(1104) NEDIC UPSETS TOP SEED HERNANDEZ IN ROUND 7 (TBN- July 08-15, 2005)

:   HIS PRACTICE BEFORE IS SOLVING CHESS MATE’S CHESS PUZZLES

                    Manuel Nedic, right, admitted to Roberto Hernandez, left, that his only chess practice before is solving the chess puzzles in Tia Belau’s Chess Mate column by Roberto Hernandez. In his 2^nd serious chess tournament, Nedic defeated Hernandez. Others in the photo are the first game of the day, Jimmy Valenzuela, 2^nd from right, vs. Gene Pastrana, while Bong Alipoon, middle, takes on Joel Azana, the one taking this photo. Susan Andres, on Alipoon’s right, is an Honorary Member of Palau Chess Federation. A Palauan guy, standing at left, is watching the games.               (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

     NEDIC UPSETS TOP SEED HERNANDEZ 

                      IN ROUND 7

IN HIS 2^nd chess tournament participated in Palau, newcomer Manuel Nedic (1759 National Rating) showed his full potential of being a great player by upsetting top seed Roberto Hernandez (2056) in 41 moves of Dutch Defence in the 7^th round of 2005 Open Chess Tournament held on Sunday, July 03 at Privilege Family Store in Malakal.

THE MOVES:

Nedic, Manuel (1759) - Hernandez, Roberto (2056) [A85]

2005 Open (Palau) (7), 03.07.2005

1.d4 f5 2.c4 Nf6 3.Nc3 e6 4.Nf3 Bb4 5.Bg5 0–0 6.Qc2 Qe8 7.Bxf6 Rxf6 8.e3 f4 9.Bd3 Qh5 10.0–0–0 Bxc3 11.Qxc3 fxe3 12.fxe3 Nc6 13.Rdf1 a5 14.a3 a4 15.Rhg1 Na5 16.g4 Qf7 17.Ng5 Nb3+ 18.Kb1 Qe7 19.Bxh7+ Kh8 20.h4 d5 21.Bd3 Bd7 22.Bc2 dxc4 23.Bxb3 cxb3 24.Qd3 Rh6 25.Nf7+ Kg8 26.Nxh6+ gxh6 27.g5 h5 28.Rf6 Be8 29.Rgf1 Rd8 30.Qe4 Rd6 31.Qf4 Kg7 32.Qe5 Kg8 33.Qf4 Rc6 34.g6 Kg7 35.Qg5 Qd6 36.Rf7+ Kg8 37.Qh6 Rc1+ 38.Kxc1 Qc6+ 39.Kb1 Qc2+ 40.Ka1 Bxf7 41.Qh7+         1–0

The 2^nd tournament of the year is being sponsored by Palau businessman Bendix N. Lakobong, his Operations Managers Leo Lacambra, Jr. and Roswell C. Macapagal of T-Shirt Printing Atbp. They are sponsoring the 5 trophies and $50.00 cash for Brilliancy Game.

The first game of the day was between Gene Pastrana (1822) and Jimmy Valenzuela (1994), in which the former defeated the latter. There were only 3 games played in the 7^th round, with the 3^rd game ending with 4^th seed Bong Alipoon (2012) clobbering another chess player with great potential – Joel Azana (1789).

Second seed Cyril Montel, Jr. (2044) and 3^rd seed Jose Omega 2027) didn’t make it due to job schedule conflict while Menandro Manuel (2061) and Lin de Guzman will skip this tourney but will participate in blitz chess competition after the completion of regular games.

There’s not enough player for blitz chess contest this week but next week, July 10, a Mid-Year Blitz Chess Festival is set. If the participants are less than 10, it would be double round-robin event with 5 minutes time control and $5.00 registration fee as usual.

Nedic finished at 8^th in the first tourney of the year – the 2005 Regular Chess Tournament, with 11-5-5 win-loss-draw record for a total of 13.5 points. Not bad for a first time participant. Among his victims are Mario Ramos(1890), Ivan II Chess Computer (2006), Mariano Agustin, Jr.(1636), Marcial Rodriguez (1571), Lin de Guzman (1776), Liam Bornovski (1500), Ronald Maomay (1500), Eric Espartero (1579), Em-R de Vera, Christopher Domingo and Jimmy Valenzuela (1994). He drew with Cyril Montel, Jr., Menandro Manuel, Tutii Joe Chilton, Joel Azana and Gene Pastrana.

