(1648) HOW CHESS CONQUERED NORWAY

HOW CHESS CONQUERED NORWAY

     During their Yuletide vacation in Europe, my chess/piano student Nicholas Nehez torn some pages of The New York Times International Edition dated November 24-25, 2018. His mom Jennifer said to give it to me as it is about chess.
     Nick, who is my most thoughtful student, gave me a souvenir gold plated Eifel Tower key chain which they bought in France. They later proceeded to Madrid, Spain for their first holiday in Europe.
     The article is really fascinating that it turns chess as a cool game to a non-playing chess country after the emergence of 4-time world chess champion Magnus Carlsen, who defended his title for the 4th time. He defeated Viswanathan Anand of India twice, Sergey Karjakin of Russia in New York in 2016 after the World Chess Olympiad was held in Baku, Azerbaijan where the Norwegian Chess Team finished a surprising 6th place in that Olympiad. Palau participated with only an Open team of Paquito Suringa, Jr. (Board 1), Allan Alcid (Board 2), Jeff Balbalosa (Board 3), me at Board 4/Team Captain and Dennis Gonzales as Board 5/Reserve. Our Team Captain when I am playing is my BFF CM Joselito Marcos, who is also the Head of Delegation.

Carlsen's 4th defense of his world champion title is against Fabiano Caruana, the former No. 1 chess player of Italy and changed federation to USA. He was born in Bronx, New York.

I have compiled all World Championship matches since Steinitz-Zukertort in 1886 up to Carlsen-Caruana in 2018....

http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2018/10/1595-world-championship-matches-from.html

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

               The History of Chess in Palau
               By Roberto Hernandez
               June 09, 2002 -- March 29, 2019

(1546) CHESS AND MUSIC--Pioneering The Game in a Tiny Nation (TBN-July 16, 2018)

ALL IN THE FAMILY

          The chess playing Hernandez family (L-R) Roberto, who won 15 titles in Palau including blitz, rapid and standard, daughter Karen, who participated in 2002 All-Filipino Chess Tournament—Top Junior Best Scorer and 2004 Non-Master Chess Tournament—1^st Runner-up in the Junior Division; and wife Flor, the Women’s Division Champion of 2006 Ambassador Marino Rapid Chess Tournament.

                                              (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

CHESS AND MUSIC --Pioneering the game in a tiny nation

               (Interview by Windsor John Genova-The International Filipino Magazine (Dec. 2009)

                  Koror, Palau – “On Feb. 04, 1992, I started to work in Palau as a keyboard player of Tropical Depression Band. Unfortunately, the band lasted only six months and I became the musician and Disc Jockey (DJ) of Image Restaurant for 13 years. For 11 months, I was the keyboard player of Rose Garden Resort and 11 months also as pianist at Dragon Tei and its 2 other Japanese restaurants. I am now the musician of Palau Royal Resort since June 01, 2007. I will be 54 years old on Jan. 02, 2010.

            I started playing chess in the early '70's and I was taught by a 7-year old boy (Rene Crisostomo), who always put out his queen early in every game. When I got better, I played and practiced with his uncle, the founder of Hagonoy Chess Club in Bulacan. In 1990, I participated in the Philippine National Chess Championship and was seeded 218th with a rating of 1800. The top six finishers of that event represented the Philippines in the biannual World Chess Olympiad.

            I was the champion of the Palau 2003 Senior and Junior Chess tournament and co-champion of the inaugural 2006 Ambassador Marino Cup. I scored 3 points in the 2006 Palau Invitational Chess Championship to get my international FIDE (World Chess Federation) rating of 1830. The first ever chess tournament in Palau was organized by me and The Filipino Community in Palau Vice President Sergio Alemania. It was held on June 09, 2002 with 20 players participating (4 of them are women). It inspired me to see how many good players Palau has and still continue to do it for the love of the game.

