(1251) PAX CUP IN FULL SWING AT PRR (TBN-Nov. 09-15, 2009)

6 PARTICIPANTS OF PAX CUP
     Paquito Suringa, Jr., left, the innovator of Pax Cup series of Rapid Chess Tournaments, poses with 5 other participants -- L-R: Miguel Gancayco, Roberto Hernandez, Rey Alenain, Jerome Ratunil and Japanese section Chef and top seed in the Class B Division Elizalde Madrinan.
                            (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)


            PAX CUP IN FULL SWING AT
               PALAU ROYAL RESORT 

 

The Paquito Suringa Cup Invitational Rapid Chess Tournament is in full swing at Palau Royal Resort Dormitory 1 with the formation of Class A and Class B in the double round-robin event.

                There are 3 invited players in the Class A Division – Joel Flor, Arnel Ogalesco and Andres ‘Aying’ Mestizo II to make that division complete with 9 players. Likewise, the Class B will have 9 players and Melanie Santos will be tasked to get some donations from Accounting, Front Desk and other departments to add it for the cash prize of both Class A and B.

                A possible women’s division is being considered for this event that has commenced in Oct. 24, 2009 with different schedule that will fit the varying schedules of participants.

                The Class A is composed of top seed Roberto Hernandez, the innovator of the event Paquito ‘Pax’ Suringa, Jr., Robert Tubice, Nino Flores, Jaime Guevarra, Jomar Alerta and the invited players Arnel Ogalesco, Andres Mestizo II and Joel Flor.

                The weaker Class B participants are Ferdie Altea, Randy Sioson, Ronel Gutierrez, George Gabris, Jerome Ratunil, Rey Alenain, Miguel Gancayco, Joel Gabris and Elizalde Madrinan.

                Ms. Santos will chair the possible women’s division that will consist of May Olis, Maricar Baules, Gracie Alenain, Tonet Medilo, Shirin Dy, Marizon Sarabia, an Indonesian from Mandara Spa and the lone invited player Kristen Senajon.

                Hernandez’ dad died at the age of 92. He didn’t go home for the funeral. Instead, he took the 4 Sundays of November to be able to play his remaining 14 games in the Pax Cup. He has played only 2 games so far and it’s time to catch up…

                He played 10 games within the week of Nov. 4-11 and won 8 games, lost 1 and drew 1.

                There is a blitz chess contest held on Nov. 04, 2009 at Jean’s Boutique and Store and Menandro ‘Boy’ Manuel clinched another blitz title by toppling the opposition.

Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez

              Tia Belau Newspaper

             Pages 9-10

             Volume 18

            Issue 46

            November 09-15, 2009

(1021) 2009 PAQUITO SURINGA CUP (July 05 -- Oct. 29, 2009)

From left to right (Participants of 2009 Paquito Suringa Cup)
     Jerome Ratunil, Morris Apresto, Paquito Suringa, Jr., Ferdie Altea and Rey Alenain.

                    2009 PAQUITO SURINGA CUP

                                 Rapid Chess Tournament

                           Palau Royal Resort Dormitory 1

                               July 05 – October 29, 2009

FINAL STANDINGS ---   CLASS A

                                                                                                                Win         Loss        Draw       Total       Rank

1.       ROBERTO HERNANDEZ                                                        12           1              3              13.5        1

2.       NINO FLORES                                                                          9             5              2              10           2

3.       JOEL FLOR                                                                               8             5              3              9.5          3

4.       ARNEL OGALESCO                                                                 6             5              5              8.5          4

5.       PAQUITO SURINGA, JR.                                                        7             8              1              7.5          5

6.       JAIME GUEVARRA                                                                 4             7              5              6.5          6

7.       ANDRES MESTIZO II                                                              5             9              2              6              7

8.       ROBERT TUBICE                                                                     0             4             12             6              8

9.       JOMAR ALERTA                                                                     2             9              5              4.5           9

Top 4 semifinals –    November 29, 2009

No. 1 Roberto Hernandez vs. No. 4 Arnel Ogalesco   1-0

PAQUITO SURINGA CUP SEMI-FINALS

Nov. 29, 2009

White: ROBERTO HERNANDEZ (1830)

Black: ARNEL OGALESCO

            1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. c3 c5 4. Bc4 Nf6 5. Bg5 Be7 6. e5 Ne4 7. Bxf7+ Kxf7 8. Qf3+ Ke8 9. Bxe7 Qxe7 10. Qxe4 dxc3 11. Nxc3 Nc6 12. Nd5 Qd8 13. Nf3 Ne7 14. 0-0-0 b6?? 15. Nxe7 Rb8 16. Nc6 Bb7 17. Nxd8 Bxe4 18. Nf7 Kxf7 19. Ng5+ Ke7 20. Nxe4 Rhf8 21. g3 h6 22. f4 Ke6 23. Rd6+ Kf5 24. Re1 Rfd8 25. h3 h5 26. Nf6 Bb7 27. Nxh5 Rg8 28. g4#

