(1205) Week 3 of 2007-2008 RAPID CHESS TILT (TBN-Dec. 07-13, 2007)

             Week 3 of 2007-2008 RAPID CHESS TILT

A FEW DAYS before Christmas, some players still have found time to play as many games as they can in the resumption of 2007-2008 Rapid Chess Tournament at Jean’s Boutique and Store or at Palau Royal Resort in the 3^rd week of the event.

                Koror State Legal Counsel Craig Dittrich trounced PRR Paul Garcia at Dormitory 1 of PRR while venue host Gene Pastrana lost to frontrunner Tony Villa at Jean’s Boutique and Store. Ashibi Restaurant cook Jose Omega was swept by Villa but he scored a victory over PRR’s Dennis Lara.

                NM Menandro ‘Boy’ Manuel subdued another PRR player Jaime Guevarra, the 2^nd runner-up in the 2007 Palau Royal Resort Rating Chess Tourney, while newcomer Joeven delos Santos was swept by the ever-improving Dittrich, who prefers longer time control.

                Andres ‘Aying’ Mestizo II is the latest addition to the ever-growing chess enthusiasts that’s willing to test their mettle against stronger opposition.

                Dennis Gonzales felt the sting of the moves of blitz chess specialist Villa and was overwhelmed by the oozing talent from the former student of Philippine National Master Allan Saysot. According to Villa, when he and NM Saysot are playing blitz chess, the odd is-- he will have 5 minutes to Saysot’s 2 minutes and it takes many hours of practice before he can score a draw or a win over the seasoned master. When he finally defeated him, NM Saysot gave him a chess set.

                Another newcomer, Michael Mercado from Aqua Water, showed a lot of potential in giving NM Manuel Nedic a lot of what he can squeeze off before halving the point in their first game and emerged victorious in their 2^nd game while Dittrich dropped a point to Pastrana, whom he had beaten in their first game. Dittrich suffered 2 more setbacks at the hands of Villa.

                Jose Omega and Roberto Hernandez, resident musician of PRR, played their 2 games at Palau Royal Resort Dormitory 1. The ‘home court’ advantage favors Hernandez as he swept Omega convincingly with a small crowd watching their games.

Solution to last week’s puzzle No. 3805: 1. Rg1+!! Keeping the queen out of action for the final blow… Qxg1 2. Qf5+ Kh4 3. Qh5 mate. With the queen still at h2, black can escape mate with 2. … Kh6.

This week’s puzzle No. 3806: White to move and mates in 3 (Solution next issue)  

Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez

             Tia Belau Newspaper

             Pages 9-10

             Volume 16

             Issue 49            

(1183) FIDE Ratings of Palau Players Published (TBN-July 05-11, 2010)

Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
             Tia Belau Newspaper
             Pages 13 & 15
             Volume 19
             Issue 27
             July 05-11, 2010

(568) 21 PLAYERS JOIN NATIONAL CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP (TBN-May 2-8, 2008)

           
THIS YEAR'S National Chess Championship attracts 21 chess players all around Palau to test their chess savvy and get a chance to have international ranking.

It is more than double of the last year's participants with the inclusion of inactive player Jose Misael G. de Jesus, Jr. or 'Jimboy', who played the first game of NCC on Saturday, April 26 against Koror State Legal Counsel Craig Dittrich in their Bishop Openig game.

Dittrich sacrficed a knight for a pawn on the 19th move and obtain a strong attack but overlooked another neat knight sacrifice two moves later and succumbed to pressure and resigned on the 28th move.

The first game on Sunday, April 27 was between 28-year old Michael Mercado vs. Jaime Guevarra, a 36-year old pastry chef at Palau Royal Resort and having his rare Sunday day off. Even without much preparation, Guevarra prevailed in 40 moves of Center Counter.

The surprise entree of the NCC is Ken Pastrana, the 10-year old youngest son of Gene Pastrana, who is Palau no. 4 with FIDE rating of 1870 and the venue host of the event which is Jean's Boutique and Store, just across Maris Stella School.

Another surprise entrant is Mohammad Manik Hossain, a Bangladesh national, who always practice with the older Pastrana on weekends.

Ken and Hossain played on Sunday and they drew their game via stalemate as Ken failed to maintain his overwhelming advantage into a victory in another Center Counter game.

