(1637) ROBERTO HERNANDEZ -- Palau's 2nd FIDE Arbiter (FA) TBN-March 18, 2019

: PALAU’S 1^ST AND 2^ND FIDE ARBITER (FA)

                    During the Awarding Ceremony of 3 previous tournaments, Palau’s first FA Eric Ksau Whipps, who gained his FA title in 2013 at the World Youth Chess Championship in Al Ain, UAE, awarded the certificate of getting an FA title to me. Thanks to all the support from players, organizers and the rest. Next on target is Jennifer Angeles, who is the Chief Arbiter of the ongoing 2019 PRCC. It’s 5^th and 6^th round on Sun. March 17, 2019 at Bethlehem Park.    (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

         ROBERTO HERNANDEZ ---

      Palau's 2nd FIDE Arbiter (FA)

A letter from FIDE dated March 12, 2019 at 09:18 Title FIDE Elista Office titles@fide.com wrote: “Dear Sirs, Please be informed that the decision on title application by the 1^st quarter PB 2019 which was held in Astana, KAZ on 4-6 March are as follows: FA Roberto Hernandez – YES    Thank you, Best regards, Baira Marilova, Elista FIDE Office.  A separate letter also state: “Dear All, Congratulations for your newly titled arbiter!

                In the other email, the fee for this title is 60 euros, 40% cheaper than my FIDE Instructor title gained in 2014 for 2 years. It was renewed in 2016 at World Chess Olympiad in Baku, Azerbaijan for another 4 years for 60 euros. As promised by newly elected FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich, the fees to FIDE had been reduced 40%.

                In the 2014 World Chess Olympiad in Tromso, Norway, Red Dumuk from the Philippines, is an FA assigned at that Olympiad. It’s an automatic International Arbiter (IA) norm if an FA became an Arbiter in a tournament with more than a hundred participants.

                Likewise in the 2018 World Chess Olympiad in Batumi, Georgia, where I am the Team Captain of Palau’s Women Team, FA Yilderim Yucel from Turkey is our Arbiter in the 9^th round where we swept the Togo team with Joan Gemota at Board 1 prevailing over Kosife Esse Akija; Angelil Sisior over Ivana Claudia Eyram de Souza; WFM Angelica Parrado nipping Sename Ave Maria Dzoglo and Angelica Magno outwitting Ama Edoh.

                The next World Chess Olympiad is in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia again in 2020 (Aug. 1-14). They hosted the 39^th WCO in Sept. 19 –Oct. 04, 2010. It was the most organized Olympiad ever that’s why when they bid at 2016 WCO, they won easily. My prospect for this Olympiad is—if I would not qualify for that Olympiad and I would be invited by FIDE to be one of the Arbiters there, I will accept it to gain an IA norm and maybe get my final norm in the 2022 WCO in Minsk, Belarus.

                Jennifer Angeles is the Chief Arbiter of the ongoing 2019 Palau Rapid Chess Championship with 31 participants, including her, to make it one of the prospective FA norms and maybe she will get the 3^rd Palau FA title within this year for being the arbiter of 2019 PNCC to start on the last Sunday of June. If she would not qualify for 2020 Russia WCO, and FIDE would invite her to be one of the arbiters in that Olympiad, she would happily accept it as the date is summer vacation. The date of the 2018 World Chess Olympiad in Batumi, Georgia is just 2 weeks where the school started so she was not allowed to go by the principal of Palau Missionary Academy (PMA), where she teaches chess in Palau first Chess in School that started in Aug. 30, 2017.

GOOD LUCK, JENNIFER!