            I was elected chairman of the Knights and Rooks Chess Club (Palau) on Sept. 15, 2002 and Secretary/Treasurer of Palau Chess Federation. I have all the records of all my games in all tournaments held in Palau and some records of other players who annotate their games. In the 2005-2006 Rapid Chess tourney, I was the only one who wrote my games score despite the 30 minutes time control.

            In the recently concluded Paquito Suringa Cup at the Palau Royal Resort, I also wrote my moves.The Palau Chess Federation has been a member of FIDE since 2005. We can participate in FIDE sanctioned tourneys and get ratings of local players if our tournament is FIDE rated like the ongoing 2009 Palau National Chess Championship.

          The main problem in organizing this kind of tourney is the players' job schedule. That's why I applied the most flexible chess game schedule in the world. Players can play any day that they are available either at the tournament site or at PRR. The first one of the most memorable chess experience was in the late '70's or early '80's when I played a friendly game against Asia's first Grand master (GM) Eugene Torre at Alemar's Bookstore in Makati. He is promoting his book 'Beyond the 13th Move" but I bought that book a week before. I took another book on the shelves "Asian Zonal '72 Champion: Torre" and asked him to sign it. During our game, I won a whole rook but forgot the safety of my own king and Eugene really showed how good he is.

           The most memorable of my chess career was when I represented Palau to the Oceania Zonal Chess Championship in Australia. I socialized with 4 GMs, more than a dozen International Masters (IM), FIDE Masters, Candidate Masters and other players from Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands. I experienced first-hand how these masters played and discovered young and promising players of all ages. It truly improves my approach to the game of kings.

         My third most memorable experience is my game with Juice Juice at chess.com where I was about to resign if he found the mate in two moves. He didn't! I still hanged on even with only 2 pawns against his rook and a pawn. When he resigned, that game became my best win among my more than 100 games. His rating is 2200. My mission is to continue promoting chess in Palau especially to the kids as they are the future of this game. And maybe Palau can have its own FIDE Master, IM or even GM in the future. I want also to participate in the World Chess Olympiad. We came close to competing in 2006 in Turin, Italy and 2008 in Dresden, Germany but failed due to financial constraints. We'll try again in 2010 in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia.”

                The 13 players that I have registered for the 2018 WCO in Batumi, Georgia had been accepted by the organizers. We are advised to arrange our travel as early as possible to save cost on airfare where the Turkish Airlines is the official airline of the Olympiad.

                Solution to last week’s puzzle No. 3841: 1. Qxg7+!! Kxg7 2. Bh6+! Kxf6 3. g5#

                This week’s puzzle No. 3842: 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 56
               July 16, 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 -- July 17, 2018

              The History of Chess in Palau
              By Roberto Hernandez
              June 09, 2002 -- July 17, 2018

             The International Filipino
             Volume 1
             No. 2
             December 16-31, 2009

(1539) 800th ISSUE OF CHESS MATE (TBN-July 02, 2018)

OUTSTANDING OFW IN 2012 FOR MUSIC AND PROMOTION OF CHESS IN PALAU

                  Philippine Ambassador to Palau Ramoncito Marino and his wife Issa posed with Roberto Hernandez after the awarding of medals and certificates to the other 15 Outstanding OFWs in Palau during the 111^th Declaration of Philippine Independence on June 12, 2009. The generous Ambassador sponsored $1,000.00 cash prizes twice for 2006 and 2007 chess tournaments in Palau. He is also a good pianist and prefers to play Filipino songs.