Blitz chess specialist Tony Villa scored five consecutive wins against Hossain in 24 moves of Queen's Pawn Opening; over Jimboy in 27 moves of Bishop Opening; against Mercado in a marathon 76 moves of Queen's Pawn Opening; over Andres 'Aying' Mestizo II and basketball player Eric Espartero, who trounced Hossain in 54 moves of Petroff Defence.

Villa will be having a vacation on May 29 and he likes to finish all his games before going. Players are requested to play with him even on non-playing days.

Guevarra halved the point with Jimboy in 40 moves of King's Pawn Opening after realizing that there is no breakthrough in their bishop of opposite color endgame. And Guevarra had a 50% day of chess after losing to Palau's number 2 Jose Omega in their Sicilian Defence game encounter.

Mestizo was winless in 3 tries as he lost also to Jimboy and Espartero. He's neophyte in tournament game where writing chess notations is mandatory. The same fate happened to Mercado as he lost his third game to Espartero.

Omega has set a match against Dennis Lara, a cook at Palau Royal Resort, on Tuesday, April 29 at 12:00 to 3:00 pm at Dormitory 1 of PRR.

Other players who haven't seen action in the opening day are Menandro Manuel, Cyril Montel, Jr., Manny Nedic, who showed up but didn't play, Jess Toldoya, Arnel Pama, Elizalde Madrinan, Paquito Suringa (on vacation and will be back on May 14), Palau's no. 5 Roberto Hernandez, PRR Musician, and Jan Berglund, the International Arbiter/Trainer from Sweden who will come to Palau on May 15.

The tournament is still open to interested players like Dennis Gonzales, Val Vidar of PPR and the new worker (4-time champion in Philippines). Registration fee is $20.00. For more information, please call Roberto Hernandez at 488-2000 ext 114 or Gene Pastrana at 488-4640.

Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
              Tia Belau Newspaper
              Pages 13 & 15
              Volume 28
             May 02-08, 2008

(539) UPSETS MARK 2ND WEEK OF RAPID CHESS TILT (TBN-Nov. 30-Dec. 006, 2007)

MAJOR upsets were scored in the 2nd week of rapid chess tilt held on November 22, 24 and 25 at Jean's Boutique and Store that left no player undefeated except Paul Garcia, who hadn't played a game yet due to schedule conflict.

Venue host Gene Pastrana, who totes a 2-3-1 win-loss-draw record, scored a whole point over blitz chess expert Tony Villa (4-1-1) but lost to top seed Menandro 'Boy' Manuel (2-2-2) on the eve of November 22, a non-playing day.

Players who are available on any day can play to those who are available to avail of the most flexible schedule in the world. Villa and Manuel drew their game that night.

On Saturday, November 24, 2nd seed Jose Omega (2-1-1) drew also with Manuel and swept Koror State Legal Counsel Craig Dittrich (3-6-2-1), who played already 10 games so far and scored the first major upset of the day over Palau's first National Master Manny Nedic (2-1-0).

In disbelief, Nedic left the tournament site without talking to anybody but he clobbered his fellow NM Manuel earlier in the day.

Fourth seed Roberto Hernandez nipped Dittrich in more than 40 moves of Danish Gambit when the latter's time elapsed with an extra 15 minutes odd. 

On the official day of the tourney, November 25, Michael Mercado (2-2-0) of Aqua Water, won 2 and lost 2 games of his first serious tournament participation.

He upset Pastrana and Dittrich in both come-from-behind fashion where  Pastrana was ahead in material while Dittrich overlooked some simple moves while ahead by 2 pawns but in extreme time pressure and finally lost by time forfeit.

Mercado then succumbed to Hernandez in another Danish Gambit game and to 3rd seed Cyril Montel, Jr. (3-1-1), who was held to a draw by Dittrich in the last game of the day.

Jaime Guevarra, the 2nd runner-up in the Palau Royal Resort rating chess tourney, played 3 games on Sunday morning and lost all of them.

He showed strong resistance against Villa in their first game but his inexperience in the endgame cost him both games while in his game against Pastrana, he missed some strong continuation.

Dennis Lara (1-3-1) played 4 games on Sunday afternoon. He avenged his 1st week loss to Dittrich but failed to extract full point over Pastrana when he blundered away his queen that have them with both king remaining on the board.

