(1358) PHOTOS -- 2002 ALL-FILIPINO CHESS TOURNAMENT (June 09, 2002)

THE FIRST EVER CHESS TOURNAMENT IN PALAU.... Held at Mindzenty Auditorium in June 09, 2002. There are 20 participants including my daughter Karen Cando, Michelle Ramos, her dad Ben Ramos, Remy Mingo, Angie Sisior, Eugene Koh, Glen M Navarroza, eventual champ Eddie Grefiel, Consul Julius Torres, Mario Ramos, Geoffrey Moro, Vincent Vega Vergara, Amante C. Caballero, Mike Miguel, Jr., Bong Alipoon, Noel Filomeno, Jimmy Valenzuela, Jimboy de Jesus, me and my colleague and the best guitarist Palau ever had, the late Lemuel "Lemon" Bacor. AFTER 15 YEARS, PALAU CHESS IS NOW KNOWN TO THE WORLD. Me having participated in 2009 Oceania Zonal Chess Championship in Australia and 4 straight chess Olympiads (2010 Russia, 2012 Turkey, 2014 Norway and lately 2016 Baku, Azerbaijan. WAY TO GO PALAU CHESS!!! To know more about Palau, Palau chess, music, heritage, people, tradition, and others, please check the Palau Chess Federation website http://palau-chess.blogspot.com where I have posted 1,365 posts that were viewed by more than 266,000 people from 139 countries.

Sergio Alemania, the Vice President of The Filipino Community in Palau (TFCP), asked me, "Is there enough chess players in Palau to start the first ever chess tournament in Palau?" I said yes and from then on, Palau chess was born...

                           CHESS MATE
                                                      By Roberto Hernandez


THREE years ago, I was approached by Tutii Joe Chilton, the most active Palauan chess player today, to form a chess club.

Without hesitation, I agreed to donate my free time, chess books, use of my chess clock, and experience to develop chess in Palau.

The idea didn't materialize but in the middle of this year, TFCP (The Filipino Community In Palau) Vice President Sergio Alemania asked me if there were enough chess players in Palau to hold the first-ever chess tournament in Palau.

He assigned me to be the chairman of the tilt that drew 20 contestants including four women.

An All-Filipino tournament was held early this year, followed by an open competition on Sept. 15, 2002 in which Tutii Joe Chilton, who was the first contestant I invited to participate, acted as my co-chairman.

The tournament was participated in by 28 chess players including four Palauans and two Americans, the rest being Filipinos.

The youngest competitors were a 9- and an 11-year-old Palauans.

On January 12, 2003, another open chess tournament will be held which will be categorized into Class A and Class B championships after a 5-round classification games.

Anyone who wishes his or her chess savvy by testing one's skills in a real chess tournament is invited to participate.

I would like to start this column with two instructional chess quizzes. The solution to the quiz on the left is written upside down; to the one on the right will be revealed next week.

If you have questions about chess and the next open chess tournament, please call me at 488-3694. #

Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
             Tia Belau Newspaper
             Page 12
             Volume 12
             Issue 52
             December 29, 2002 - January 04, 2003 



I was given a free copy of Tia Belau newspaper since I started writing for them in Dec. 29, 2002.

But it will be given to me when I will submit my next report so I always buy it on Friday and I get my copy on Wednesday or Tuesday.

I was able to collect all 52 copies for the year 2003. When me and my wife rented a room in Topside in 2006, I put all those 52 copies of Tia Belau in an empty sack of rice and put it under the rented room's open space (on the ground with a plywood under it).

SOMEBODY THROW AWAY OR STEAL THAT WHOLE SACK OF 52 ISSUES OF CHESS MATE WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM ME OR MY WIFE.

When I started to make a scrap book out of those old newspapers, I'm missing the whole year of 2003 with the exception of a few xerox copies that I posted in the bulletin board of Palau High School Gym. 

When I was allowed to check the publisher's copies (all originals), the whole year of 2003 is also missing!

One of the graphics designers of Tia Belau told me that I should have been the only person in the world to have that entire 2003 copies of Tia Belau had it's not been thrown away or stolen by someone who doesn't care about history.