     800th ISSUE OF CHESS MATE

This 800^th issue of Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez is a selection of the best 25 issues according to the page views on Palau Chess Federation website http://palau-chess.blogspot.com

                At least 300 page views for this Top 25 Issues of Chess Mate:

1.       http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2012/01/first-issue-of-chessmate-by-roberto.html

2.       http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2012/11/did-kasparov-cheat-polgar-in-94-tbn-apr.html

3.       http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2011/12/marcos-manuel-co-champions-of-3rd-piicc.html

4.       http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2012/02/palau-chess-federation-has-208-members.html

5.       http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2014/01/2-day-visit-to-palau-by-geoffrey-borg.html

6.       http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2012/03/fil-oz-lady-is-champ-july-27-aug-02.html

7.       http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2012/07/4-palau-chess-team-members-granted.html

8.       http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2012/12/torre-asias-first-grandmaster-tbn-june.html

9.       http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2012/06/unbeaten-no-more-gancayco-is-class-b.html

10.   http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2012/03/outstanding-ofw-in-palau-awardees-june.html

11.   http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2012/08/pastrana-escapes-with-draw-billah.html

12.   http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2015/01/chessmate-marks-12th-year-with-its.html

13.   http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2012/06/enarsao-lagumen-now-lead-class-b-tbn.html

14.   http://palau-chess.blogspot.com.au/2015/09/1078-dr-alfredo-paez-confirmed-to-3rd.html

15.   http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2011/12/marcos-family-coming-to-palau-for-chess.html

16.   http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2012/03/getting-russian-visa-tbn-aug30.html

17.   http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2014/01/ksau-cup-drew-24-players-roberto.html

18.   http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2012/03/filipino-hospitality-in-australia-aug.html

19.   http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2012/07/sen-mlib-to-2014-norway-chess-olympiad.html

20.   http://palau-chess.blogspot.com.au/2015/09/1065-10-years-of-palau-joining-fide-tbn.html

21.   http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2012/07/simul-vs-jamie-kenmure-anyone-tbn-feb.html

22.   http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2012/06/palau-registrered-43-move-countries.html

23.   http://palau-chess.blogspot.com.au/2014/04/geoffrey-borg-is-back-conducted-fide.html

24.   http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2013/08/special-games-tbn-aug-12-2013.html

25.   http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2012/07/mercado-nips-garcia-and-dittrich-on-to.html

The new Palauan chess players being invited to the 1^st Surangel Team Tournament are still on “vacation mode” according to Jennifer Angeles. Nobody has confirmed yet.

Solution to last week’s puzzle No. 3839: 1. Qxh7+!! Kxh7 2. Rh3 Kg7 3. Be7#

This week’s puzzle No. 3840: White to move and mates in 3 (Solution next issue)

Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez

               Tia Belau Newspaper

               Page 9

               Volume 27

               Issue 58

               July 02, 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 -- July 02, 2018

               The History of Chess in Palau

               By Roberto Hernandez

               June 09, 2002 -- July 02, 2018

(1482) TITO QUALIFIED TO BATUMI AS PLAYER; THE LEAST TO BE TEAM CAPTAIN (TBN-Feb. 26, 2018)

: 

CEREMONIAL FIRST MOVE OF 2018 PALAU BLITZ CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

          The mother of my piano/chess student, did the ceremonial first move of 2018 PBCC with another Jennifer (Angeles) to start the fun and enjoyable first tourney of the year. 24 players participated with Bobot Tan adding another feather in his cap, followed by Jun Mahor and Rustum Cabuso. Angie, as usual, is top woman player while newcomer Michael Gulla upended reigning Palau junior champion Angelil Sisior for his first chess medal in Palau.

                                                                                             (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

  TITO QUALIFIED TO BATUMI AS PLAYER;

      THE LEAST TO BE TEAM CAPTAIN

Tito Cabunagan was in Japan during the final round of 2017 Palau National Chess Championship. He made it to the Top 4 in this qualifying tilt for the composition of Open Team to the 2018 World Chess Olympiad in Batumi, Georgia. Thus, he qualified as a player with Board 1 as the best position for him. He has played vs. GMs like Eugene Torre and Darwin Laylo in 2015 Guam International tourney where he defeated FIDE Master Ignatius Leong.