He lost to Villa and Montel, Jr. while Manuel dealt Dittrich his 6th loss of the event.

Arnel Pama withdrew from participating due to his father's heart attack while Danny Dandoy didn't show up yet. 

PRR players will play whoever is available on Saturday morning from 10:00 - 12:00 noon.

          

Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
             Tia Belau Newspaper
             Page 13
             Volume 17
             November 30 - December 06, 2007 
  

(538) DITTRICH ON A PERFECT 2-0 START (TBN-Nov. 23-29, 2007)

KOROR State Legal Counsel Craig Dittrich had the best start of his chess career in the opening day of 2007 Rapid Chess tournament held on Sunday, November 18 at Jean's Boutique and Store. 

In his first game against Dennis Lara, the 1st runner-up in the Palau Royal Resort rating chess tournament, he survived a relentless attack when Lara made a blunder.

After a few hours, he played against venue host Gene Pastrana where he got 2 rooks and a bishop against Pastrana's queen.

He is in extreme time pressure when he mated his adversary and jumped in joy and went wild as he became the early leader of the double round-robin event.

He was surprised to learn that Pastrana can't beat him by time forfeit because Pastrana didn't have enough materials to force mate and if his clock expires, Pastrana could draw.

After checking the clock, Dittrich had only 20 seconds remaining in his clock.

                                               CRAIG DITTRICH -- Loves chess and music 



In the 3rd game of the day, 4th seed Roberto Hernandez couldn't sustain his initiative due to time pressure and lost to blitz chess specialist Tony Villa in more than 50 moves of Danish Gambit.

Top seed Menandro Manuel suffered another 1st round loss to 3rd seed Cyril Montel, Jr. while 2nd seed Jose Omega was beaten by 5th seed NM Manny Nedic.

And in the last game of the day, Villa clobbered Montel, Jr. to share the lead with Dittrich.

On Saturday, November 24, Jaime Guevarra will play whoever is available from 10am as he has to work at 1pm.

Lara, Arnel Pama, Paul Garcia and Hernandez will play whoever are available from 1:30-5pm.

Omega can come at PRR as visitor and play an official game against any available player during his free time and players from PRR can play at Dormitory 1 to maximize their playing hours against the top players of Palau.

Manuel and other players can do the same and PRR players will appreciate it.

Danny Dandoy and Michael Mercado of Aqua Water didn't show up in the opening day and they still have time to catch up in the 2nd week. 

Villa will have a Christmas break vacation on December 16 and if the tournament is not yet finish at that time, it will be resumed on the 2nd week of January 2008.

    Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
                       Tia Belau Newspaper
                       Page 13
                       Volume 17
                      November 23-29, 2007          

(310) CYRIL AND TITO: THE UNBEATABLES

CYRIL AND TITO: THE UNBEATABLES

SECOND seed Cyril Montel, Jr. is on a roll as he collected his 6th straight victory by clobbering top qualifier Michael Mercado in a marathon 70 moves of Gruenfeld Defence in the resumption of 2009 Palau National Chess Championship at D. J. Cruz General Merchandise premises.

Not to be overshadowed is the perfect 7-0 slate of Tito Cabunagan in the consolation round (Class B) after outsmarting Gonzalo Escapatoria in the resumption of their adjourned game with the latter resigning on the 43rd move of Center Counter.

Mercado bounced back from defeat and dealt Masum Billah his 8th loss in 33 moves of Slav Defence. Billah finished the NCC with 3 wins (over 4th seed Roberto Hernandez, Elpidio Manaligod and Craig Dittrich) and lost to the other 8 finalists.

In a special game held on Dec. 05, venue host Gene Pastrana bowed to Palau's no. 1 player Menandro 'Boy' Manuel in 56 moves of Ruy Lopez (Spanish Defence).

Pastrana is requesting the other players which he hadn't play with yet to play with him on any other day except Sunday. He's very busy on Sunday attending to the needs
of NCC players and acting as arbiter.

Bernardo Garcia, I. T. Manager of Palau Pacific Resort, tried to set a match with Hernandez but was asked to work overtime at PPR for changing their I. T. system with 2 Singapore nationals. He hopes to play at least 2 games next Sunday.