                                No. 2. Nino Flores vs. No. 3 Joel Flor      0-1

FINALS –       November 29, 2009

                 Game 1 Roberto Hernandez vs. Joel Flor   (Draw)

                 Game 2 Joel Flor vs. Roberto Hernandez    0-1

CASH PRIZE – Roberto Hernandez -Champion   $30.00

                         Joel Flor –runner-up -                      15.00

                        FINAL STANDINGS --- CLASS B

                                                                                                                Win         Loss        Draw       Total       Rank

1.       REY ALENAIN                                                                         12           4              0              12           1

2.       MIGUEL GANCAYCO                                                             11           4              1              11.5        2

3.       JEROME RATUNIL                                                                 11           4              1              11.5        3

4.       ELIZALDE MADRINAN                                                          10           3              3              11.5        4

5.       FERDIE ALTEA                                                                        7              9              0              7             5

6.       RANDY SIOSON                                                                     6              9              1              6.5          6

7.       MAR JOEL GABRIS                                                                6              10           0              6              7

8.       GEORGE GABRIS                                                                   3              11           2              4              8

9.       RONEL GUTIERREZ                                                                2              12           2              3              9

Top 4 Semifinals –   November 29, 2009

No. 1   Rey Alenain vs. No. 4 Elizalde Madrinan   1-0

No. 2   Miguel Gancayco vs. No. 3 Jerome Ratunil   1-0

                                 Jerome Ratunil, left, setting the clock for his game vs. Rey Alenain. Robert Tubice, middle, is in deep thought against Andres Mestizo II, right.                       (Photo by: Roberto Hernandez)

                FINALS ---       November 29, 2009

         Rey Alenain vs. Miguel Gancayco   0-1

                CASH PRIZE -  Miguel Gancayco – Champion -- $30.00

                                         Rey Alenain – Runner-up                15.00

TIME CONTROL – 30 minutes for each player to finish the game.

Tournament Organizer – Paquito ‘Pax’ Suringa, Jr.

Tournament Arbiter -- Roberto Hernandez

L-R  Mar Joel Gabris, Rey Alenain, Gracie Alenain, Randy Sioson, Roberto Hernandez, Paquito Suringa, Jr., Tonet Medillo and Miguel Gancayco.        (Photo by: Roberto Hernandez)

L-R  Mar Joel Gabris, George Gabris, Rey Alenain, Morris Apresto and Paquito Suringa, Jr.
(Photo by: Roberto Hernandez)

L-R Miguel Gancayco, Rey Alenain, Gracie Alenain, Randy Sioson, Roberto Hernandez, Mar Joel Gabris, Jaime Guevarra, Ronel Gutierrez and Paquito Suringa, Jr.      (Photo by: Roberto Hernandez)

   

Maricar Baules and Val Taylo are not contestants of Paquito Suringa Cup. They are just practicing chess using the vacant chess materials.
(Photo by: Roberto Hernandez)

Mar Joel Gabris shakes hands with Rey Alenain before the start of their game. Ferdie Altea, left, and Paquito Suringa, Jr., right, watch the game from the sideline.

(Photo by: Roberto Hernandez)

Source:

The History of Chess in Palau

By Roberto Hernandez

June 09- October 29, 2009 

(588) KA ABE NOTCHES 2ND WIN IN I.N.C. TOURNEY (TBN-Sept. 01-07, 2008)

TOP seed Abraham 'Abe' Francisco of Palau Royal Resort spoiled the first tournament game of Minister Erick Matienzo in the resumption of Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church of Christ) chess tourney held on Monday evening August 25 at the church premises.

The minister, one of the tough player expected to qualify in the Class A division, blundered away a whole rook on the 23rd move and resigned after 38 moves of Sicilian Defence.

Ka Abe's starting rating is 1670, the same as Paquito Suringa, Jr., a cook at PRR, who hadn't played a game yet as reported last week.

The other winner last week was Danny Oliver, who will be having a 1500 starting rating together with the rest except Arnold Rivera (1608).

Ka Abe's surge to the top of the tilt is not a surprise as he had already more than 1956 rating at chess.com where he can play different opponents around the world and honed his talents practicing with some of the top players of Palau.

The rest of the field of 13 players are Arnold Rivera, chief cook at PRR, Joel Kasaigan, Ferdie Sumadsad, Renaldo Corpuz, Rene Gutierrez, Joel Flor, Edgar del Rosario, Danny Guillermo and Philippine Ambassador to Palau Ramoncito Marino, the brainchild of the event that also consist of scrabble, dama (Chinese checker), and dart.

Ambassador Marino is the top supporter of chess in Palau and had sponsored the $1,000.00 cash prizes of both the inaugural Ambassador Marino Cup in 2006 and the 2nd Palau Invitational Chess Championship (now known as the Ambassador Marino Cup) last year.

Another one will be held this year before the World Chess Olympiad in Dresden, Germany as the final training for the top chess players of Palau to participate with the help of Jan Berglund, an International Arbiter (IA),/trainer/coach and Delegate of Palau chess team.

