(1491) 32 PHOTOS OF COME-BACKING MORTON SAWAICHI (5 TOURNAMENTS FROM 2004-2005)

This was the first tournament that Morton Sawaichi, left, has participated, the 2004 Open Chess Tournament sponsored by Filco Thrift Mart in Malakal operated by Nestor Canaria, the father of Den Canaria, 3rd from left, who is also a first time participant as well as Joel Azana, right.
                                                           (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

The banner "2004 OPEN CHESS TOURNAMENT EVERY SUNDAY @ FILCO THRIFT MART 1:00-5:00 PM --START OCT. 11" was made by me during me and my wife Flor vacation in Philippines. I bought a small red and dark blue paint and used an old Bud Light banner. When I put it at Filco Thrift Mart, I let it stay there for a week till the next round. The "TOURNAMENT" letters were deteriorating because of heat so I used a whole part of a blue duct tape to make it looked like a machine-printed letters. Morton, right, is playing vs. Joel while Eddie Grefiel, the eventual champion, is playing the 2004 Non-Master champ Jess Toldoya, with the host/trophies sponsor of that tilt Lin de Guzman, 2nd from left, watching their game.      (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr., middle, shakes hand with Mariano Agustin, Jr. before their game with Morton waiting for his opponent. Cyril struggled in this tourney but made it to the Class A division.
(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

Bong Alipoon, right, lives just right across the venue, showing sporting gesture before the start of his game vs. Roberto Hernandez. Later that year, the place hosted the next tournament with Bong staying some late nights with players to practice and socialize.

The 2004 Rapid Chess Tournament is the best start ever by Morton, winning his first 2 games.

Morton vs. Ivan II Chess Computer.

Gene Pastrana vs. Morton Sawaichi. Gene lives also just across the road and hosted the 2005-2006 Rapid chess tilt.

Morton vs. 62-year-old Mariano Agustin, Jr. while eventual champion Eddie Grefiel looks on. When we play our game, Eddie writes the moves also saying, "It's unfair if you are the only writing the moves so I'll write our moves, too." A very good sporting gesture from a real gentleman. Many players took advantage of my "do all things" to extract a full point from me as I am not focus entirely to my games by being the chief arbiter, setting of all equipment, writing chess notations when the tournament time control is at least 30 minutes, getting the results of all games, deciding quickly when there are complaints, taking photos for future references, etc. (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

2005 Regular Chess tournament at Image Restaurant and Sports Bar which was later moved to Privilege Store in Malakal as the new venue which is good for Morton, who is playing against Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. here as next to the store is the bar where Morton works as bouncer.

First timer Ronald Maomay vs. the talking and taunting Ivan II chess computer while Morton is in deep thought against Gene Pastrana. The poster "Knights and Rooks Chess Club" has the names of all the players embedded since June 09, 2002,

Players practice blitz chess while waiting for the awarding of trophies/cash prizes of the just concluded 2004

Morton vs. youngster Em-R de Vera in the late afternoon match.

Morton vs. compatriot Tutii Joe Chilton in a game that won Morton $50.00 as Brilliancy game wherein he donated $20.00 for Palau Chess Federation to be able to pay its yearly membership fee to FIDE of 600 Swiss francs (or $480.00).

Morton with 2nd venue host Artemio Navarette.

Morton receiving his certificate of participation from me during the 2006 Palau National Chess Championship where Manny Nedic and Menandro Manuel became Palau's first and 2nd National Master (NM).

Morton vs. Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. while Jess Toldoya is watching. The games were played at the parking lot of Jean's Boutique and Store operated by Gene Pastrana, which later become the venue host of succeeding Palau tournaments.

Morton receiving another certificate from me.

Morton receiving the $50.00 Brilliancy game from Roswell Macapagal, co-owner of the sponsor of trophies and cash T-Shirt Printing Atbp.

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

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

(1203) MONTEL, JR., ETI SURGING; PALAU CHESS FEDERATION -- Non-Profit Organization -- April 11, 2006

FIRST ROUND OF 2006 PNCC -- CYRIL VS. MORTON
     3rd seed Cyril Montel, Jr., middle, ponders his next move against Palauan bet Morton Sawaichi in the 1st round of 2006 Palau National Chess Championship. Eleventh seed Jess Toldoya watches the game being held at the parking area of Jean's Boutique and Store, operated by Gene Pastrana, first time venue host.
                                       (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)


          MONTEL, JR., ETI SURGING; 
                          PALAU CHESS FEDERATION ---
    Non-Profit Organization --April 11, 2006 
  

AFTER subduing one of Palauan bets Morton Sawaichi in the 1^st round of 2006 Palau National Chess Championship, 3^rd seed Cyril Montel, Jr. surges in the standings after clobbering 6^th seed Manny Nedic in 41 moves of Ruy Lopez (Norwegian and Delayed Schiliemann Variations) to stay undefeated in the 3^rd round of play on Sunday, April 02, 2006 at Jean’s Boutique and Store. Cyril didn’t play in the 2^nd week in which only 3 games were played.