Windsor John Genova, a former reporter/writer of Tia Belau News, is now the editor of The International Filipino, a new newspaper on overseas Filipinos. He asked Hernandez to contribute a 700-word story about his extra-ordinary efforts to promote chess in Palau. It is for the 2nd issue of TIF on Dec. 16-31, 2009.

After submitting the article, Mr. Casto Abundo, Deputy President of Asian Chess Federation, emailed Hernandez also and said that they will publish that story in the Asian Chess Federation site and asked Hernandez for some pictures to go with the story, his, his family and chess in Palau.

The Executive Director of World Chess Federation (FIDE) Davit Jarrett, also emailed Hernandez that FIDE is creating an archive of all publications that include chess, whether in newspapers or magazines.

He asked to forward them a list of such publications in Palau, including names, addresses and emails of the publication. They would also be grateful for a list of chess journalists with their names, addresses and emails. And kindly forward the information to the FIDE Secretariat: office@fide.com

The Edgar Cayanan Cup Rapid Chess tournament at Palau Royal Resort was postponed due to the schedule conflict of most participants, who are also busy preparing for their production numbers for the Christmas party of PRR staff at Rip Tide on Dec. 19.

The NCC is sponsored by Bobby Pineda, Jun dela Cruz and Ogie Pineda ($60.00 cash prize) and by Bhoey Gopez of Island Logistics, Lucio Bandibas of WCTC and Ed Martinez of Print Zone (5 trophies).


Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
            Tia Belau Newspaper
            Pages 13 & 15
            Volume 18
            Issue 50
            December 14-20, 2009

MY ROOMMATE IS A GRANDMASTER AND MUSICIAN

Australia's top chess player Grandmaster (GM) Zong-Yuan Zhao, right, is a roommate of Roberto Hernandez, left, during the 2009 Oceania Zonal Chess Championship in Australia. He's also a musician like Roberto and plays the flute. The other roommates of Roberto were FIDE Master (FM) Rupert Jones of Papua New Guinea, Candidate Master (CM) Manoj Kumar of Fiji and Fernando Aguilar of Solomon Islands.

(Photo by Joselito Marcos)

(261) GARCIA, MERCADO, PAX SHARE LEAD WITH ELPI AND JUN

SPORTING GESTURE
Bernard Garcia, left, of Palau Pacific Resort, shakes hand with Craig Dittrich before the start of their second round qualifying round held on Sunday, September 06 at D. J. Cruz General Merchandise premises. Garcia prevailed to set up a match of unbeaten players in the 3rd round against Jun Mahor, farthest in the middle.
INSET:
MARIO RAMOS -- He's back.
ROMEO CABALLES -- 3 games in one day.
JIMBOY DE JESUS -- Very slim chance to make it.

(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

GARCIA, MERCADO, PAX SHARE
LEAD WITH ELPI AND JUNE

NEWCOMER Bernard Garcia, I.T. Manager of Palau Pacific Resort, joined the other 4 players with an identical 2-0 win-loss slate in the resumption of 2009 Palau National Chess Championship qualifying round held at D. J. Cruz General Merchandise premises.

Garcia survived a quality disadvantage (2 bishops and a rook against 2 rooks and a bishop) when Craig Dittrich missed a better defence to Garcia's onslaught.

Craig's passive ...h5 move resulted in a loss of 2 pawns and a shattered kingside formation despite having consumed 8 minutes for that one move, the longest so far.

The qualifying players don't take advantage of the very long time control. Some games were finished with almost 2 hours left to both players!

Prior to his match against Craig, Bernard crushed Romeo Caballes, a cook at Furusato Restaurant, in 31 moves of Bishop Opening.

Craig was given a default win over Zaldy Necia who set up the match with Bernard. Craig said that with the current situation, he can't play in the qualifying rounds.

If he makes it to the finals and somehow he'll leave Palau, his position will be taken by the 9th placer in that final standings.

In a special game held on Thursday evening of September 03, Michael Mercado trounced Jose Misael de Jesus in 52 moves of French Defence.

Jimboy suffered another setback by bowing to Caballes in 46 moves of another Bishop Opening.

On his 3rd round game vs. Mohammad Manik Hossain, Jimboy failed to cluster a crucial win and was upset by Manik in another Bishop Opening clash that virtually ousted him from getting international ranking.