ANYWAY, I WAS ABLE TO PRODUCE A 2-HOUR VIDEO ENTITLED "CHESS IN PALAU 2002-2004" WHERE ALL THE FIRST 6 MAJOR CHESS TOURNAMENTS IN PALAU WERE DOCUMENTED THROUGH THAT VIDEO AND THROUGH TIA BELAU, PALAU'S FIRST NEWSPAPER.


Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
            Tia Belau Newspaper
            Page 12
            Volume 12
            Issue 52
            December 29, 2002 - January 04, 2003
    


       







Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
              Tia Belau Newspaper
              December 29, 2002--March 24, 2017

              The History of Chess in Palau
              By Roberto HERNANDEZ
              June 09, 2002 -- March 24, 2017

(677) PHOTOS (2004 RAPID CHESS TOURNAMENT)

From left, Morton Sawaichi vs. Ivan II Chess Computer; Eddie Grefiel vs. Jess Toldoya; Jose Omega vs. ?; Menandro Manuel vs. Joel Azana.                                   (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

Morton Sawaichi, left, is watching Gene Pastrana executing a move. Menandro Manuel, right, Jose Omega, 2nd from left are watching while Cyril Montel, Jr., middle is practicing with kids.
                                                               (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

Palauan bet Morton Sawaichi, left, missed a winning continuation in his game against Mariano Agustin, Jr. Has he won this game, it could have been his best-ever start in a Palau chess tournament--   3-0!  He won against 2nd seed Menandro Manuel in the first round. Eddie Grefiel is watching while it is getting dark.
                                               (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

CHESS AFTER DARK
   From left, the top 2 seeds Eddie Grefiel vs. Menandro Manuel; Bong Alipoon vs. Jose Misael de Jesus, who lives next to the tournament site (home court advantage?) and Joel Azana vs. Mariano Agustin, Jr.
                                                (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)
 
                                                                    
                                                       

Cyril Montel, Jr., left, vs. another Junior - Mariano Agustin, Jr., more popularly known as JR. Joel Azana vs. Bong Alipoon. Eddie Grefiel, right, and Jimboy de Jesus are watching the games closely.
                                                            (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

Jimmy Valenzuela, left, vs. Joel Azana; Jose Misael "Jimboy" de Jesus vs. Bong Alipoon and Menandro 'Boy' Manuel vs. eventual champion Eddie Grefiel.                   Photo by Roberto Hernandez

Another angle of the Montel, Jr. vs. Agustin, Jr. match and the Azana vs. Alipoon game with Eddie Grefiel watching a foot closer.                                                 (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

Menandro Manuel, left, against Bong Alipoon with Mr. Sermeno watching. At the other end of the table are Jose Misael "Jimboy" de Jesus against Jimmy Valenzuela. Jimboy lives within the tournament site --HOME COURT ADVANTAGE?                                                  (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

Jimboy de Jesus, left,  lives at the staff house behind him, Bong Alipoon and Cyril Montel, Jr., who is playing the eventual champ Eddie Grefiel. De Jesus upset Grefiel in this event.     (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

Another angle again of Alipoon, left, vs. Azana and the 2 juniors (Jr.) --Mariano Agustin, Jr. and Cyril Montel, Jr. with Eddie Grefiel in the middle.                                    (Photo by Rioberto Hernandez)

From left, Bong Alipoon, Menandro Manuel, Jimmy Valenzuela, Mr. Sermeno, Eddie Grefiel and Joel Azana.                                                (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

Cyril Montel, Jr. with the white pieces against Eddie Grefiel.             (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

((211) TWO WEEKS TO FINISH

THOSE WERE THE DAYS
Four chessboards were set up for practices and official games of the 2009 Palau National Chess Championship at D. J. Cruz General Merchandise premises with Gene Pastrana, left, being the venue host. After his withdrawal, the remaining games were played at Palau Royal Resort. Practicing on the first table are (L) Jaime Guevarra vs. Mohammad Manik Hossain, Elizalde Madrinan vs. Jimboy de Jesus, newly-wed Craig Dittrich vs. Paquito Suringa, Jr. and Ken Pastrana vs. Joel Flor (hidden). George Gabris and a Bangladeshi observe the action.
                                                                        (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)



          TWO WEEKS TO FINISH

THE CONSOLATION round of the recently concluded 2009 Palau National Chess Championship will have 2 weeks to finish the remaining games not played yet.