He lost to Hernandez, Omega (in their adjourned game resumption), Dennis Gonzales, Alipoon and surprisingly to Morton Sawaichi.

SOLUTION TO LAST WEEK’S PUZZLE: (White to move and mates in 5) the one and only puzzle in this column that is mate in 5. Mostly it’s mate in 3 or 2.     1. Qxg7+!! Kxg7 2. Rg3+ Kh6 3. Bc1+ Kh5 4. Rg5+ Kxh4 5. g3 mate. 

Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez

             Tia Belau Newspaper

             Pages 9-10

             Volume 14

             July 08-15, 2005 

(1097) ROUND 3 RESULTS -- 2005 OPEN CHESS TOURNEY (TBN-June 10-17, 2005)

THE ONLY GAME ON OPENING DAY – SAWAICHI VS. CHILTON

                  Like many other opening days of a Palau chess tournament, very few games were played with the players, even though present, failed to play a single game due to sizing up the competition. This one is no different. Palauan bets Morton Sawaichi, left, and Tutii Joe Chilton, played the only game of the day with Jess Toldoya, sitting, watching and Gene Pastrana, checking the chess equipments. Sawaichi is working as a bouncer at Island Bar (behind him).                         (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

             ROUND 3 RESULTS --

     2005 OPEN CHESS TOURNEY 

 

ONLY 5 games were played in the 3^rd round of 2005 Open Chess Tournament sponsored by Bendix N. Lakobong, Leo Lacambra, Jr. and Roswell C. Macapagal held at Privilege Family Store in Malakal on Sunday, June 05, 2005.

In those 5 games, Joel Azana (1789 National Rating) scored 2 victories against Jimmy Valenzuela (1994) and Dennis Gonzales(1825), who is trying to catch up and played 3 games. He lost to Gene Pastrana (1822) and salvaged a 0-3 day with a draw with 4^th seed Bong Alipoon (2012).

The first game of the day was between 3^rd seed Jose Omega (2027) and top seed Roberto Hernandez (2056). In their Modern Defence game, the position is slightly better for Omega (white) until the 20^th move, when Roberto made a mistake on the 21^st … f4 that resulted in the collapse of his position with an exposed king. The game ended when Roberto is about to be mated in 2 moves on the 31^st move.

THE MOVES:

 Omega, Jose (2027) - Hernandez, Roberto (2056) [B06]

2005 Open (Palau) (3), 05.06.2005

          1. e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.c3 d6 4.Be3 Nf6 5.Nd2 0–0 6.Bd3 e5 7.Ngf3 Ng4 8.0–0 f5 9.exf5 gxf5 10.Bg5 Bf6 11.Bxf6 Rxf6 12.Bc4+ d5 13.Be2 Nc6 14.h3 Rh6 15.dxe5 Ngxe5 16.Nxe5 Nxe5 17.Nf3 Nxf3+ 18.Bxf3 c6 19.Qd4 Qg5 20.Kh2 f4 21.Rae1 Bf5 22.Re5 Rf8 23.Qxa7 Qh4 24.Rg1 Kh8 25.Qd4 Bxh3 26.Re8+ Kg8 27.gxh3+ Kf7 28.Rg7+ Kxe8 29.Qe5+          1–0

            2005 Regular Chess Tournament champion Menandro Manuel (2061) will skip this tourney but he will be at the tournament site occasionally to participate in blitz chess tournament to be held after all the regular scheduled games are completed.

            2^nd seed Cyril Montel, Jr. did not play in the 3^rd round and he is expected to play at least 2 games in the 4^th or 5^th round to catch up. He did not play also in the 1^st and 2^nd round.

            If James dela Cruz wishes to participate even in the middle of the tournament, he will be accommodated. He is residing at Airai View Hotel Annex Building which is 12 kilometers away from the tournament site. The time format will also be shortened for him to play as many games as possible.