Caballes played his 3rd round game of the day against Val Vidar of Palau Pacific Resort and prevailed in their Giocco Piano encounter.

In a special game held at Palau Royal Resort Dormitory 1 on Labor Day Monday September 07, Paquito 'Pax' Suringa, Jr. joined the unbeaten rank by nipping Andres 'Aying' Mestizo II in 37 moves of Queen's Pawn Opening.

It seems that 'home court' advantage is at their side as all matches held at PRR were won by its players--Jaime Guevarra and Pax.

Maybe it has an effect as Jaime lost his match against Michael Mercado in their French Defence clash at D. J. Cruz General Merchandise on the evening of September 08.

Joel Flor will be given a default win over Necia. The Tutii Joe Chilton vs. Flavin Andres match, to be played at PRR Dormitory 1 on the eve of September 07, was not played and it was declared a draw to set up the ----- 3rd round pairings as follows:

1. Garcia vs. Jun Mahor 2. Elpidio Malaligod vs. Michael Mercado 3. Tito Cabunagan vs. Mario Ramos 4. Masum Billah vs. Andres Mestizo II 5. Joel Flor vs. Jamie Guevarra 6. Pax Suringa vs. Craig Dittrich 7. Elizalde Madrinan vs. Flavin Andres 8. Tutii Joe Chilton vs. Zaldy Necia

If Necia will not show up again this week, Tutii Joe will win by default.


Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
            Tia Belau Newspaper
            Pages 13 & 15
            Volume 18
            Issue 37
            September 14-20, 2009

(258) CYRIL & TITO: THE UNBEATABLES

MY ROOMMATE IS A GRANDMASTER AND MUSICIAN
Australia's top chess player Grandmaster (GM) Zong-Yuan Zhao, right is a roommate of Roberto Hernandez, left, during the 2009 Oceania Zonal Chess Championship in Australia. He's also a musician like Roberto and plays flute. The other roommates of Roberto were FIDE Master (FM) Rupert Jones of Papua New Guinea, Candidate Master (CM) Manoj Kumar of Fiji and Fernandro Aguilar of Solomon Islands.
(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)


        CYRIL & TITO: THE UNBEATABLES

SECOND SEED Cyril Montel, Jr. is on a roll as he collected his 6th straight victory by clobbering top qualifier Michael Mercado in a marathon 70 moves of Gruenfeld Defence last Sunday, December 06 in the resumption of 2009 Palau National Chess Championship at D. J. Cruz General Merchandise premises.

Not to be overshadowed is the perfect 7-0 slate of Tito Cabunangan in the consolation round (Class B) after outsmarting Gonzalo Escapatoria in the resumption of their adjourned game with the latter resigning on the 43 moves of Center Counter.

Mercado bounced back from defeat and dealt Masum Billah his 8th loss in 33 moves of Slav Defence. Billah finished the NCC with 3 wins (over 4th seed Roberto Hernandez, Elpidio Manaligod and Craig Dittrich) and lost to the other 8 finalists.

In a special game held on Dec. 05, venue host Gene Pastrana bowed to Palau's number one player Menandro 'Boy' Manuel in 56 moves of Ruy Lopez (Spanish Defence).

Pastrana is requesting the other players that he had not played yet to play with him on any other day except Sunday. He's very busy on Sunday attending to the needs of NCC players and acting as arbiter.

Bernard Garcia, I. T. Manager of Palau Pacific Resort, tried to set a match with Hernandez but was asked to work overtime at PRR for changing their I. T. system with two Singapore nationals. He hopes to play at least 2 games on Sunday.

Windsor John Genova, a former reporter/writer of Tia Belau News, is now the editor and layout artist of The International Filipino, a new newspaper/magazine on overseas Filipinos.

He asked Hernandez to contribute a 700-word story about his extraordinary efforts in promoting chess in Palau. It is for the 2nd issue of TIF on Dec. 16-31, 2009.

Also about submitting the article, Mr. Casto Abundo, Deputy President of Asian Chess Federation, emailed Hernandez also and said that they will publish that story in the Asian Chess Federation site and asked Hernandez to send some pictures to go with the story, his, his family and chess in Palau.

The Executive Director of World Chess Federation (FIDE) Davit Jarrett, also emailed Hernandez that FIDE is creating an archive of all publications that include chess, whether in newspaper or magazines.