Tito Cabunagan is the virtual champion and the 2nd and 3rd spot is being contested by Jose Misael (Jimboy) de Jesus and Mario Ramos, with the former leading with more wins but he lost to Ramos weeks ago.

The 5 trophies were already given to Roberto Hernandez last Wednesday by Bhoey Gopez of Island Logistics, Lucio Bandibas of WCTC and Ed Martinez of Print Zone.

The awarding will be held after the completion of Class B.

THE FINAL STANDINGS ARE: 1. Cyril Montel, Jr. (Champion) 2. Menandro Manuel (1st Runner-up) 3. Roberto Hernandez (2nd Runner-up) 4. Bernard Garcia (3rd Runner-up) and 5. Michael Mercado (4th Runner-up).

Completing the standings are: 6. Manuel 'Jun' Mahor 7. Romeo Caballer 8. Elpidio Manaligod 9. Paquito Suringa, Jr. 10. Gene Pastrana 11. Masum Billah and newly-wed Craig Dittrich.

Montel will receive the Cup trophy and $30.00 cash prize while Manuel will get $20.00 and a trophy.

By special arrangement, Hernandez will receive the gift certificate of Brunch for 2 at Palau Pacific Resort in exchange of his trophy and $10.00 to Garcia, who prefers a souvenir trophy than a gift certificate donated by PPR GM Sho Suzuki.

Garcia's $10.00 will be donated to Palau Chess Federation funds for payment to World Chess Federation (FIDE).

The total $60.00 cash prizes were donated by PALIBHASA group of Bobby Pineda, Jun dela Cruz and Ogie Pineda.

The other gift certificate will be given to Michael Mercado.

In the resumption of Edgar Cayanan Cup Rapid Chess tournament at Palau Royal Resort Dormitory 1, Mohammad Manik Hossain is present every Saturday to play the available players.

He split 2 games with Suringa, Jr. and George Gabris, who is joining the Class A to improve his game. Joel Gabris was swept by Manik in the last 2 games of the Cup. Joel also shifted from Class B to A.

There is a plan to make the tournament without Class A or B to have lowly rated players elevate their level of play.

In August 2009, Gene Pastrana was given by Hernandez a copy of Benjamin Franklin's "The Morals Of Chess". Knowing that Pastrana has committed a lot of unsportsmanlike conduct while playing chess, Hernandez underlined the part that says: "3. NO FALSE MOVE SHOULD EVER BE MADE TO EXTRICATE YOURSELF OUT OF A DIFFICULTY, OR TO GAIN ADVANTAGE. THERE CAN BE NO PLEASURE IN PLAYING WITH A PERSON ONCE DETECTED IN SUCH UNFAIR PRACTICE".

That article was emailed to Hernandez by Joselito Marcos, a very knowledgable person who has in his collection more than 4 million chess games played around the world.

In his January 13, 2010 email (while having a vacation in Philippines), he stated: "Dear Roberto, You are handling the situation well as far as I can see. Also laudable was you giving Pastrana the option to settle what he owes to the federation by installment.
On account of Gene's withdrawal, you may have to choose a replacement for him in the Asian Chess Championship in Subic, Philippines from April 20-30, 2010. You may ask for nomination -- only those who are willing to pay their airfare would make it. Boarding and lodging are complimentary for official representative.
Papua New Guinea will not be sending any rep. I am not sure but Shaun Press may be intereseted and I won't mind if he does go. I am preparing for the Chess Olympiad in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia.
I am yet to meet my colleagues in the Nueva Ecija Chess Arbiters Association which I founded and consisted of Manila Chess Olympiad arbiters because I am in Metro Manila most of the times. I am the founding president of the association and it was through my encouragement and prodding that the other 4 members made it to the Manila Olympiad. A legacy I left with them was our tournaments are well organized and orderly from the start to finish, and disputes (if any, are few and come in between) are settled amicably according to the tournament regulations and FIDE Laws of Chess. This is about all for now. Cheers. Lito

Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
             Tia Belau Newspaper
             Pages 13 & 15
             Volume 19 Issue 06
          February 08-14, 2010

(122) THE RETURN OF THE 'COMEBACKS'

THE RETURN OF THE "COMEBACKS"

ALL IS set for the opening of the 2005 Rapid Chess tournament, the last tourney of the year to be held this Sunday, October 23 at Jean's Boutique premises just across Maris Stella School.

Sonsored by Helena Yoichi, the owner of this boutique and its manager Most Improved Player honoree Gene Pastrana, the event will feature the comeback of at least five players: 2-time champion Menandro Manuel, Lin de Guzman, former champ Jess Toldoya, Gerry Sermeno and Jimboy de Jesus, the 2nd runner-up in the 2004 Rapid Chess tilt.

De Jesus trophy has not yet been given as the maker, Tutii Joe Chilton, had only finished the trophy of the junior champion Em-R de Vera. The other unfinished trophies are for eventual champion Eddie Grefiel, 2nd runner-up Roberto Hernandez, 3rd runner-up Manuel and 4th runner-up Cyril Montel, Jr.

Junior division's 1st runner-up Christopher Domingo is the receiver of the 7th trophy that needs to be given.

The Filipino Community in Palau (TFCP) sponsored last year's Rapid Chess tourney. Its president, Boie Aguas asked Hernandez early this year to look for trophy maker. He pledged $50.00 of his own money for the trophies.

Chilton pledged that $50.00 to be added to the financial obligation of Palau as membership fee ($476.00) so that Palau chess players can now participate in the World Chess Olympiad in Turin, Italy next year. Australian Gary Bekker donated $100.00 for the campaign.

De Jesus will start with his old rating of 1889 and will be the 13th seed while Sermeno will be at the bottom of the standings with his old rating of 1583.

A newcomer, Francis 'Sno' Temaungil will be given a special time control because he is just a beginner with the game. Rapid chess time control is 30 minutes for each player to finish the game. Temaungil will be given an extra 30 minutes. Other newcomers who would like to join will be given the same extra minutes.

Sno is currently undergoing serious chess training with Hernandez to try to make it as reserve in the 6-man team in the 2006 World Chess Olympiad. Morton Sawaichi has already been chosen as one of the reserve as Chilton is not sure because of earlier commitment.

The trophies and certificates of appreciation will be awarded before the start of the first and second round of Rapid Chess tilt. Pastrana will receive his MIP trophy while Manny Nedic will get his first-ever trophy, the 3rd runner-up.

Bong Alipoon, the 1st runner-up, has come back from vacation. He will also receive his trophy.

HERNANDEZ, ALIPOON AND JIMMY VALENZUELA ARE THE ONLY THREE PLAYERS WHO PARTICIPATED IN ALL PREVIOUS TEN TOURNAMENTS HELD IN PALAU.


Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
               Tia Belau Newspaper 
               Volume XIV 
               Issue 42 
              October 21-28, 2005

(103) TORRES AIMS FOR CHAMPIONSHIP

                                         TFCP OPEN CHESS TILT
            TORRES AIMS FOR CHAMPIONSHIP

PHILIPPINE Consul General Julius Torres, who leads the standings of TFCP Open Chess tournament with 18.5 points after the 19th and 20th rounds played last Sunday, November 17, will aim for the championship in the tournament participated in by Filipino and Palauan players after Eddie Grefiel, at 18 points, lost two of his games.

Torres defeated Jimboy de Jesus (17) and drew with against Cyril Montel, Jr. (15). His last two remaining games will be against Tutii Joe Chilton, a Palauan player, and 16-year old Kris Ramos.