           

            The other players that will miss this tournament are Lin de Guzman, Jess Toldoya, Ronald Maomay, Em-R de Vera, Christopher Domingo and Liam Bornovski.

Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez

                Tia Belau Newspaper

                Pages 9-10

                Volume 14

                June 10-17, 2005 

(1091) LAKOBONG, LACAMBRA, JR., MACAPAGAL --SPONSORS OF 2005 OPEN (TBN-May 13-20, 2005)

          LAKOBONG, LACAMBRA, JR. 
                        MACAPAGAL --
            SPONSORS OF 2005 OPEN 

BEFORE the awarding ceremony of the 2005 Regular Chess Tournament even begins, the next chess tournament – the 2005 Open Chess Tilt, have already got trophies and brilliancy game prize sponsors. Palau businessman Bendix N. Lakobong, his Operations Manager Leo Lacambra, Jr. and Production Manager Roswell C. Macapagal have agreed to host/sponsor the next chess tourney after talking to Knights and Rooks Chess Club (Palau) Chairman Roberto Hernandez. It will start on May 22 and will conclude on September 25 at Galaxy Video Center premises.

                During their conversation, they agreed to use the name T-Shirt Printing Atbp as the company with all of their names to be mentioned in all succeeding issues of Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez in Tia Belau Newspaper. Lacambra also designed the T-Shirt/Polo Shirt printing for players to order if they wished to have 2 shirts (white and dark green) wearing those while playing or as souvenir for participating in that event. They also agreed to have a brilliancy prize of $50.00 and will issue certificates of participation to players who paid their registration fee.

                In the 2005 Regular Chess Tournament (January 16-April 17), no certificates were issued to Eric Espartero and Joel Azana for failing to pay their $10.00 registration fee within that 3-month period. Those others who didn’t make it in the awarding ceremony will get theirs on the opening day of the event. They are Manuel Nedic, Em-R de Vera, Chris Domingo, Lin de Guzman, Mario Ramos, Marcial Rodriguez, Dennis Gonzales, Tutii Joe Chilton, Liam Bornovski and Ronald Maomay.

                The players who confirmed their participation are Menandro Manuel (2061 Approximate National Rating), Roberto Hernandez (2056), Cyril Montel, Jr. (2044), Jose Omega (2027), Bong Alipoon (2012), Ivan II Chess Computer (2006), Jimmy Valenzuela (1994), Mario Ramos (1890), Dennis Gonzales (1825), Gene Pastrana (1822), Joel Azana (1789), Morton Sawaichi (1780), Manuel Nedic (1759), Tutii Joe Chilton (1693), Eric Espartero (1579), Marcial Rodriguez (1571) and James dela Cruz (1500).

                It will be a single round-robin so 15 games will have to be played by each player. The time control is 90 minutes for each player to finish the game.

Adjournment is allowed if a player has to go back for work. The position must be recorded with the time remaining for each player and the player to move will seal his move and will give it to the Chief Arbiter (Hernandez). At the resumption of the agreed date, it will be open and play will resume.

Players can play as much as 2 games every Sunday and special games in different places can be arranged. For those late participants, the time control can be reduced to the agreed time control of both players.

Registration fee is $10.00. No certificates will be issued to those players who didn’t pay their registration fee like in the 2005 Regular Chess Tournament. Writing chess notations is mandatory either in English or Algebraic notations.

Solution to last week’s puzzle No. 3768: 1. Ne6++ Ke8 2. Qe7+!! Nxe7 3. Rd8 mate.

This week’s puzzle No. 3770: White to move and mates in 3 (Solution next issue)

Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez

             Tia Belau Newspaper

             Page 9

             Volume 14

             May 13-20, 2005 

(1081) WILL IT BE ALIPOON, OMEGA, OR MONTEL, JR.? (Manuel Bags 4th Blitz Title) TBN-Sept. 23-30, 2005)

IT'S DOWN to the wire finish between 3 contenders of 2005 Open chess championship after the penultimate round held on Sunday, September 18 at Privilege Family Store in Malakal and sponsored by Bendix N. Lakobong, Leo Lacambra, Jr. and Roswell C. Macapagal of T-Shirt Printing Atbp.