He asked to forward them a list of such publications in Palau, including names, addresses and emails of the publication.

They would also be grateful for a list of chess journalists with their names, addresses and emails and kindly forward the information to the FIDE Secretariat: office@fide.com

The Edgar Cayanan Cup Rapid Chess tournament was postponed due to the schedule conflict of most participants, who are also busy preparing for their production numbers for the Christmas party of PRR staff at Rip Tide on Dec. 19.

The NCC is sponsored by Bobby Pineda, Jun dela Cruz and Ogie Pineda ($60.00 cash prize) and by Bhoey Gopez of Island Logistics, Lucio Bandibas of WCTC and by Ed Martinez of Print Zone (5 trophies).


Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
            Tia Belau Newspaper
            Pages 13 & 15
            Volume 18
            Issue 50
            December 14-20, 2009

(247) GOPEZ,BANDIBAS,MARTINEZ

GIANT CHESSBOARD NOW WITH PIECES

Third round matches between Craig Dittrich, left, vs. Paquito 'Pax' Suringa, Jr. and Jaime Guevarra, 2nd from left, vs. Joel Flor. The giant chessboard with pieces now in the background was made by Roberto Hernandez 4 years ago as an added attraction to incite interest to chess in Palau mostly played outdoors. It's noisy most of the time but that's Palau's local chess!

INSET:

Michael Mercado -- Perfect 3-0 start.

Flavin Andres -- Shortest win of the tourney.

Jun Mahor -- Very active now.

(Photos by Roberto Hernandez)

BHOEY GOPEZ, LUCIO BANDIBAS,

ED MARTINEZ SPONSOR

5 TROPHIES;

BERNARD, MICHAEL, ELPI,

CRAIG SCORED 3RD WIN

MORE AND more supports are coming while the 2009 Palau National Chess Championship is on its penultimate qualifying round held on Saturday and Sunday (September 12 & 13, 2009) at D. J. Cruz General Merchandise premises.

Mr. Bhoey Gopez, the Operations and Logistics Manager of Island Logistics, Lucio Bandibas of WCTC and Ed Martinez of Print Zone are sponsoring 5 trophies. They are members of Alpha Phi Omega (APO) Palau chapter.

Mr. Ogie Pineda, his brother Bobby and Jun dela Cruz are ready to chip in for the cash prizes of the top 5 finishers of the NCC.

Mr. Gary Bekker, Oceania Zone President, is happy to fund any required application fees to have Palau Chess Federation affliated with Palau National Olympic Committee.

He will also seek for World Chess Federation (FIDE) Development Committee for several DGT clocks and a small laptop computer (netbook) to be provided to the PCF in the future.

Palau Chess Federation Secretary/Treasurer Roberto Hernandez responded with gratefulness to those persons especially to Mr. Bekker and asked him not to send DGT clocks as PCF has more clocks than chess boards and pieces.

Only 4 sets are left as players who left Palau for good brought with them these equipments.

Three employees of Palau Royal Resort (Jaime Guevarra, Paquito 'Pax' Suringa, Jr. and Elizalde Madrinan) are having the same day off on Saturday (Sept. 13) and they all went to the tournament site at 4:00 pm after Hernandez set 3 matches: 1. Joel Flor vs. Guevarra 2. Craig Dittrich vs. Pax and 3. Elizalde vs. Flavin Andres.

The 'home court' advantage is not on their favor as Eli suffered his 3rd straight loss to Flavin in just 18 moves of Petroff Defence when Eli lost his queen on the 8th move.

Jaime upended Joel in 53 moves of Sicilian Defence while Pax became impatient and was drubbed by Craig in 45 moves of Queen's Gambit Declined.

Eli was completely ousted from the top 8 with another loss to Jose Misael de Jesus in 37 moves of Irregular Opening in their 4th round clash.

Jimboy earned his first point after succumbing to 3 unknown opponents in the earlier rounds.

And in the last game of Saturday, Mohammad Manik Hossain was also ousted from the top 8 race with another setback. He was outplayed by Joel in 54 moves of Center Counter game.

Six games were played on Sunday, Sept. 13 with Bernard Garcia collecting his 3rd win in a row after trouncing Elpidio Manaligod in 47 moves of King's Pawn Opening.