Grefiel, Danny Dandoy (17.5), Jimboy de Jesus, Roberto Hernandez (16), Bong Alipoon (16.5), Mariano Agustin, Jr. (15.5), Jun Mahor (16.5) and Noel Filomeno (17) will compete for the runner-up and special prizes games.

During the first round for the open chess tournament, the Knights and Rooks Chess Club was formed and elected the following officers: Roberto Hernandez -- Chairman, Jimmy Valenzuela -- Vice Chairman and Danny Dandoy -- Secretary.

The other participants and their respective points are: Nilo de Jesus, Edgardo Enarsao and Eugene Koh -- (15.5), Jimmy Valenzuela --15, Richard Reyes --14, Mike Miguel, Jr. --11.5, Glen Navarosa --7.5, Amante Caballero and Roland Tangelbad -- 6.5, Eric Carlson and Mario Ramos --6, David Clumpner--2.5, Omkar Tangelbad --2; and Tommy Tutii and Ricky Cabarubias -- 1.

From the report of Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper  Page 16   December 01-07, 2002

(96) WE'RE NOW 2 YEARS OLD

                         WE'RE NOW 2 YEARS OLD

HOW TIME flies! Chess Mate is now two years old without missing a single issue, not even when the author had a six-week vacation in the Philippines from May 29 to July 10, 2004.

A lot have been accomplished with the help of so many people and sponsors of the eight tournaments that have been held in Palau. Contributions of players' knowledge about the game and their participation produced a lot of quality games at par with other countries.

With Chess Mate on its third year, more recent developments around the chess world will be shared to its readers.

THE NEW AND UPDATED RATINGS FOR THE 2005 REGULAR CHESS TOURNAMENT TO BE HELD ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 16 ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. Eddie Grefiel (2091) 2. Roberto Hernandez (2034) 3. Ivan II Chess Computer (2032) 4. Menandro Manuel (1948) 5. Cyril Montel, Jr. (1940) 6. Jose Omega (1921) 7. Jimboy de Jesus (1889) 8. Jess Toldoya (1883) 9. Jimmy Valenzuela (1878) 10. Mike Miguel, Jr. (1843) 11. Bong Alipoon (1819) 12. Danny Dandoy (1793) 13. Lin de Guzman (1776) 14. Mario Ramos (1746) 15. Joel Azana (1697) 16. Morton Sawaichi (1654) 17. Dennis Gonzales (1647) 18. Gene Pastrana (1646) 19. Mariano Agustin, Jr. (1636) 20. Den Canaria (1599) 21. Wilson Milambiling (1599) 22. Gerry Sermeno (1583) 23. Pastor Fontanilla (1560) and Tutii Joe Chilton (1510).

De Jesus earned the most points (179) for his exemplary performance in the recently concluded 2oo4 Rapid Chess tournament held beside his residence. (Home-court advantage?)

Pastrana is second with 146 followed by Montel, Jr. (141) and Omega (140). Azana (111) and Most Improved Player Lin de Guzman completes the list of triple digit points earners while Agustin, Jr. was the only one who lost rating points due to his struggling performance in the 2004 Rapid Chess tournament.

AND SPEAKING OF RAPID CHESS, ROBERTO HERNANDEZ WOULD LIKE TO SHARE A NEWSPAPER CLIPPING THAT HE COLLECTED WHILE HE WAS WORKING IN THE MIDDLE EAST (BAHRAIN) AS MUSICIAN IN KHAYAM TAVERNA (GREEK RESTAURANT) WITH PARTNER ANTONIS SERGIO, A CYPRIOT BOUZUKI PLAYER.

The Khaleej Times December 13, 1988 issue reported the first World Rapid Chess Championship, then referred to as "Active", as follows:

KARPOV HAS AN EASY FIRST ROUND VICTORY
Dmazatlan (Mexico) -- Some of the globe's top chess players battled against each other and the clock on Sunday at the opening of the first World Active Chess Championship.

Former world champion Anatoly Karpov of the Soviet Union won his first round match well within the time limit but others took their games to the wire in the $150,000 tournament of rapid chess.

While Karpov appeared to have little difficulty with fellow Soviet Nana Ioseliani, other players found their pieces literally flying off the board as they as they attempted to finish their matches within the 60-minute time limit.