PAIRINGS AND RESULTS OF ROUND 5 & 6 OF 2019 PRCC:

ROUND 7 PAIRINGS: 

STANDINGS AFTER 6 ROUNDS:

                Solution to last week’s puzzle No. 3484: 1. f8=R!! Kd6 2. Rd8#

                This week’s puzzle No. 3486: 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 22

               March 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 -- March 18, 2019

              The History of Chess in Palau

              By Roberto Hernandez

              June 09, 2002 -- March 18, 2019

(1633) ROBERTO HERNANDEZ--PALAU'S 2nd FIDE Arbiter

ROBERTO HERNANDEZ --

Palau's 2nd 

FIDE Arbiter

Roberto Hernandez, middle, receiving the certificate of being a FIDE Arbiter during the awarding ceremony on Feb. 10, 2019 at the residence of Eric Ksau Whipps, left, who is the first FIDE Arbiter of Palau that he obtained during the 2013 World Youth Chess Championship in Al Ain UAE. The official news from FIDE about the confirmation of the title was reported a month and 3 days later (March 13, 2019).

The nice Rock Islands background complements the occasion for the two FIDE Arbiters. 

Roberto receiving the certificate for finishing 3rd in the 2018 Palau National Chess Championship with bronze medal going with it. 

Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
               Tia Belau Newspaper
               December 29, 2002 -- March 13, 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 13, 2019

              The History of Chess in Palau
              By Roberto Hernandez
              June 09, 2002 -- March 13, 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

               

                   

(1623) 3 AWARDING ON FEB. 10; BOBOT, JEFF, RUSTUM WON 2019 PBCC; My 27th Year in Palau Today 2/4/2019 (TBN-Feb. 04, 2019)

: FLAVIN ANDRES—INACTIVE FOR 13 YEARS

                  I invited Flavin “Matlab” Andres, left, to join the 2019 PBCC when I met him at Surangel’s Super Store. He’s been inactive for 13 years and I thought this is the right time for him to be active again. When he comes at the venue, he had the Tia Belau issue where I featured him with “Flavin Will Be Active Again”. He tried to solve the mate in two moves puzzle there but because the tourney started sooner, he was not able to give me the correct solution. He’s a little rusty but was able to score 4 points in 9 rounds. It’s amazing to note that all the players that he had beaten are women players –Baby Edna Mission, Allyza Igharas, Wakako Sisior and Jennifer Angeles! He is now the 195^th FIDE rated member of PCF with an initial blitz rating of 1222. He lost to Manik Hossain, right, in the 5^th round.                                           (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

          3 AWARDING ON FEB. 10;

     BOBOT, JEFF, RUSTUM -- WON 

                       2019 P.B.C.C.;

           MY 27th YEAR IN PALAU

             TODAY (Feb. 04, 2019)

The long-awaited awarding of the last 3 major chess tournaments in Palau will finally be held at Eric Ksau Whipps’ residence in Malakal on Feb. 10, 2019 starting at 4pm. Among the recipients of medals and gift certificates are the top 3 finishers of the 1^st Surangel Chess Team Tournament--champion Angelo Salvadora’s team, 2^nd Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. team and 3^rd—Rustum Cabuso’s team.

                The 2018 PNCC Top 3 are Bobot Tan, Cyril and me. The recently concluded 2019 Palau Blitz Chess Championship concluded in Jan. 27 with record-breaking 36 participants.

 .             Bobot Tan dominated Palau chess in the last couple of years and did the same in the 2019 Palau Blitz Chess Championship held after being postponed twice on Jan. 27 at Ernguul Park. Jeff Balbalosa finished 2nd and Rustum Cabuso, 3rd among 36 record-breaking turn-out of participants. Angelo Salvadora is 4th while Cyril Tomas Almitante-Montel, Jr., Dennis Gonzales and Samuel Palingcod are tied from 5th-7th. 

                 Angelica Morales Magno was the total surprise of the event with 5.5 points for solo 8th place. Ten players are tied from 9th-18th with 5 pts.: Tito Cabunagan, Manuel Mahor, Angie Sisior, Manik Hossain, Angelito Mintar, Charley Patris, Remrel Dizon, Morton Sawaichi, Michael Adette Gulla and Rommel Ramon Gulla. Another 9 players are tied from 19th-27th: Gonzalo Escapatoria, Glen Navarroza, Jello Aguaras, Destiny Sisior, Gian Gabriel Claronino, Flavin Andres, whose been inactive for 13 years, Bheng Codinera Mendoza, Gian Paloma, and Brandon Kyle Soriano.