Fourth seed Bong Alipoon, with a 9-1-3 win-loss-draw record, dealt Jose Omega (11-2-1) his 2nd loss of the tournament and could bag his first-ever title if he would win his last 2 remaining games against top seed Roberto Hernandez and Ivan II Chess Computer. 

Rapid chess format was used to give Omega a chance to go to work on time. His adjourned game against 2nd seed Cyril Montel, Jr. was not resumed as the latter came in late and Omega has gone to work.

With 3 games remaining against latecomer James dela Cruz, Ivan II Chess Computer and Omega, Montel, Jr. is planning to play dela Cruz at his residence at Airai View Hotel Annex in the late afternoon of any day that they are available.

If time permits, he will play against the machine also. If Montel, Jr. would win all of his remaining games, we will clinch his first-ever title in 9 tournaments. He already won 4 runner-up trophies.

Omega will get his first-ever title if Alipoon would lose both of his last games and if he would win his adjourned game against Montel, Jr. while Hernandez (8-4-1) is assured of the 5th place finish even if he would lose his last 2 games.

There will be another tie for the Most Improved Player award between Gene Pastrana (again!) and Palauan bet Morton Sawaichi if the 2 would win their last games.

Sawaichi (7-7-0) needs to beat Jimmy Valenzuela (7-7-0) while Pastrana (6-5-0) has a task of beating 3rd placer Manuel Nedic (11-3-0) and dela Cruz (6-5-0).

In the 2005 Regular Chess Tournament, Pastrana lost to Dennis Gonzales (1-8-6) in the tiebreak for MIP honor.

Other non-bearing final game features Joel Azana (5-6-3) and dela Cruz. The rest of the players have already completed their games' results through defaults: Tutii Joe Chilton (0-8-6), Mario Ramos (3-8-4) Eric Espartero (4-7-4) and Marcial Rodriguez (2-11-2).

Ivan II Chess Computer (2-7-4) is in 4th place. Had they arrive on the final day, they could have replayed their default losses or draws.

Two-time champ Menandro Manuel bag his 4th blitz chess title of the year by a thinnest of margin (half point) over Nedic. Omega was able to play 10 out of 12 games and still in the running for the title when he left for work. His last 2 un-played games were declared draws.

FINAL STANDINGS:
1. Manuel (7-2-3) 2. Nedic (8-4-0) 3. Omega (7-3-2) 4. Hernandez (6-6-0) 5. Pastrana (4-6-2) 6. Valenzuela (4-8-0) and Lin de Guzman (2-9-1).

Manuel donated $10.00 of his cash prize for the fundraising to pay $476.00 to the World Chess Federation (FIDE) so that Palau chess players can participate in the 2006 World Chess Olympiad in Turin, Italy. He also pledged another $40.00

Palauan taxi driver Dennis Salii also pledged cash to support the fundraising while other players are waiting for their salary to start contributing. Pastrana also pledged $50.00 for the campaign.

Solution to last week's puzzle: 1. Kd4 f5 2. Qc1 mate.  

   

   

   

Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
               Tia Belau Newspaper
               Pages 9-10
              Volume XIV
              Issue 38
              September 23-30, 2005
        

(1071) 3-WAY TIE FOR LEAD (TBN-Aug. 19-26, 2015)

WORKING ON A 5-game winning streak, 2nd seed Cyril Montel, Jr. joined Jose Omega and Manuel Nedic at the top of the standings in the 12th round of 2005 Open Chess Tournament held on Sunday, August 14 at Privilege Family Store in Malakal and sponsored by Bendix N. Lakobong, Leo Lacambra, Jr. and Roswell C. Macapagal of T-Shirt Printing Atbp.

Montel, Jr. gave up a pawn and followed it up with a very neat 5-move deep combination starting with a rook sacrifice. As his opponent, Joel Azana, is facing mate in one or loss of a whole rook, he resigned as his queen is out of action for the defense in their Modern Defence game that last 30 moves. Their game is another addition for the qualification in the brilliancy game prize worth $50.00 courtesy of Lacambra, Jr., who showed the very nice trophies (6) to the Chairman of Knights and Rooks Chess Club --Hernandez.