Walter Browne of the United States frantically made his final moves against cool 14-year old Hungarian Zsofia Polgar before the two agreed to a first round draw.

Active chess is an attempt to make the sport palatable for a mass television audience.

"In general it's less beautiful but it's much more exciting, even for the players," said Horst Metzing, general secretary of the West German Chess Federation.

Unlike traditional chess where single matches can last over six hours, active chess matches must be finished within an hour with each player having 30 minutes to make his moves.

The active form is an effort by chess players and promoters to gain a larger audience and television coverage for a sport traditionally limited to a hard core following of afficionados.

With increased popularity, there will be more money for national and international chess federations as well as for players, tourney organizers said.

"If television is interested, the sponsors are interested," Metzing said.

The Active Chess Championship, being played through Saturday in Mazatlan on Mexico's Pacific coast, is being televised to the United States and Europe by a Mexican television network.

And finally, in the 1998 World Under 14 Rapid Chess Championship, Mark Paragua captured the title and is now the Philippines number one rated player with an ELO rating of 2534, ahead of Grandmaster Rogelio Antonio, Jr. and Asia's first Grandmaster Eugene Torre.

Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper December 31, 2004 - January 07, 2005

(95) CM53 JIMBOY UPSETS DEFENDING CHAMP (TBN-Nov.26-Dec.3,2004)

WHERE ARE THE TROPHIES?

It's been more than a month since the awarding of the 2004 Open sponsored by Nestor Canaria (left) but still no trophies were awarded to the Class A winners (from right) -- Roberto Hernandez (1st runner-up), Eddie Grefiel (champion) and Jimmy Valenzuela (2nd runner-up). Another 3 trophies were to be given to Class B champion Jose Omega, 1st runner-up Mariano Agustin, Jr. and Den Canaria (host's son). Only certificates and cash prizes for Class A were given.

(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

AFTER missing 4 tournaments in a row, Jimboy de Jesus made his presence felt in the 9th and 10th round of the 2004 Rapid Chess tournament held on Sunday, November 21 at Parish Center for Migrants and sponsored by TFCP, M. B. Dalton and Kabayan Restaurant.

De Jesus, 2nd runner-up in the 2002 Open, survived a relentless attack by 2-time champion Eddie Grefiel (8-2-0), who gave up two minor pieces but couldn't sustain the attack and when de Jesus forced the simplification, Grefiel suffered his 2nd loss of the tilt. The two now has a career win-loss-draw record of 1-1-1.

De Jesus climbed from 13th spot to 7th after defeating lone Palauan bet Morton Sawaichi (3-9-0) and halving the point with Lin de Guzman (5-4-1) in which he had only a king against de Guzman's king and queen.

He was stalemated and escaped with half point for a 4-2-1 card. He suffered his 2nd loss to new leader Cyril Montel, Jr., who also defeated de Guzman for an 8-2-2 slate to overtake idle Jose Omega (8-1-0), who was absent for 2 consecutive weeks due to job requirement.

He is now in 2nd spot followed by Grefiel and absent Menandro Manuel (7-4-0). De Guzman is now leading the 4-man candidate for Most Improved Player (MIP) as he upset Bong Alipoon (4-6-0) and jumped from 6th to 8th place.

Two newcomers were added to the roster of participants, taking the places of Danny Dandoy and Mario Ramos, who have not showed up to play.

Wilson Milambiling and Pastor Fontanilla, both working at Palau Pacific Resort, played against the available players with Milambiling winning over Dennis Gonzales and Mariano Agustin, Jr. but lost to Alipoon when he blundered away his queen for a knight.

Fontanilla, however, lost both of his games to de Guzman and Agustin, Jr.

Third seed Roberto Hernandez (6-3-0) trounced Jimmy Valenzuela in 23 moves of Modern Defence.

Hernandez sacrificed a bishop for 2 pawns to expose Valenzuela's king to the attack of Hernandez' queen, knight and bishop. When Valenzuela failed to anticipate a mate in two, he resigned instead of getting mated.