Tutii Joe Chilton got a win via default when Zaldy Necia didn't show up again to keep his chance intact with 1.5 points.

But Mario Ramos' chances got slimmer when he bowed to Andres 'Aying' Meztizo II in 35 moves of Pirc Defence while Tito Cabunagan toppled Bangladeshi bet Massum Billah in 51 moves of another Center Counter game.

Manaligod bounced back from defeat and dealt Cabunagan his 2nd loss via 48-move conquest of Cabunagan in their Ruy Lopez 4th round encounter.

The longest game so far was the last game of the day --Romeo Caballes vs. Craig Dittrich that lasted almost 4 hours with Craig's patient play paid off and put Caballes' chances hanging in the balance.

Their game is full of controversies such as illegal move, pressing the time clock when it's not his move and improper use of force in putting down or capturing a piece.

These are natural incidents for first-time participants like Caballes, who excelled in badminton and many times single, doubles champion of the sport.

Players are reminded that the time control is 90 minutes to make 40 moves (not 30 moves as earlier announed) and 30 minutes more to finish the game with an increment of 30 seconds starting from move 1.

STANDINGS OF PLAYERS AND THEIR WIN-LOSS-DRAW SLATE:

1. Bernard Garcia (3-0-0) 2. Michael Mercado (3-0-0) 3. Elpidio Manaligod (3-1-0) 4. Craig Dittrich (3-1-0) 5. Andres Mestizo II (2-1-0) 6. Jun Mahor (2-1-0) 7. Jaime Guevarra (2-1-1) 8. Paquito Suringa, Jr. (2-1-1) 9. Romeo Caballes (2-2-0) 10. Tito Cabunagan (2-2-0) 11. Joel Flor (2-2-0) 12. Flavin Andres (1-1-1) 13. Tutii Joe Chilton (1-1-1) 14. Val Vidar (1-2-0) 15. Massum Billah (1-2-0) 16. Mario Ramos (1-2-0) 17. Mohammad Manik Hossain (1-3-0) 18. Jose Misael de Jesus (1-3-0)19. Zaldy Necia (0-3-0) 20. Elizalde Madrinan (0-4-0).

The last game of the 3rd round between 8

Jun Mahor and Michael Mercado was played on the eve of Sept. 17, 2009 and Mercado prevailed in 50 moves of Queen's Pawn Opening to set up a match of 2 unbeated players --Bernard Garcia and Michael Mercado on Sunday's 4th round matches.

The Guevarra vs. Suringa, Jr. game was played likewise on Sept. 17 at Palau Royal Resort Dormitory 1 and it's a draw in 34 moves of Sicilian Defence.

Another new player would like to join. He was advised to show up on Sunday, Sept. 20 and might replace Zaldy Necia.

He can not play anymore in the 2009 PNCC finals. His last 2 games is probably against Ramos and Madrinan in the 5th round.

The other 4th round matches are: 1. Vidar vs. Andres 2. Chilton vs. Billah and 3. Mahor vs. Mestizo II.

Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez

Tia Belau Newspaper

Pages 13 & 15

Volume 18

Issue 38

September 21-27, 2009

(244) DITTRICH, CABALLES NARROWLY MADE IT; MERCADO AT 5-0

PAQUITO SURINGA CUP AT PRR DORM 1

2009 Palau National Chess Championship finalist Paquito 'Pax' Suringa, Jr., right, organized the inaugural 'Cup' under his name with 6 chess neophytes participating. Joel Gabris, 2nd from left, Ferdie Altea, left, Morris Apresto, George Gabris, Jerome Ratunil and Rey Alenain, 2nd from right, who finished the single round-robin event with a 2-3 win-loss slate. Ratunil is 3-2 while Apresto is yet to lose a match at 4-0.

INSET:

Kristen Senajon -- Added excitement in Class B

Rustum Cabuso -- 3rd youngest participant

Bernard Garcia -- Darkhorse of the finals.

(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

DITTRICH, CABALLES

NARROWLY MADE IT;

MERCADO AT 5-0

THE TOP 8 qualifiers to the 2009 Palau National Chess Championship are now official with Craig Dittrich and Romeo Caballes narrowly making it despite Dittrich's loss to unbeaten Michael Mercado in just 18 moves of Queen's Gambit Declined.