In the first game of the day, Omega and Dennis Gonzales has to end their game as Omega's time schedule for the day is one hour earlier than the usual. A pawn down on the 48th move, Omega could have drawn the game by 3-fold repetition but opted to deviate. He sealed his 53rd move and gave it to Chairman/Arbiter (Hernandez) for resumption next week of Ruy Lopez game.

Jimmy Valenzuela had a rare 3-game winning streak after trouncing Gonzales in 25 moves of Four Knights Defence - Gioco Piano Transition. Valenzuela's luck runs out last week in the last game of blitz chess festival as he lost to Bong Alipoon in his final game. He needs just a draw to tie eventual winner Menandro Manuel, who won his last game over Lin de Guzman.

THE FINAL RESULTS OF SINGLE ROUND-ROBIN BLITZ CHESS FEST:
1. Manuel (5-1-1) 2. Valenzuela (5-2-0) 3. Roberto Hernandez (4-3-0) 4-6. Montel, Jr., Alipoon, Nedic (3-3-1) 7. Gene Pastrana (1-4-2) 8. De Guzman (1-6-0).

The latest edition of blitz chess fest produced a new and first time champion Nedic after he drew his last game against Montel, Jr. to tie Manuel for the lead but he swept Manuel to clinch the title in a winner-over-the-other tiebreak.

Hernandez placed 3rd again for the 3rd time after capturing the 2 previous tilts. Azana had played only 3 games when his ride going to Daewoo in Melekeok arrive and De Guzman continued his remaining matches. 

Half of the cash prizes were spent on drinks of the participants during the start of the 2nd round of the double round-robin event. 

Nedic is generous enough to spend the other half on drinks and just took $5.00 (registration fee offset). 

FINAL RESULTS:
1. Nedic (8-2-2) 2. Manuel (9-3-0) 3. Hernandez (8-4-0) 4. De Guzman (5-4-3) 5. Montel, Jr. (4-7-1) 6. Valenzuela (3-7-2) 7. Gonzales (1-11-0).

Solution to last week's puzzle: 1. Kc2 b4 2. Qa1 mate. If 1. ...Ka3 2. Qa5 mate.

The colored version of the featured photo. Ivan II Chess Computer is set up on one of the 2 tables that Nilo de Jesus has donated to Knights and Rooks Chess Club (Palau). Mechanical clocks are being used at that time.
                               (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)        

Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
             Tia Belau Newspaper
             Pages 9-10
             Volume XIV
             Issue 33
             August 19-26, 2005

(1069) OMEGA -- 7th CHESS CHAMPION (TBN-Sept. 30-Oct. 07, 2005)

Solution to last week's puzzle:

1.  ... g2+! 2. Ke2 Qf2+ 3. Kh3 d5 mate.

Second solution 1. ... g2+! 2. Kxg2 Qf2+! 3. Kh3 d5 mate.

Not 3. ...d6 as 4.  Be6 results in mate in 4, not 3.

Source:

Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez

Tia Belau Newspaper

 Pages 9-10

Volume 14

Issue 39

September 30-October 07,2005 

(1068) 2005 REGULAR CHESS TILT ROUND 10 -- CYRIL, MENANDRO WIN (TBN-March 25-April 01, 2005)

ROUND 6--2005 REGULAR CHESS TILT

             Gene Pastrana, left, felt the sting of Cyril Montel, Jr.’s play in the 6^th round of 2005 Regular Chess tourney, with the background of the name list and I. D. photos of Palau chess players since June 09, 2002. The first 3 names are the election officers – Roberto Hernandez (Chairman), Jimmy Valenzuela (Vice Chairman) and Danny Dandoy (Secretary). The handwritten sign “Lunch, Dinner, Karaoke – Upstairs” were also designed and made by Roberto, resident musician/disc jockey of Image Restaurant.

                                                   (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

2005 REGULAR CHESS TILT ROUND 10-

        CYRIL, MENANDRO WIN

ONLY 2 games were played in the 10^th round resumption of play of the 2005 Regular Chess Tournament sponsored by Bendix N. Lakobong, Leo Lacambra, Jr. and Roswell Macapagal of T-Shirt Printing Atbp. It was held at Privilege Family Store in Malakal on March 20, 2005.