         Joan Gemota is at solo 28th with 3.5 points. Five more players are tied from 29th-33rd with 3 points each--Kyarii Sisior, Jennifer Tubtub, Aome Jacob Angeles, first timers Mary Jane Bojo and Jedidia Marinas. At 34th-35th are the other 2 newcomers Mary Grace Capili and Wakako Sisior. Without a point is chess neophyte Allyza Igharas at 36th.

       As per Board Meeting of PCF, a gold medal will be given to the top performing newcomer—my guitar/chess student Brandon Kyle Soriano. Another gold medal to the biggest improvement in the new FIDE rating (Standard) will be given to my guitar/chess/ukulele student Angelica Magno for getting an additional 80 rating points in the FIDE ratings list in January 2019.

                Today, Feb. 04, 2019, I will be working in Palau for 27 years. There’s a link of me being in Palau for 26 years http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2018/02/1477-26-years-in-palau-in-feb-04-2018.html  Another link in 2017 http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2017/03/1356-music-and-me-feb-02-2017-my-25th.html

                This is a very memorable 27^th year in Palau for me as I’ve got 10-year USA visa in Feb. 2018 and used it right away within a week when I attended the Pacific Area Fellowship of Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ (4^th Watch)in Saipan and later in Batumi, Georgia’s 2018 WCO where there is no need to apply for Georgian visa if you have a USA visa. It is also the year that I was the Team Captain of Palau Women’s Team in the 2018 World Chess Olympiad in Batumi, Georgia where Palau got its first Woman FIDE Master (WFM) in Angelica Parrado’s conquest of scoring 6 points in 9 games for an outright WFM title and Palau’s 2^nd Candidate Master (CM) title to Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr.

                Solution to last week’s puzzle No. 3830: 1. Qa5+!! Kxa5 2. axb7+ Kb6 3. b8Q#

                This week’s puzzle No. 3831: White to move and mates in 3 (Solution next issue)

Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez

               Tia Belau Newspaper

               Pages 9-10

               Volume 28

               Issue 10

               February 04, 2019

(1619) MAJORITY DECISION -- Repeat the 2019 PB.C.C. in Jan. 27 (TBN-Jan. 28, 2019)

TEN CHESS NEOPHYTES IN THIS 2019 PBCC

               This is the first time in Palau Chess History that 10 neophytes are participating in the 2019 Palau Blitz Chess Championship. One of them is my church mate at Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ (4^th Watch) Palau Locale Allyza Igharas, right, who is 10 years old and the same age as my guitar/chess student Brandon Kyle Soriano. The other 8 are Mary Jane Bojo, Mary Grace Capili, Dave Cristobal, Bernard Hilario, Dedidia Marinas, Ikaka Mariur, Wakaka Sisior and Paul Tucker. Allyza is also a caroling warrior, who always come with us in caroling (day or night) esp. when it is Christmas break from school.       (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

          MAJORITY DECISION ---

          Repeat the 2019 P.B.C.C. 

                     in Jan. 27

When I set the pairings for Round 1 of 2019 PBCC, I didn’t notice that it is the 3^rd round that was played after I put in the results. It caused confusion but because of lack of time (4:30 pm) to avoid playing in darkness, we resume with Round 4 as Round 2 and hoped that there will be Round 10 and 11. But there is none and we played the Round 2 as the round 8 and the missing Round 1 was referred to Palau’s Rating Officer IA, IO Jamie Kenmure.

                His first option is to play the 9^th round with his generated pairings according to the current standings to be played within 4 days at any place and time that is convenient to the players. But a poll has been made and majority prefers to have it replayed on Jan. 27. Jamie sent to me his Swiss Perfect file for more accurate results and pairings consistency. He has 39 players in his list with the addition of 4 new players that Angie Parrado had invited to join. It makes an even 40 with the addition of Gian Paloma, and maybe his father Rafael, too. Eugene Labarda, while on vacation in Philippines, commented on Facebook that we wait for him. He came back on Jan. 25 and I invited him. Baby Edna Mission, Neph Macasaet, Gladys Paloma, Paquito Suringa, Jr., Joel Gemota, Gabriell Garcia, Luciano Sibayan, Elizalde Madrinan, Leif Toribiong are still welcome to join. They are requested to come early to settle their dues.