Caballes' win over Andres 'Aying' Mestizo II in 37 moves of Queen's Pawn Opening secured Dittrich the number 7 spot and Romeo edged out Joel Flor at 8th place with a 9-7.5 tiebreak points.

Joel got his 3rd point via default win over Bernard Garcia, who made it to the finals with the highest tiebreak points of 12.5.

Earlier on Sept. 27 Sunday afternoon at D. J. Cruz General Merchandise premises, Elpidio Manaligod and Jun Mahor drew their 5th round game in 29 moves of King's Pawn Openig to avoid a jam-packed of 9 players with 3 points.

Mario Ramos won by default of Tutii Joe Chilton while the Tito Cabunagan vs. Flavin Andres match was declared a draw as Flavin didn't show up and Tito and his wife went to Guam for 2 weeks on Friday night.

Had Tito didn't go to Guam, he would have tied Craig and Romeo. And with the win-over-the-other tiebeak, Craig will make it. But still, Romeo will prevail in the second tiebreak of playing with the black pieces more (3 times) than Tito (2 times).

The Mohammad Manik Hossain vs. Elizalde Madrinan match was also a default draw while Jose Misael de Jesus got his 2nd point when the replacement of Zaldy Necia, Panfilo Pepito, Jr., didn't show up.

FINAL STANDINGS OF 20 PLAYERS AND THEIR WIN-LOSS-DRAW RECORD:

1. Michael Mercado (5-0-0) 2. Jun Mahor (3-1-1) 3. Elpidio Manaligod (3-1-1) 4. Bernard Garcia (3-2-0) 5. Paquito Suringa, Jr. (2-1-2) 6. Masum Billah (3-2-0) 7. Craig Dittrich (3-2-0) 8. Romeo Caballes (3-2-0) 9. Joel Flor (3-2-0) 10. Mario Ramos (3-2-0) 11. Tito Cabunagan (2-2-1) 12. Jaime Guevarra (2-2-1) 13. Andres Mestizo II (2-3-0) 14. Val Vidar (2-3-0) 15. Jose Misael de Jesus (2-3-0) 16. Flavin Andres (1-2-2) 17. Tutii Joe Chilton (1-3-1) 18. Mohammad Manik Hossain (1-3-1) 19. Elizalde Madrinan (0-4-1) 20. Panfilo Pepito, Jr. (0-5-0)

The 12-man NCC finals have been drawn and it's as follows:

1. Paquito Suringa, Jr. 2. Elpidio Manaligod 3. Roberto Hernandez 4. Jun Mahor 5. Michael Mercado 6. Cyril Montel, Jr. 7. Gene Pastrana 8. Masum Billah 9. Bernard Garcia 10. Craig Dittrich 11. Menandro Manuel 12. Romeo Caballes

THE CLASS B group (non-qualifiers) has been drawn likewise as:

1. Tutii Joe Chilton 2. Jaime Guevarra 3. Flavin Andres 4. Mario Ramos 5. Joel Flor 6. Jose Misael de Jesus 7. Elizalde Madrinan 8. Mohammad Manik Hossain 9. Val Vidar 10. Tito Cabunagan 11. Andres Mestizo II 12. Panfilo Pepito, Jr.

Kristen Senajon, an 18-year-old chess neophyte, has joined the Class B group to become the first women to participate in a Palau chess tourney in 3 years.

The last time that women participated in Palau's tilt was during the inaugural Ambassador Marino Cup in 2006. The 3 ladies were Flor Hernandez, Juvy Bulan and Minda Roa.

Rustum Cabuso, a 25-year old newcomer, joined the bandwagon of a very strong Class B. After Kristen paid her $10.00 registration fee, Rustum paid half of his to set up a 14-player round-robin slam bang.

The 2009 Palau National Chess Championship is sponsored by Jun dela Cruz, Bobby and Ogie Pineda of PALIBHASA ($60.00 cash prizes) and by members of Alpha Phi Omega (APO) Palau Chapter Mr. Bhoey Gopez of Island Logistics, Mr. Lucio Bandibas of WCTC and Mr. Ed Martinez of Print Zone.

Mr. Gopez is also planning to have a banner for this ongoing tournament.

Source: 

Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez

Tia Belau Newspaper

Pages 13 & 15

Volume 18

Issue 40

October 05-11, 2009