                THE MOVES: Montel, Jr., Cyril (2140) - Nedic, Manuel (2020) [C70]

2006 PNCC (3), 02.04.2006

          1. e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 b5 5.Bb3 Na5 6.c3 Nxb3 7.Qxb3 d6 8.0–0 Be6 9.Qd1 Be7 10.d4 f6 11.Nh4 Qd7 12.d5 Bg4 13.f3 Bh5 14.Nf5 Bf8 15.Ng3 Bg6 16.a4 Ne7 17.Be3 f5 18.Bf2 f4 19.Ne2 Bh5 20.axb5 Qxb5 21.Qa4 Qxa4 22.Rxa4 Nc8 23.Nd2 Be7 24.Rfa1 0–0 25.Rxa6 Rxa6 26.Rxa6 Be8 27.c4 Bg5 28.g4 fxg3 29.Nxg3 Bg6 30.Ngf1 h5 31.h3 Bh7 32.Be3 Bxe3+ 33.Nxe3 g5 34.Kg2 Kf7 35.Nf5 Rh8 36.b4 Bxf5 37.exf5 Nb6 38.Ra7 Rc8 39.Kf2 Nd7 40.Ne4 Nb6 41.Nxd6+          1–0

            But 7^th seed Edwin Eti is the solo leader after touting Roberto Hernandez in 32 moves of Danish Gambit, for a perfect 3-0 start in a double round-robin event among 12 Palau top chess players.

                THE MOVES: Hernandez, Roberto (2134) - Eti, Edwin (1941) [C21]

2006 PNCC (2), 02.04.2006

           1. e4 e5 2.d4 exd4 3.c3 dxc3 4.Bc4 d6 5.Qd5 Qe7 6.Nxc3 Nf6 7.Qb5+ c6 8.Qg5 Be6 9.Bxe6 Qxe6 10.f3 Nbd7 11.Nge2 Be7 12.0–0 0–0 13.Nf4 Qe5 14.Qg3 Kh8 15.Be3 Nh5 16.Nxh5 Qxh5 17.Bd4 Ne5 18.f4 Bh4 19.Qh3 Ng4 20.g3 c5 21.Bf2 g5 22.f5 Rg8 23.gxh4 gxh4 24.Bg3 Nf6 25.Nd5 hxg3 26.Qxh5 gxh2+ 27.Kxh2 Nxh5 28.f6 Rg6 29.Rf5 Ng3 30.Rf4 Rag8 31.Ne7 Nf1+ 32.Rfxf1 Rh6#          0–1

            Eti previously defeated Nedic and 2^nd seed Jose Omega, who drubbed venue host and 8^th seed Gene Pastrana in the first game of the day. Earlier on Saturday, April 01, 5^th seed Jimmy Valenzuela and

Omega played their game and resulted in Omega having a 1-1 day as Jimmy beat him in an unspecified number of moves and what defence they’ve used because they didn’t give to Roberto the score sheet.

                After the completion of 3 games of the 3^rd round, a blitz chess contest was held between idle top seed Menandro Manuel, Roberto, Edwin, Cyril and Gene. The double round-robin competition was won by Roberto after finishing half point ahead of Menandro and Edwin.  

BLITZ CHESS CONTEST

April 02, 2006

Double Round Robin

                    Players                                                             Win    Loss   Draw      Total

1. ROBERTO HERNANDEZ                                        5         2         1             5.5

1. 2. EDWIN ETI                                                               5         3         0              5
2. 3. MENANDRO MANUEL                                           4         2         2              5
3. 4. CYRIL MONTEL, JR.                                               3         5         0              3
4. 5. GENE PASTRANA                                                   1         6         1              1.5

            Roberto and Francis ‘Sno’ Temaungil worked together to have Palau Chess Federation being listed as a Non-Profit Organization and it bears fruit as the Government of Palau issued the license on April 11, 2006 and signed by Palau President Tommy Remengesau, Jr.

Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez

              Tia Belau Newspaper

              Pages 9-10

             Volume 15

             Issue 1

            April 07-14, 2006

(1170) JESS, JOSE, EDWIN, CYRIL, BOY WIN ON OPENING DAY (TBN-March 24-31, 2006)

FIRST GAME OF 2006 PNCC -- TOLDOYA VS. GONZALES
     Jess Toldoya, left, nipped Dennis Gonzales in the Opening Round of the 2006 Palau National Chess Championship held at the premises (parking area) of Jean's Boutique and Store on March 19. It's the first ever National Championship in Palau with the winner to become the first National Master of Palau.
                                           (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)



JESS, JOSE, EDWIN, CYRIL, BOY 
   WIN ON OPENING DAY
    

THE OPENING DAY of the first Palau National Chess Championship produced some stunning victories by top seeds with 11^th seed Jess Toldoya whipping 10^th seed Dennis Gonzales and 2^nd seed Jose Omega subduing 4^th seed Roberto Hernandez in 34 moves of Sicilian Dragon (Yugoslav Attack).

