself in 2012 World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey with Palau Chess Team members Menandro Manuel and his wife Elizabeth, and Bernardo Garcia, who earned a CM title, Palau's first; to Philippines again with Flor in 2013; to Tromso, Norway for 2014 WCO where Palau has a complete line-up of players in the Open and Women's section. The Schengen visa in going to Norway can be used at any other 26 European countries accepting Schengen visa; to Philippines again in 2015 vacation with my wife; an electronic visa at the 2016 World Chess Olympiad in Baku, Azerbaijan with teammates Allan Alcid, Paquito Suringa, Jr., Jeff Balbalosa, Dennis Gonzales, Head of Delegation CM Joselito Marcos and Delegate FA Eric Ksau Surangel Whipps; in Philippines again for our every-two-years vacation with Flor in 2017 using my new passport being issued in Philippine Embassy in Agana, Guam's consular mobile services.

Jennifer also asked me, "You have never applied for USA visa before?" I said, yes. In 1998, when we have $12,500.00 in bank account, many told us to get USA visa. With that amount of money in the bank, you can get USA visa easily. I added that, "what will I do after getting it? I will get USA visa at the right time. And this is the right time to get one."

Jennifer also asked about my daughter--that she graduated high school here in Palau (at Mindzenty) and took nursing in 2004, graduated in 2009 and passed the Nursing Board Exam earlier in that year.

Jennifer gave me a small piece of paper with a date --02-22-2018 to get the visa at 2:30 pm (Thursday).

When we are buying the ticket for my trip to Saipan for 2018 Pacific Area Fellowship on Feb. 23-25, 2018, there is a conflict with the date as I will be leaving at 1:45am on Thu. and the visa will be given to me at the same day but in the afternoon. We voided that ticket and I text Jennifer if I can get it earlier next week. She said, "I think it's done. I'll check with Marj."

I was able to get the visa after teaching Yars Tmechtul from 10-11 am in their house, which is just 20 meters from the Embassy. After getting it, I look and it's 10 years (Feb. 15, 2018-Feb. 14, 2028)! Valentine's Day in 2028 (the expiration date)








Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
               Tia Belau News
               December 29, 2002 -- February 18, 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 News
              March 15, 2012 -- April 18, 2013
              http://palau-chess.blogspot.com
              April 25, 2013 -- February 18, 2018

              The History of Chess in Palau
              By Roberto Hernandez
              June 09, 2002 -- February 18, 2018

(1404) MUSIC AND ME (May 25, 2017) PRR Phil. Independence Day Buffet Dinner

For 3 consecutive years, Palau Royal Resort celebrated the Philippine Independence Day at Waves Restaurant featuring native Filipino dishes and desserts.

It is always a hit with local, foreign and Filipino guests with the first 2 celebrations having cultural dances performed by talented staff dancing "Karinyosa" and "Tinikling" (Bamboo Dance). This time, F & B Manager Mervin Lee Cuyugan asked me to play all-Filipino songs.

Before 8pm, an American family is finished having their dinner. On their way to the exit door, one of the children (young girl) of the American couple asked me is she can play a couple of songs and I let her play the piano with me taking photos of her and my co-employees Ella Asuncion, Malou Victoria, Remelyn Esmeralda Pascual, Ella's dad Ben Asuncion, former co-employee Danika, MIS Harry Lai, his daughter Yolanda, etc.

While the girl is playing piano, I talked to the American couple. I asked where they come from and he said "Florida". I told her that my wife's name is Florida.

Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
               Tia Belau Newspaper
               December 29, 2002 -- July 23, 2017

               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--July 23, 2017

             The History of Chess in Palau
             By Roberto Hernandez
             June 09, 2002 -- July 23, 2017

(1341) MUSIC AND ME (Dec. 22, 2016) Playing Music at PRR CHRISTMAS PARTY on DEC. 17, 2016

The Indonesian National Traditional Dance performed by staff of Mandara Spa of Palau Royal Resort.

Some of the staff taking photos of dance performance are Rodney Yakuchil (sitting), Nancy Hung and Mr. Watanabe, who performed last year wearing lady's dress and the most entertaining among others with GM Masayuki Kawaguchi, F & B Manager Mervin Lee Cuyugan, HR Manager Bob Hsiao and Chief Engineer Tony Penas in what appears to be the highlight of the 2015 PRR Christmas party.
                                                  (All photos here are by Roberto Hernandez)

The Palauan Traditional Dance perform by staff of HR (Security personnel), Laundry and Rooms Division.

Ma'am Michelle Liao with Maria Fe Bruto receiving a certificate for working at PRR for 5 years.

The Filipino Traditional and National Dance perform by staff from HR, Accounting, Cafteria, Gift Shop and F & B.

The top 2 finishers are waiting for result, which is very, very close tabulation from the judges.

The Filipino group celebrates for winning over Palau group by just 1 percentage vote.

The prize of $350.00 were given to the Filipino group; $300.00 to the Palau group and $250.00 to the Indonesian group.

Queen and King of the night -- from Mandara Spa and Kenny Uludui, Chief of Security.

Best costume by HR Manager Bob Hsiao.

Mr. Joraku, Director of Sales and Marketing Department, won $200.00 cash prize and generously donated it to be raffled again at 4 $50.00 cash prize.

Dancing time.

Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
                 Tia Belau Newspaper
                 December 29, 2002 -- February 01, 2017

                 Music and Me by Roberto Hernandez
                 Tia Belau Newspaper
                 March 15, 2012 -- April 18, 2013
                 http://palau-chess.blogspot.com
                 April 25, 2013 -- February 01, 2017

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