                The first game featured the clash of top seed Roberto Hernandez (2034 National Rating) and 4^th seed Cyril Montel, Jr. (1940) in which Cyril won in 37 moves of French Defence (Unusual white’s 2^nd move). 

THE MOVES:

Hernandez, Roberto (2034) - Montel, Jr., Cyril (1940) [C00]

2005 Regular Chess (10), 20.03.2005

       1 .f4 e6 2.e4 Be7 3.d4 d5 4.e5 c5 5.Nf3 cxd4 6.Nxd4 a6 7.Be3 Nh6 8.Bd3 Nc6 9.0–0 Nxd4 10.Bxd4 b6 11.c3 f5 12.Qh5+ Nf7 13.Nd2 g6 14.Qh3 Bb7 15.a4 Rc8 16.Qe3 Bc5 17.Bxc5 bxc5 18.c4 d4 19.Qh3 a5 20.Ra3 Ba8 21.Rb3 Bc6 22.Ra1 g5 23.fxg5 Qxg5 24.Nf3 Qe3+ 25.Kh1 Bxf3 26.gxf3 Nxe5 27.Qh5+ Kd8 28.Qh4+ Kc7 29.Qe7+ Nd7 30.Bc2 Qf2 31.Rb7+ Kxb7 32.Qxd7+ Ka8 33.Be4+ fxe4 34.Qf7 Rhg8

0–1

            The other game featured 3^rd seed Menandro “Boy” Manuel (1948) and 7^th seed Bong Alipoon (1819) in which the former won to keep his untarnished and unbeaten run for another title.

            Because of the reluctance of many players to play as many games as they can, the next round, the 11^th, will be a no show (forfeit) results for absent players. There are 32 scheduled games of March 27, 2005.

ROUND 11                   March 27, 2005  (First mentioned name to play the white pieces)

1.Dennis Gonzales vs. Em-R de Vera 2. Mario Ramos vs. Roberto Hernandez 3. Chris Domingo vs. Dennis Gonzales 4. Manny Nedic vs. Bong Alipoon 5. Bong Alipoon vs. Liam Bornovski 6. Lin de Guzman vs. Mario Ramos 7. Chris Domingo vs. Bong Alipoon 8. Bong Alipoon vs. Mario Ramos 9. Roberto Hernandez vs. Lin de Guzman 10. Liam Bornovski vs. Jimmy Valenzuela  11. Joel Azana vs. Chris Domingo 12. Chris Domingo vs. Ronald Maomay 13. Liam Bornovski vs. Joel Azana 14. Chris Domingo vs. Mariano Agustin, Jr. 15. Ivan II vs. Liam Bornovski 16. Liam Bornovski vs. Morton Sawaichi 17. Lin de Guzman vs. Liam Bornovski18. Eric Espartero vs. Chris Domingo 19. Cyril Montel, Jr. vs. Chris Domingo 20. Mario Ramos vs. Liam Bornovski 21. Chris Domingo vs. Marcial Rodrigues 22. Chris Domingo vs. Liam Bornovski 23. Em-R de Vera vs. Ronald Maomay 24. Liam Bornovski vs. Manny Nedic 25. Liam Bornovski vs. Cyril Montel, Jr. 26. Mariano Agustin, Jr. vs. Liam Bornovski 27. Ivan II vs. Em-R de Vera 28. Liam Bornovski vs. Eric Espartero 29. Ivan II vs. Chris Domingo 30. Ronald Maomay vs. Liam Bornovski 31. Chris Domingo vs. Jose Omega 32. Jose Omega vs. Liam Bornovski