Palau top player Menandro Manuel will lead the Board 1 while Palau first National Master Manny Nedic will be at Board 2.

Roberto Hernandez, PRR musician, will handle Board 3 and Cyril Montel, Jr. at Board 4 and Gene Pastrana as reserve.

The organizers of the Olympiad, which will be held on November 12-25, 2008 had reduced the number of rounds (11 now instead of 13) and the reserved player (1 now instead of 2).

More than 150 countries are expected to participate in the biennial event where Palau is rated 148th just ahead of British Virgin Islands and Bahamas.

Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
            Tia Belau Newspaper
            Pages 13 & 15
            Volume 18
            September 01-07, 2008    


     

   

(195) Hernandez is Pax Cup Champ; Cyril Nips Elpi

PAX CUP CHAMP AND RUNNER-UP
Roberto Hernandez, sitting right, bags the Class A title of Paquito Suringa Cup Invitational Rapid Chess tournament at Palau Royal Resort Dormitory 1. His runner-up, Joel Flor, sitting left, almost beat him in the first game. Standing from left to right, Vhal Taylo, Ferdie Altea, Paquito Suringa, Class B champion Miguel Gancayco and Joel Gabris.                                                                            (Photo by Paquito Suringa, Jr.)

HERNANDEZ IS PAX CUP CHAMP;
CYRIL NIPS ELPI

PRIOR TO the start of Paquito Suringa Cup semifinals at Palau Royal Resort Dormitory 1, a drama unfolds when semifinalist and invited player Joel Flor informed the organizers that he will not make it at 4:00 pm because he was asked to work overtime.

Top seed Roberto Hernandez decided to replace Joel with no. 5 Paquito Suringa but 2nd seed Nino Flores rejected the idea. He would be very happy to make it to the finals without sweat.

At 4:15, Hernandez started his semifinal game against Arnel Ogalesco and the news that Joel is on his way to play against Nino incited the crowd of non-qualifiers.

In the middle of Hernandez-Ogalesco match, the Flores-Flor match ensued. Hernandez is annotating their game and castles on the 14th moves. Arnel blundered away a knight and was mated by a pawn on the 28th move of Danish Gambit.

Nino is struggling with a passive position and resigned when he can't stop Joel from obtaining a new queen.

The Game 1 of the finals show how tough Joel is. He won 3 pawns after only 13 moves of solid attack. Although Hernandez recovered 2 of those pawns 17 moves later, Joel can't convert his h pawn advantage to a win and settled for a draw after 70 moves.

Hernandez stopped writing their chess moves when he got into time trouble with more than 4 minutes left in his clock while Joel still have 16 minutes. Roberto's roommate Jaime Guevarra wrote 3/4 of their moves.

In the second game, a Sicilian Defence, Hernandez exchanged his knight for 2 pawns to avoid losing his queen but obtained a strong attack and mobility of his pieces.

Joel was mated on the 28th move after a neat bishop sacrifice a move earlier.

Joel received $15.00 as runner-up and Hernandez pocketed $25.00. He donated $10.00 for treat to other participants and prepared for his match against Palau's number one chess player Menandro 'Boy' Manuel in the resumption of 2009 Palau National Chess Championship at D. J. Cruz General Merchandise premises.

After having dinner, Hernandez called venue host Gene Pastrana but nobody answered. He called Manuel's 2 cell phone numbers and no response also. He thought the players left early.

Finally, after four days, Hernandez was able to get the results of Sunday's games (November 29). Second seed Cyril Montel, Jr. is on a roll and nipped Elpidio Manaligod in 32 moves of Center Counter and stayed undefeated with 5 straight wins.

In the other game (Class B), Tito Cabunagan adjourned his match against Gonzalo Escapatoria because the power went off after only 12 moves.

Their game will be resumed after Escapatoria comes back from Philippines to buy construction materials for Masang, his employer.

Edgar Cayanan, the Assistant Food and Beverage Manager of PRR, is sponsoring $20.00 for cash prize or trophy plus $10.00 cash for the next PRR chess tournament for employees only to start on December 10.

It is to be called Edgar Cayanan Cup Rapid Chess tournament. No invited players this time and Hernandez will not be allowed to participate.

It will be a double round-robin without Class A or B. Players will use the 56 By The Book Chess Openings prepared by Hernandez to familiarize the players to what kind of openings or defence they will use that fit their style.

Ivan II Chess Computer will join the field with its strength at EASY against beginners and AVERAGE against top seed Guevarra and Pax.

The 2009 Palau National Chess Championship is sponsored by Bhoey Gopez of Island Logistics, Lucio Bandibas of WCTC and Ed Martinez of Print Zone -- (5 trophies) and by Bobby Pineda, Ogie Pineda and Jun dela Cruz of PALIBHASA group of macho men.


Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
             Tia Belau Newspaper
             Pages 13 & 15
            Volume 18 Issue 49
            December 07-13, 2009