                This is the list of participants: 1. Tan Jr, Santiago (1868) 2. Cabunagan, Tito (1777) 3. Montel Jr, Cyril Tomas (1776) 4. Cabuso, Rustum (1695) 5. Mahor Jr, Manuel (1658) 6. Gonzales, Dennis (1631) 7. Balbalosa, Jeffrey (1615) 8. Salvadora, Angelo (1607) 9. Escapatoria, Gonzalo (1603) 10. Dizon, Remrel (1596) 11. Parrado, Angelica (1580) 12. Palingcod, Samuel (1567) 13. Mintar Jr, Angelito (1554) 14. Hossain, Mohammad Manik (1529) 15. Sisior, Destiny (1500) 16. Aguaras, Jello (1465) 17. Gemota, Joan (1433) 18. Sisior, Angelil (1387) 19. Navarroza, Glen (1382) 20. Gulla, Michael (1379) 21. Nehez, Nicholas (1357) 22. Reklai, Reece (1345) 23. Patris, Charley (1284) 24. Sawaichi, Morton (1206) 25. Angeles, Jennifer (1182) 26. Sisior, Kyarii (1148) 27. Magno, Angelica (1129) 28. Paloma, Gian (1073) 29. Angeles, Aome 30. Bojo, Mary Jane C 31. Capili, Mary Grace B 32. Cristobal, Dave 33. Gulla, Rommel 34. Hilario, Bernard 35. Igharas, Allyza 36. Marinas, Dedidia D 37. Mariur, Ikaka N 38. Sisior, Wakaka 39. Soriano, Brandon Kyle 40. Tucker, Paul

                Another poll was taken to have the 1 year membership fee for juniors to be $10.00 and it has to be paid before being allowed to play and not after the tournament.

                Solution to last week’s puzzle No. 3829: 1. Qxg7+!! Kxg7 2. Bf6+ Kg8 3. Nh6#

               This week’s puzzle No. 3830: White to move and mates in 3 (Solution next issue)

Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez

               Tia Belau Newspaper

               Page 9

               Volume 28

               Issue 12

               January 28, 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 -- January 28, 2019

              The History of Chess in Palau

              By Roberto Hernandez

              June 09, 2002 -- January 28, 2019

        

(1608) SINGLE ROUND-ROBIN FOR WOMEN; DOUBLE ROUND-ROBIN FOR JUNIOR (TBN-Dec. 10, 2018)

      MAYA BOWLING-MY CURRENT PIANO            STUDENT; CHESS LESSONS IS NEXT

                Maya’s dad Tom told me that he played a lot of chess before. He is from the place where I represented Palau in the 2009 Oceania Zonal Chess Championship (Brisbane and Gold Coast, Australia). He and his wife Tatiana are very happy that Leif ‘Baba’ Toribiong’s been a member of Palau Chess Team in the 2018 WCO in Batumi, Georgia. Tom and Maya were amazed when I told them that there is a totally blind chess player in 2009 Gold Coast Open that won 3^rd place in his division.  (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

SINGLE ROUND-ROBIN FOR WOMEN;

DOUBLE ROUND-ROBIN FOR JUNIOR

          A few days before the 6th round of 2018 PNCC, Bobot Tan and Gonzalo Escapatoria played their game and Bobot prevailed. The same with Tito Cabunagan and Angelito Mintar, Jr. because Tito is having a vacation. In the actual day, Cyril Tomas Almitante-Montel nipped Paquito Suringa Jr. while Samuel Palingcod outsmarted Glen Navarroza

          I defeated Neph Macasaet with Jello Aguaras clobbering Charley Patris; Manik Hossain scored another win by touting Remrel Dizon. And finally, Reece Reklai dealt Morton Sawaichi his 6th straight losses. The women's section is now a double round-robin (12 rounds). Aome Jacob Angeles played 3 games winning 1 and losing 2. Jennifer Tubtub also played and the 3rd Batch of PMA Chess in Schools started on Dec, 4 with their blitz tournament among 14 participants.