After the completion of regular games, Valenzuela and Grefiel practiced semi-blitz games. Alipoon and Hernandez followed suit until 11:00 pm.

Alipoon had 11 wins, 6 losses and 3 draws. He displayed remarkable skills in bltiz although in tournament play he seems to struggle and is out of contention now.

Solution to last week's puzzle: 1. ... Nd3++ (double check) 2. Kd1 Qe1+! Nxe1 Nf2 mate. This is called the smothered mate that usually occurs on both ends of the board. It is embarassing to lose in this kind of mate so it is better to resign than to continue as what happened to Judit Polgar in her controversial match against Gary Kasparov in 1994 in Linares, Spain.

Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
November 26- December 03, 2004

(94) CM52 TOP 4 SCRAMBLE (TBN-Nov.19-26, 2004)

CHESS AFTER DARK
     Six players are still busy at 7:00 pm when it was already dark at the ground of Parish Center for Migrants in the 8th round of the tourney. Jimmy Valenzuela, left, vs. Joel Azana; Jimboy de Jesus, 2nd from left, vs. Bong Alipoon and Menandro Manuel vs. Eddie Grefiel.                                                    (Photo by: Roberto Hernandez)

FOUR players fought it out for the lead in lthe 8th round of the 2004 Rapid Chess tournament held Sunday, Nov. 14 at Parish Center for Migrants and sponsored by TFCP, M. B. Dalton and K. Cuenco of Kabayan Restaurant.

Idle Jose Omega kept the lead win an 8-1-0 win-loss-draw record but Cyril Montel, Jr. (6-2-2) and defending champion Eddie Grefiel (6-1-0) made moves to challenge the leader.

Montel, Jr. scored 2.5 points in 5 games by defeating newcomer Gene Pastrana (3-7-0) and former champ Roberto Hernandez in 55 moves of a Bird's Opening.

He lost to another former champ Menandro Manuel (7-4-0) and Bong Alipoon (3-6-0). He drew his first game of the day with Dennis Gonzales (2-4-1) where he leads by 4 points but couldn't get a whole point because he had a king, a bishop and a pawn against Gonzales' lone king.

It clearly became a draw when Montel, Jr. didn't anticipate that his bishop was in the other color where his pawn will be promoted to a queen.

Grefiel is on a 4-win streak after losing to Montel, Jr. on the opening day by trouncing Manuel and Hernandez in 31 moves of Modern Defence.

Hernandez missed a stronger 23rd move that could have cramped Grefiel's position. Manuel defeated Montel, Jr. and both now share second place.

In the first game of the day, lone Palauan bet Morton Sawaichi (3-8-0) toppled Gonzales and scored a win after a string of losses.

In the shortest game of the tournament, Gonzales mated Pastrana in just 9 moves when the latter missed a pawn move that would have prolonged the game.

Pastrana upset Alipoon to end a 5-game losing streak. He lost again to Joel Azana (4-6-0), a candidate for Most Improved Player (MIP) award that will be given courtesy of the chairman who is donating a trophy.

In the last game of the day, Azana lost to Ivan II Chess Computer when he failed to force a draw by stalemate.

The other candidates for MIP are Sawaichi, Gonzales and idle Lin de Guzman (3-2-0).

In the 18 years and below category, only 1 player showed up (Chris Domingo) and he played a best-of-three seried against Ivan II Chess Computer.

He opted to use the Dragon Variation of the Sicilian Defence and lost. In the second game, he tried the Four Knights Defence with the black pieces and also lost when he couldn't find the right continuation in the sequence of move 18.

He still leads the division with a 2-2-0 slate.





Solution to last week's puzzle: The first puzzle's solution is 1. ... Qh4+ g3 2. Qxg3+!! 3. hxg3 Bxg3 mate.

The second puzzle solution is 1. ... Qf2+!! 2. Kxf2 Rd1 discovered check 3. Be3 Bxe3 mate.

Source:

Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez

Tia Belau Newspaper

November 19-26, 2004

 

(78) CM48 NEW RATINGS FOR RAPID CHESS TILT