                He played vs. good international players in the DATMO Malaysian Open together with AFM Jeff Balbalosa and last year with WNM/DI Angelica Parrado in the Oceania Zonal Chess Championship in New Zealand.

                That’s why when he volunteered to be the Team Captain of Open Team to Georgia so that Angelo Salvadora  would be included in the team, he is breaking the essence of having the 2017 PNCC the qualifying event for PLAYERS ONLY. If you would volunteer to be team captain, you must have at least one of the criteria of having played in the Olympiad to have a “feel” of what’s going on because you will be playing against the best in the world.

                When I and Tito represented Palau in the 2010 WCO in Khanty-Masiysk, Russia, we were not able to play because we are short of one player to be allowed to play which means, we haven’t played a single Olympiad game. In 2012 WCO in Turkey, I was able to play 11 straight games at Board 1 there because we don’t have a reserve player. In 2014 WCO in Norway, at Board 1 again, I played 9 games and in the 2016 WCO in Baku, Azerbaijan, 9 games as well and Team Captain. Palau finished 163^rd being seeded 163^rd—the best placed finished by Palau team so far. We are 168th in 2014 World Chess Olympiad in Tromso, Norway.

                Overall games that I played in Olympiads is 29 while next to me as one of the most qualified to be a team captain is National Instructors (NI) Jeff and Dennis Gonales who have 18 each, NI Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. has 9 and Developmental Instructor (DI) Paquito Suringa, Jr. has 9 as well. Woman DIs Parrado, Baby Edna Mission and Gladys Anne Paloma also have 9 games played each in Olympiad. NI Eric Ksau Surangel Whipps has been Women’s Team Captain in 2014. Tito got ZERO which makes him the least choice to be team captain of any Palau team.

                Whatever reason(s) Tito is volunteering as Team Captain of the Open Team, whether it’s personal vendetta, mutiny, enviousness and the likes are not good for unity within PCF.

                I have the highest title among Palau players—FIDE Instructor (FI) which means I can teach chess to any of 189-member countries of FIDE unlike the rest that can teach chess only in Palau. I have 8 international chess students, 6 ukulele, 6 piano and 3 guitar students.

                BOBOT, JUN, RUSTUM, ANGIE, MICHAEL GULLA-- WINNERS OF 2018 PALAU BLITZ CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP...

          24 players (17 of them rated) participated in 2018 PBCC held on Feb. 18 at Ernguul Park. The event started with a ceremonial first move between Jennifer Tubtub Angeles and the mother of my piano/chess student .

          After 9 rounds of fun and competitive blitz chess, Bobot Tan emerged as champion with undefeated slate of 9 straight victories, followed by Manuel Mahor and Rustum Cabuso. They received gold, silver and bronze medal respectively.

          Angie Sisior won the women's best scorer and Michael Adette Gulla was the surprising winner among junior players. They received a gold medal each. He scored the shortest victory in 7 moves over Gladys Anne Francisco Paloma. Cyril Tomas Almitante-Montel is 4th followed by Angie, Me, Angel Salvadora, Paquito Suringa Jr. and Michael Gulla are 6th-9th spot.

          Bheng Codinera Mendoza is 10th and the come-backing Mohammad Manik Hossein finished 11th. Gian Gabriel Claronino is 12th while my chess/guitar student Angelica Morales Magno is 13th. Newcomer Pedro Parmisano, Angelil Sisior, him, Gladys, Kyarii Sisior and Jennifer were tied at 14th-19th spots respectively. 

          At 20th is Aome Angeles followed by Rommel Gulla. Wilson Barrameda left after scoring 2 pts. His remaining games were all default losses, so did to Elizalde Madriñan, 24th place. Gian Paloma is 23rd. CONGRATS TO ALL!!!