THE APPROXIMATE RATINGS OF ALL CONTESTANTS

1. Roberto Hernandez                       2034                 

2. Ivan II Chess Computer                2032

3. Menandro Manuel                         1948

4. Cyril Montel, Jr.                            1940

5. Jose Omega                                   1921

6. Jimmy Valenzuela                           1878

7. Bong Alipoon                                1819

8. Lin de Guzman                              1776

9. Mario Ramos                                1746

10. Joel Azana                                  1697

11. Morton Sawaichi                         1654

12. Dennis Gonzales                         1647

13. Gene Pastrana                            1646

14. Mariano Agustin, Jr.                    1636

15. Tutii Joe Chilton                          1510

16. Manuel Nedic                             1500

17. Eric Espartero                             1500

18. Marcial Rodriguez                       1500

19. Em-R de Vera                             1500

20. Christopher Domingo                  1500

21. Ronald Maomay                         1500

22. Liam Bornovski                           1500

Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez

             Tia Belau Newspaper

             Pages 9-10

             Volume 14

             Issue 13

             March 25-April 01, 2005 

(1065) 10 YEARS OF PALAU JOINING FIDE (TBN-Sept. 14, 2015)

ALL SMILES FROM ROUND 5 WINNERS AT NORWAY OLYMPIAD

Three players from Palau Chess Team score a victory each in the 5^th round of 2014 World Chess Olympiad in Tromso, Norway. From left, Roberto Hernandez, Angelica Parrado (Both Board 1 of Palau Open and Women’s Team respectively) and Board 2 Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. 

                                          (Photo by Roberto Hernandez) 

          10 YEARS OF PALAU 

              JOINING FIDE 

ALMOST two years of persistence bears fruit as Palau's application for International Chess Federation (FIDE) membership was approved by the FIDE Executive Board at its meeting in Dresden, Germany from August 1. In an email from FIDE Secretariat Elli Sperdokli, the membership is under the condition of fulfilling the financial obligations in a period not later than 3 months. And to contact the FIDE Treasurer, David Jarret for further information at david@fidechess.freeserve.co.uk

Knights and Rooks Chess Club Chairman Roberto Hernandez immediately notify Tutii Joe Chilton and they will have a meeting soon about the good news where chess players from Palau can now participate in international competitions. Many interested young and old players can now start training for World Chess Olympiad in Dresden, Germany.

In 2004, Chess Olympiad was held in Mallorca, Spain with 124 countries participated. Turin, Italy will host the 2006 Olympiad but it's too soon to prepare for it and Palau might be an observer first before it can participate in the biennial event.

Hernandez also notified the players about the development in the 13th round of the 2005 Open Chess tournament held Sunday, August 28 at Privilege Family Store and sponsored by Bendix N. Lakobong, Leo Lacambra, Jr. and Roswell Macapagal of T-Shirt Printing Atbp.

Jose Omega is now the solo leader after defeating Joel Azana in 38 moves of Modern Defence. He also collected half point after Dennis Gonzales accepted his offer of draw of the said game. Mario Ramos will withdraw from the tournament due to his transportation problem as he resides in Ngchesar.

Omega's win-loss-draw record is 8-1-1 and will play against Bong Alipoon in a special game on Wednesday at Omega's residence. This is allowed because Alipoon had only 2 days off in a week, Wednesday and Thursday. James dela Cruz, who resides in Airai View Hotel Annex and neighbor of Hernandez, is a late comer but still managed to play 3 games in semi-blitz format (15 minutes for each player to finish the game).

He lost to Jimmy Valenzuela, Alipoon and to Palauan bet Morton Sawaichi but won by default over Rodriguez and Chilton, who was very busy on Sunday and most of his games were losses or draws by default. Manny Nedic (8-3-0) is now in solo 3rd spot after clobbering Azana in 33 moves of another Modern Defence game where Azana missed the right queen defense and was mated instantly. Nedic lost to Alipoon later in the night and Alipoon is still the only remaining undefeated player.

            Idle Cyril Montel, Jr. (8-1-0) collected 2 default wins over Rodriguez and Chilton to keep abreast with Omega at 2n place. Their anticipated match seemed to be the championship game and will be their first ever title. Hernandez emailed Gary Bekker, the Oceania Zone 3.2b President and he responded with a very encouraging email.