THE MOVES: Hernandez, Roberto (2134) - Omega, Jose (2157) [B75]

2006 PNCC (1), 19.03.2006

           1. e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Be3 Bg7 7.Bc4 a6 8.f3 Nc6 9.h4 Nxd4 10.Bxd4 Qc7 11.Bb3 Be6 12.g4 Bxb3 13.axb3 e5 14.Be3 h5 15.g5 Nd7 16.Qd5 Nb6 17.Qa5 0–0 18.Bxb6 Qd7 19.0–0–0 Rac8 20.Nd5 Rc6 21.Nf6+ Bxf6 22.gxf6 Rfc8 23.Rh2 Qe6 24.Bd8 Qxb3 25.Qd2 Kh7 26.Be7 Qa2 27.c3 Rb6 28.Qd5 Qa1+ 29.Kd2 Qxb2+ 30.Ke1 Qxc3+ 31.Kf2 Kg8 32.Rd3 Rb2+ 33.Kg3 Qe1+ 34.Kh3 Qf1+       0–1

                Third seed Cyril Montel, Jr. trounced one of Palauan bets 9^th seed Morton Sawaichi with 7^th seed blitz specialist Edwin Eti clobbering 6^th seed Manny Nedic.

                Venue host and 8^th seed Gene Pastrana bowed to top seed Menandro ‘Boy’ Manuel and Sawaichi and Gonzales played their 2^nd round game with the latter prevailing in the last game of the day, March 19, 2006.

                THE MOVES: Pastrana, Eugenio (1938) - Manuel, Menandro (2139) [C45]

2006 PNCC (1), 19.03.2006

          1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Nxd4 5.Qxd4 d6 6.Bc4 Qf6 7.Qd1 Qg6 8.Qf3 Nf6 9.Nc3 a6 10.a4 Be7 11.h3 0–0 12.0–0 Nd7 13.Bf4 Ne5 14.Bxe5 dxe5 15.Rfd1 Be6 16.Bd3 c6 17.b3 Kh8 18.Kh1 Bc5 19.Ne2 f5 20.Rf1 fxe4 21.Qxe4 Qxe4 22.Bxe4 Bxf2 23.Kh2 Be3 24.Rad1 Bc5 25.Ng3 g6 26.Ne2 Kg7 27.Nc1 Rxf1 28.Rxf1 Rf8 29.Rxf8 Kxf8 30.Kg3 Ke7 31.Kf3 Bd5 32.g4 Ke6 33.Nd3 Be7 34.Nf2 b5 35.axb5 cxb5 36.Nd3 a5 37.Nc1 a4 38.bxa4 bxa4 39.Bxd5+ Kxd5 40.Ke2 e4 41.Na2 Bf6 42.Kd2 a3 43.Nb4+ Kc4 44.Na2 Bg5+ 45.Ke2 Kd4 46.Kd1 Ke3 47.c4 Kd4 48.c5 Kxc5 49.Kc2 Kd4 50.Kb3 Be7 51.Nc1 Ke3 52.Kc2 Kf2 53.Kb3 e3 54.Ka2 e2 55.Nd3+ Kf1 56.g5 e1Q 57.Nxe1 Kxe1 58.h4 h5           0–1

                After the regular games were finished, the remaining players set up a blitz chess competition among 8 players –Manuel, Montel, Jr., Hernandez, Nedic, Eti, Pastrana, Jimmy Valenzuela (who arrived late and didn’t play a single game in the opening round) and Bong Alipoon, who will skip this tourney because he’s having a vacation in Philippines. Jose Omega didn’t participate because he is working without a day off for 8 years. His employer took it literally (the word “day off”). According to him, Jose is day off every day because he works at night time (from 6pm-2am) so he is day off all day long. Jess Toldoya also skipped this blitz tourney.

                After 7 rounds of this single round-robin event, Nedic and Eti emerged victorious with an identical 5 points total with Nedic scoring 5 wins, 2 losses and no draws while Eti had 4 wins, a loss and 2 draws. Hernandez and Alipoon finished tied at 3^rd and 4^th with 4 wins and 3 losses slate.

                Valenzuela is at solo 5^th with 3-3-1 record with Montel, Jr. at solo 6^th with 3-4-0 card. At 7^th is the off form Manuel, who had 2-4-1 for 2.5 points while the 12^th place position belongs to venue host Pastrana with 0-5-2 record.