          Solution to last week’s puzzle No. 3799: 1. Qh8+!! Kxh8 2. Nxf7++ Kg8 3. Nh6#

          This week’s puzzle No. 3801: White to move and mates in 3 (Solution next issue)

Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez

               Tia Belau Newspaper

               Pages 9-10

               Volume 26

               Issue 14

               February 26, 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 -- February 26, 2018

              The History of Chess in Palau

              By Roberto Hernandez

              June 09, 2002 -- February 26, 2018

               

(988) CHESS TOURISTS IN RUSSIA (TBN-Oct. 11-17, 2010)

CHESS TOURISTS AND THEIR RUSSIAN TOUR GUIDE
         Roberto Hernandez, left, and Tito Cabunagan, right, is flanked by their Russian tutor (guide) Jane Kikki before entering at Hotel Olympic in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia. The duo represented Palau in 2010 World Chess Olympiad but didn't play a single game due to 3-player minimum requirement for a team.                               (Photo by: Joselito Marcos)


     CHESS TOURISTS IN RUSSIA

           PALAU FIRST participation in a World Chess Olympiad almost came to reality but fell short of one player to make it. Roberto Hernandez and Tito Cabunagan were the only 2 that made it to Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia. Despite the odds and extra unforeseen costs of travel, these determined chess players were able to survived the rigid process of entering the Russian territory.

A minimum of 3 players for a team can participate in an Olympiad which was imposed in 2008 Dresden, Germany Olympiad. The duo tried to pursue their Australian team captain to play to meet the 3-player requirement. At first, he was asked to pay 1,000 euros up-front. It is not possible because he is listed under Australia and changing federation will take a few months and fees depend on one's rating.

The only hope now will be on Jan Berglund, Palau Delegate to the 81st FIDE Congress. The 64-year old Swedish Olympiads veteran could not show any stamp in his passport that he has been to Palau at least once to be able to  participate as player, press and Delegate.

In the middle of the 15-day tournament, Hernandez and Cabunagan just enjoyed the extra-ordinary experiences of watching top chess players of the world play under pressure, have photo session with top Grandmasters, Arbiters, FIDE president, excursion trips around the area, free food, hotel room, tour guide, bus rides, free internet, socializing with people of different cultures, AND Russian hospitality.

Many observers saw that this Olympiad is the best-organized ever. The host of the next Olympiad (Istanbul, Turkey) admitted that it is very hard to surpass the accommodation that Khanty-Mansiysk has shown.

The 1,300 invited participants were check-in in twin Hotel Olympics, which opened just for the event. In Dresden, Germany Olympiad, the top players and their delegation were booked in 5-star hotels while the lowly rated teams were booked in less rated hotels.

Hernandez was able to see all 11 rounds of play in the men's and women's division except one when he attended the Asian Continental Meeting with Mr. Berglund. In that meeting, he was able to vote for Asian countries that are willing to host Asian chess events for the year 2011 and 2012. Chinese Taipei will host some events for the first time.

In the final round, Hernandez met Prospero 'Butch' Pichay, a Congressman and president of National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) while taking a video of Phil. Women's team final round against Indonesia.

The Philippine Head of Delegation invited Hernandez for a coffee with Toti Abundo, Deputy President of Asian Chess Federation at the VIP Room. They were joined by Asia's first Grandmaster Eugene Torre and American Walter Brown.

When asked about the qualification to join the Turkish team, Walter said, "You must be below 30 years old to be in the team." Mr. Pichay asked Eugene what is the Philippines team's standard to be in the team. Eugene's reply made everybody laugh, "To be in the team, you must still have an erection!"

Mr. Pichay informed Hernandez that he wants to improve chess in Palau. He will visit Palau by using his private plane (Cessna) sometime this year or early next year. He will send also some promising players to get a base in Palau so that in the next Olympiad, there will be no shortage of players.

He also invited the woman Grandmaster of Russia sitting alone next to their table to play in one of Philippines Open tournaments.