          ROUND 7 PAIRINGS: (First name to play white) 1. Glen vs. Bobot 2. Cyril vs. Jeff 3. Jojo vs. Pax 4. Angel vs. Jun Mahor (1-0) 5. Tito vs. Sam 6. Angelito vs. Dennis 7. Me vs. Charley 8. Jello vs. Manik 9. Morton vs. Neph and 10. Remrel vs. Reece.

 I just check my old notes and found out this from Jamie Kenmure, Palau Ratings Officer:

            RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR ALL                         TOURNAMENTS IN PALAU

        I am writing this document so all players can help organizers in the running of smooth events for all Palau tournaments starting in 2017 and beyond. Below is a list of things that needs to be done by organizers and players: Players must confirm if they are playing in an event 48 hours (2 days) prior to the event starting as this will help in setting up the tournament files.

       If you are a new player, please provide your name as in passport (First and last name only) along with your Date of Birth so the Rating’s Officer (Jamie Kenmure) can issue you with a FIDE ID immediately.

If there is any game in a tournament that is not played it will be treated as a +- or -+ depending on who could not make the game. When there are only 6 players for a tournament, the tournament will be played only as a Single Round Robin. All events must be registered 21 days prior to the event (this only applies to organizers).

 The time control for all classical tournaments except the Open section of the National tournament shall be 60 minutes + 30 seconds. In the case where all players are under 1600 rating, the tournament will have a time control of 30 minutes + 30 seconds.

Rapid time controls shall be 15 minutes + 5 seconds. Blitz time controls shall be 3 minutes + 2 seconds.

Both for Rapid and Blitz if it is a round robin, it shall be Single Round Robin unless there is only 6 players and then it may be played as a Double Round only by the request of all players and organizer. This can only be for 6 players in a tournament and only for Rapid and Blitz tournaments.

       These are rules that should be adopted as this will clearly set out everything and players and organisers will know exactly what is what. If a classical tournament has 4 players only, then a double round robin (DRR) can be used but only for 4 players. Yours truly, Jamie Kenmure, PCF Ratings Officer.

        With this useful information, the Women’s Division will be a single-round robin among 7 players as Gladys Anne Paloma, Tau’o Ngirmeriil and Benerica Daligdig didn’t show up to pay their dues.

        This is now the standings after all completed games were compiled: 1. Angelica Parrado (4 wins, 0 draw, 0 loss) 2. Angelil Sisior (3-0-1) 3. Angelica Magno (3-0-3 Final Standings) 4. Destiny Sisior (2-1-1) 5. Joan Gemota (0-2-2) 6. Jennifer Angeles (0-1-2) 7. Baby Edna “Bheng” Mission (0-0-2).

        REMAINING GAMES OF WOMEN DIVISION (Round Robin): 1. Bheng vs. Destiny 2. Angie vs. Joan 3. Jennifer vs. Bheng 4. Angelil vs. Jennifer 5. Angie vs. Destiny 6. Bheng vs. Angelil 7. Bheng vs. Joan.

                REMAINING GAMES OF JUNIOR DIVISION (Double Round Robin): 1. Gian vs. Rommel 2. Rommel vs. Gian 3. Gian vs. Aome 4. Aome vs. Gian 5. Kyarii vs. Aome 6. Aome vs. Kyarii

                

               Solution to last week’s puzzle No. 3494: 1. Qg4 Qd5+ 2. R3xd5# If 1. …Qxg4 2. R3d5#

                This week’s puzzle No. 3495: 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 98
               December 10, 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 -- December 10, 2018

              The History of Chess in Palau
              By Roberto Hernandez
              June 09, 2002 -- December 10, 2018