                The elected Palau Chess Federation Chairman Francis ‘Sno’ Temaungil didn’t play a single game on opening day. He will catch up next week and will try to play at least 2 games.

Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez

             Tia Belau Newspaper

             Pages 9-10

            Volume 15

           Issue 13

           March 24-31, 2006

               

MORE PHOTOS ON OPENING DAY:

(1168) 2006 PNCC TO START MARCH 19 (TBN-March 17-24, 2006)

VENUE HOST AND PARTICIPANT
                Gene Pastrana, right, is receiving his trophy as the Most Improved Player from Knights and Rooks Chess Club (Palau) Chairman Roberto Hernandez before the start of 2006 Palau National Chess Championship where Gene is hosting from March 19-August 08. He is also a participant in this event.
                                             (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)



2006 PNCC TO START MARCH 19

HOSTED by Gene Pastrana, the 2006 Palau National Chess Championship will fire off on March 19 (Sunday) at Jean’s Boutique and Store just across the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Games will start at 1pm with some games to be played late in the afternoon because of varying job schedules of many participants.  There will be no Women’s or Junior Division as there were not enough women and junior players to participate here.

                The time control (using mechanical chess clocks) is 90 minutes for each player to finish the game. Writing chess notations in either English or Algebraic is mandatory. Roberto Hernandez is the Organizer, Chief Arbiter and also a participant, with Pastrana as his Deputy Arbiter.

                The champion of this event will become the first National Master of Palau.  He will become also the first player to participate outside Palau if he can afford the airfare and accommodation of such prestigious tournaments like Oceania Zonal Chess Championship, Asian Chess Federation tournaments and an automatic member of Palau team to any World Chess Olympiads.

                The succeeding National Championships’ champions will likewise be Palau’s next NM. This single round-robin event would become double round-robin depending on the number of participants.

                The possible participants and their national ratings are:

1.  Menandro Manuel                                                        2159
2.  Jose Omega                                                                     2157
3.  Bong Alipoon                                                                  2155
4.  Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr.                                                 2140
5.  Roberto Hernandez                                                       2134
6.  Jimmy Valenzuela                                                          2059
7.  Manuel Nedic                                                                 2020
8.  Ivan II Chess Computer                                                 1974
9.  Joel Azana                                                                       1944
10. Edwin Eti                                                                         1941
11. Jose Misael de Jesus                                                     1939
12. Eugenio Pastrana                                                          1938
13. Morton Sawaichi                                                           1913
14. Dennis Gonzales                                                            1911
15. Joeven delos Santos                                                      1892
16. Felix Lapitan                                                                    1886
17. Jess Toldoya                                                                    1883
18. Rodiante Balagso                                                           1881
19. Jess Gomez                                                                      1855
20. William Blasquino                                                           1812
21. Gerry Sermeno                                                               1810
22. Tutii Joe Chilton                                                              1771
23. Francis Temaungil                                                          1767
24. Flavin Andres                                                                  1720
25. Ernie Mijares                                                                   1712
26. Rogelio Menor                                                                1708
27. Em-R de Vera                                                                  1708
28. James dela Cruz                                                              1706
29. Lito Salas                                                                          1672
30. John Pastrana                                                                  1632

                There will be some Blitz Chess competition after the completion of this event’s regular games. The usual time control in Palau for blitz is 10 minutes (using mechanical clocks). While preparing for this event, players may gather at the venue to practice or play blitz chess contest like what happened on March 05, where a 5-player blitz chess contest was held with Pastrana and Hernandez winning it over blitz chess specialist Edwin Eti, Cyril Montel, Jr. and Jimmy Valenzuela, who will be playing his last tournament in Palau as he is leaving Palau for good. He might not finish this event if this National Chess Championship will last longer than he expected.

                Pastrana won his first ever chess title in Palau (in any time control) and is requesting the participants to support his hosting of the event buy purchasing drinks, snack, etc. at the store. If the players are more than 6, it will be held at the parking lot, very close to the main road.

                Playing outdoor chess is one way of promoting the game since 2003. The 2002 All-Filipino Chess Tournament and 2002 Open was played at Mindzenty Auditorium. The 2003 Open was held at Image Restaurant and Sports Bar where players can play billiards and dart in between games.

                The 2003 Age Group Chess Tournament was held at the parking lot of Galaxy Video Center, beside Palasia Hotel and the beginning of outdoor chess tournaments that drew the attention of kids.

It was also the start that Ivan II Chess Computer participated in the next events with its strength in H for Hard for adults and E for Easy for kids and A for Average in the Class B category.

                But because it’s National Championship, Ivan II will not be participating in this event.

Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez

             Tia Belau Newspaper

             Pages 9-10

            Volume 15

            Issue 11

            March 17-24, 2006

(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