At the end of the Olympiad, Ukraine emerges as champion. In Calvia, Spain 2004 Chess Olympiad, Ukraine was the champion. In the 2006 Torino, Italy and 2008 Dresden, Germany Olympiads, Armenia won the titles.

Russia fielded 5 teams in the men's division and 3 in the women's where Russia 1 won the women's division followed by China, many times Olympic champion.

Russia 1 was runner-up in the men's section and Israel won the bronze. The Philippines men's team have a chance to land in the top 10 had they swept the Estonian team in the final round but lost 2.5-1.5 and finished 50th among 144 nations.

At the closing ceremony,Turkey presented their invitation video for hosting the 2012 World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul in August while Tromso, Norway will hold the 2014 World Chess Olympiad in Aug. 1-14.

The Russian trip is just one of the best experiences that Hernandez is proudly sharing. The best thing that ever happened to him is the renewing of his friendship with Joselito Marcos, Papua New Guinea's top player. The generous Tolitz (his Russian nickname) gave him more than financial support but moral and academic as well.

He downloaded Chess Base 9 to Hernandez' laptop that includes 4 million chess games from Mega Chess Base. Bernard Garcia can't do it after 3 months of repeated requests but Tolitz did it in just 2 days.

A teacher, arbiter, quick decision maker, with natural diplomatic approach, good sense of humor and a very gentleman, he's the darling of many. He recognizes the faces of even the old and new chess celebrities in the world. His passion for original and hardbound books is shown in his collection of books.

He teaches Hernandez how to read Russian. One of his unique characteristic is that he writes his chess notation in every game since 2000 in Russian!

The trio of Hernandez, Lito and Tito Cabunagan made their Russian trip an unforgettable moment. Maybe they will meet again in Rotoura, New Zealand, Istanbul, Turkey or Tromso, Norway.

      ***Joselito made it in New Zealand, missed the Turkey Olympiad due to health reason and made it again in Norway as official Delegate to vote in the election.



  Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
                 Tia Belau Newspaper
                 Pages 13 & 15
                 Volume 19     
                 Issue 41      
                 October 11-17, 2010

(926) THE NEW 2005 KING OF CHESS (TBN-April 13, 2015)

:    TOPALOV IN ACTION IN ISTANBUL OLYMPIAD

                   Roberto Hernandez has met former world chess champion Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria in 3 consecutive Chess Olympiads --2010 Russia, 2012 Istanbul, Turkey and 2014 Tromso, Norway. Likewise, with Michael Adams of England, right, Asia’s first GM Eugene Torre and another former world champion Vladimir Kramnik of Russia.                                             (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

   THE NEW 2005 KING OF CHESS

                                               (Veselin Topalov)

BULGARIA’S Veselin Topalov clinched the world title on Thursday, October 20, 2005 in San Luis, Argentina, with one game left in the exciting double round-robin tournament.

The final standings: Topalov, 10 points; Viswanathan Anand of India and Peter Svidler of Russia, 8 ½ points; Alexander Morozevich of Russia, 7 points; Peter Leko of Hungary, 6 ½ points; Rustam Kasimdzhanov of Uzbekistan and Michael Adams of England, 5 ½ points;  and Judith Polgar of Hungary,  4 ½ points.  Anand finished 2^nd on a tiebreaker because he won more games than Svidler.

British GM Nigel Short hailed the FIDE tournament as one of “the most thrilling chess spectacles of recent decades.” Topalov, he added, “has given an exhibition of such virtuosity that it looks doubtful, at the halfway stage, that he can be stopped. The comparisons are not with Garry Kasparov—merely the greatest chess player ever—but with Bobby Fischer, the only modern giant capable of such thorough annihilation.”

Topalov won six games in the first seven rounds and drew the rest of the games in the second half, emerging as the tournament’s only undefeated player. Yet, GM Lubomir Kavalek noted, Topalov was willing to risk defeat in many games. “He toyed with the minds of the other players, convincing them that he was prepared to go where they feared to tread. Whether his risks were calculated or created on the spot, they had the desired effect on his venerable rivals.”