He had made similar donation of chess sets and books to other Oceania nations such as Fiji and PNG, in an effort to further develop the chess community within the Oceania Zone.  He encouraged the Palau Chess Federation to stage an international event in the future. He said by joining FIDE, Palau will be able to stage international rating tournaments and send representatives to international competitions such as Oceania Zonal Chess Championships and the World Chess Olympiad. All Oceania chess federation sent teams to the 2004 Chess Olympiad. He also hopes to personally come over and help organize a FIDE rated tournament in Palau sometime in the future.

His suggestion is to run a 10-player all-play-all (round robin) tournament, in which the top six players from Palau compete against four overseas players with relatively low international rankings.

He suggests playing 2 games per day, like at 10:00 am and 4:00 pm over a period of one week. It would be necessary to provide a suitable tournament venue (a local hall or conference center), a reasonable prize fund, and discount accommodations for the international players.

He said that it would be important that all games are played, without any forfeits or withdrawals, and that each player scored a rating comparable to FIDE standard. The 3 best Palau players could expect to gain an international ranking. Such an event was held in Fiji during 2003 and several Fijian players gained their international rating from the event. He is sure to encourage 4 international chess players to take a chess-holiday in sunny Palau!

AND LOOK NOW, AFTER 10 YEARS OF JOINING THE WORLD CHESS FEDERATION, PALAU HAS ALREADY SENT PLAYERS TO OCEANIA ZONAL CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP IN AUSTRALIA IN 2009, IN 2010, 2012 AND 2014 WORLD CHESS OLYMPIADS, TWICE AT GUAM INTERNATIONAL CHESS TOURNAMENT IN 2013 AND 2015, IN WORLD YOUTH U-16 CHESS OLYMPIAD IN MONGOLIA AND CURRENTLY IN THE 2015 DATU ARTHUR TAN MALAYSIAN OPEN.

 At Oceania Zonal Chess Championship in June, 2009 with eventual champion GM David Smerdon, left, and 2009 Gold Coast Open Champion GM Gawain Jones, 2nd from left, and CM Joselito Marcos, who became the best friend of Roberto.                       (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

At 2010 World Chess Olympiad in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia with GM Wesley So and GM Darwin Laylo.

                                                            (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

With Russian Tutor (Guide) Jane Kiki and Titi Cabunagan. (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

From left, GM Eugene Torre, Tito Cabunagan, Cesar Caturla (Women's Team Captain of Phil. Team), Edmundo Legaspi (Open Team Captain, ACF Deputy President Toti Abundo and Roberto Hernandez.
                                                            (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

At the Opening Ceremony of 2012 World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey with GM Hikaru Nakamura, left, CM Bernardo Garcia and NM Menandro Manuel.   (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

With GM Wesley So, middle, NM Menandro Manuel, CM Bernardo Garcia, NM, FI Roberto Hernandez and Palau Team Captain Jamie Kenmure.             (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

The Palau Chess Team to 2012 WCO in Istanbul, Turkey with their uniform (Polo shirt) the same color as the chairs. (From left, Menandro Manuel, Bernardo Garcia, Elizabeth Manuel and Roberto Hernandez.)
                                                           (Photo by Jan-Olav Berglund)

This Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015 and the next 2 Sundays (Sept. 20, 27), the Palau Chess Federation will hold the non-FIDE rated event of choosing the No. 8^th, 9^th and 10^th top chess players of Palau by a tourney for reserves players like Manuel Mahor, Jr., Gonzalo Escapatoria, Jr., Eugene Labarda, Felix Oling, Glen Navarroza, Allan Alcid, Arnolfo Inres, John Mark Tamayo, Nilo de Jesus, Neph Macasaet, Josef Moyet and Sofronio “Pons” Mahor. Other players are also invited in this event where the Top 7 of Palau will not participate – 1. Roberto Hernandez 2. Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. 3. Tito Cabunagan 4. CM Bernardo Garcia 5. Jeffrey Balbalosa 6. Paquito Suringa, Jr. and 7. Dennis Gonzales.

Solution to last week’s puzzle No. 3785: 1. Qh7+!! Nxh7 2. Ng6+ Kg8 3. Bd5 mate.

This week’s puzzle No. 3786: White to move and mates in 3 (Solution next issue)

Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez

             Tia Belau Newspaper

             Pages 9-10

             Volume 24

             Issue 74

             September 14, 2015