There will be a meeting of all chess players on Sunday, April 12, 2015 at 3pm at Bethlehem Park to discuss the next tournaments – Blitz, Rapid and National Championship.

Palau chess players who have FIDE Blitz ratings are 1. Roberto Hernandez (1776) 2. Angelica Parrado (1585) 3. Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. (1785) 4. Nilo de Jesus (1615) 5. Gonzales (1671) 6. Eugenio Pastrana (1584) 7. Jaime dela Cruz (1497) 8. Paquito Suringa, Jr. (1625) 9. Mohammad Manik Hossain (1558) 10. Elpidio Manaligod (1591) 11. Jeffrey Balbalosa (1551) 12. Dan Roldan (1342) 13. Jose Celiz (1835) 14. Paz Ngiratechekii (1264) 15. Ksau Anthony Whipps (1450) 16. Eric Ksau Surangel Whipps (1281) 17. Remrel Dizon (1596) 18. Eugene Labarda (1641) 19. Rafael Paloma (1695) 20. Gladys Anne Paloma (1474) 21. John Joseph Pabiona (1616) 22. Alfredo Pacenos, Jr. (1703) 23. Herbert Galiza (1562) 24. Crisaljo Mel John Banaga Ulap (1401) 25. Jo-Arl Cris Banaga Ulap (1341) 26. Allan Leuterio (1501) 27. Joseph Osorio (1241) 28. Ohjea Mae Figueroa Perdon (1242) 29. Roxanne Parco (1145) 30. Nengeos Naruo (1171) 31. Berni Dambo (1114) 32. Nasser Onyango (1024) 33. Kayah Iblai Flores Whipps (1050) 34. Francois Millimono (1000) 35. Surangel Whipps, Jr. (1679) 36. Surangel Ngirchebangel Whipps (1375) 37. Richard Facturanan Villar (1679) 38. Algen Huinda Sareno (1649) 39. Abner Sanchez (1609) 40. Jose Labro (1569) 41. Tamae Adachi (1569) 42. Jennifer Anson (1559) 43. Joseph Frescino (1539) 44. Arnold Lansang Undecimo (1435) 45. Melvin Molana Parinas (1375) 46. Matthew Lawson (1048) 47. Nelson Sisior (1018) and 48. Tito Cabunagan (1813).

                Active Palau chess players who don’t have FIDE Blitz ratings: 1. Glen Navarroza 2. Manuel Mahor, Jr. 3. Menandro Manuel 4. Morton Sawaichi 5. Jaime dela Cruz 6. Ma. Florida Hernandez 7. CM Bernardo Garcia 8. Rustum Cabuso 9. Gonzalo Escapatoria, Jr. 10. Angelil Sisior 11. Destiny Sisior 12. Geoff Martin 13. Baby Edna Mission 14. Cyrelle Ann Montel 15. Ultei Angelie Surangel 16. Joey Jaime Balute 17. Christopher Kitalong 18. Peter Eric Magbanua 19. Jade Ngirasob Mariur 20. Charley Patris 21. Tuloy Rengiil 22. Jose Senase Rodriguez 23. Neph Macasaet 24. Marcial Santander 25. Felix Oling 26. Nelson Sablan 27. Leif Toribiong and 28. Robert Godwin Sola.

                Blitz chess ratings of Palau chess players have been dormant for about 2 years. This is the time to improve the ratings of the number of players who also excel in speed chess.

Solution to last week’s puzzle No. 3739: 1. Qe6+ fxe6 2. Bxe6+ Nxe6 3. Nxe5 mate.

This week’s puzzle No. 3740: White to move and mates in 3 (Solution next issue)

Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez

             Tia Belau Newspaper

             Pages 9-10

             Volume 24

             Issue 30

             April 13, 2015