(1627) 12 REPS OF PALAU TO 2019 OZCC IN GUAM; 2019 PRCC TO START MARCH 03 (TBN-Feb. 25, 2019)

            2019 OCEANIA ZONAL CHESS                          CHAMPIONSHIP KEY PEOPLE

                  From left to right—Tito Cabunagan, Eric Ksau Surangel Whipps, Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr., Dennis Gonzales, all from Palau, (?), Shaun Press, Roger Orio, President of Guam Echecs, Paul Spiller, re-elected Oceania Chess Confederation President, Zhu Chen, the new Treasurer of FIDE and former World Women Chess Champion, Jamie Kenmure, (?) and Leon Ryan, former President of Guam Echecs.

12 REPS OF PALAU TO 2019 OZCC IN GUAM;
       2019 PRCC TO START MARCH 03

Originally, there are 33 players that are interested to join in the 2019 Oceania Zonal Chess Championship in Guam on Feb. 17-24 but only 12 made it. They are Palau Chess Federation President and Delegate Eric Ksau Surangel Whipps, Tito Cabunagan, CM Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr., WFM Angelica Parrado, Dennis Gonzales, Ksau Anthony Flores Whipps, Remrel Dizon, Angelil Sisior, Destiny Sisior, Kayah Iblai Flores Whipps, Reece Reklai and Mohammad Manik Hossain, who will proceed to Japan to participate in the prestigious Tokyo Marathon on March 03.

                The newly elected President of World Chess Federation (FIDE) Arkady Dvorkovich visited the event that gave a big boost for the Oceania Zone’s chess development with financial funds to help all deserving federations.

                There are 10 players in the women’s division with top seed WGM from Australia Julia Ryjanova (2289) leading the way followed by the WFM from New Zealand Vjanla Punsalan (1951), Australian Rebecca Stones (1822), Guam’s Olga Szekely, WFM Parrado (1554), Guam’s Myra Ollet (1454), Angelil (1439), Destiny (1432), Kayah (1083) and Guam’s Grace Co Estur (no rating).

                There are 36 players in the Open division with Palau players Cyril seeded 12^th, Tito—18^th, Dennis—23^rd, Ksau—24^th, Remrel—25^th, Manik—26^th and Reece—28^th. The top seed is GM Max Illingworth of Australia, whom I met in the 2009 OZCC where he doesn’t have a title yet. Some notable participants are 6^th seed CM Elmer Prudente, where we met him at 2018 World Chess Olympiad in Batumi, Georgia. He’s got his CM title there while PNG’s FM Stuart Fancy is 7^th seed followed by Enofre Efren Manuel of Guam whom I have drawn my game against him in 2014 WCO in Tromso, Norway.

                New Zealand CM Paul Spiller, the re-elected President of Oceania 3.6 Zone is seeded 9^th while at 10^th is FM Shaun Press of PNG. CM Leon Kempen of Australia, a regular participant in all Oceania Zonal, is seeded 11^th. Rudolph Soriano, Elias Tirador and Malcolm McFarland, all from Guam, are seeded 13^th-15^th respectively. I and McFarland were both team captains in 2018 WCO. He’s got a National Instructor title there after attending Trainers’ Seminar.

                CM Rogelio “Roger” Orio of Guam, President of Guam Echecs, is seeded 16^th while another player from Australia, CM Aurel John Buclu is 17^th. The 29^th-36^th seeded players from Guam are all unrated.

                As of 7^th round, Max is still undefeated with 6 points. Cyril has 3.5 points, Dennis and Ksau—2.5 points  each; Remrel (2), Manik (1) and Reece (1.5) had a BYE for an automatic 1 point score.

                The 2019 Palau Rapid Chess Championship will commence on March 03 till March 31 in this 9-round Swiss system event. Tito will be assigned as the Chief Arbiter for the next 2 tournaments in Palau for him to obtain an FA (FIDE Arbiter) title within this year. The time control is 15 min. + 5 sec. increment. The registration fee is $10.00 if paid already of one year membership fee of $20.00. There will be 2 games every Sunday except the last Sun. where there would be only 1 final round game and awarding will ensue.

             THE FOLLOWING ARE THE POSSIBLE                  CONTESTANTS WITH THEIR 
                       RAPID RATINGS:

1.       Cyril (1861) 2. Jeff Balbalosa (1792) 3. Me (1779) 4. Paquito Suringa, Jr. (1778) 5. Bobot Tan (1734) 6. Rustum Cabuso (1728) 7. Dennis (1694) 8. Angie Parrado (1692) 9. Angelo Salvadora (1646) 10. Gonzalo Escapatoria (1600) 11. Mohammad Manik Hossain (1595) 12. Samuel Palingcod (1567-Standard) 13. Angelito Mintar, Jr. (1554-S) 14. Remrel (1541) 15. Bheng (1525) 16. Neph Macasaet (1501) 17. Jun Mahor (1498) 18. Eugene Labarda (1483) 19. Jello Aguaras (1467-S) 20. Destiny (1458) 21. Rafael Paloma (1436) 22. Glen Navarroza (1424) 23. Ksau (1422) 24. Angelil (1397) 25. Joan Gemota (1372) 26. Reece (1345-S) 27. Leif Toribiong (1323-S) 28.Gian Gabriel Claronino (1290-S) 29. Charley Patris (1274-S) 30. Morton Sawaichi (1206) 31. Jennifer Angeles (1153) 32. Kyarii Sisior (1097) 33. Angelica Magno (1066) NO RATING TO THE FOLLOWING—34. Aome Angeles 35. Gian Paloma 36. Rommel Gulla 37. Michael Gulla 38. Nicholas Nehez 39. Flavin Andres 40. Joel Gemota 41. Brandon Kyle Soriano 42. Mary Jane Bojo 43. Mary Grace Capili 44. Jedidia Marinas 45. Wakako Sisior 46. Dave Cristobal 

Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
               Tia Belau Newspaper
               Pages 9-10
               Volume 28
               Issue 16
               February 25, 2019

              Chess and Music (Perfect Combination)
              The Beginning of Chess in Palau
              By Roberto Hernandez
              Soon to be published as a book

              Music and Me by Roberto Hernandez
              Tia Belau Newspaper
              March 15, 2012 -- April 18, 2013
              http://palau-chess.blogspot.com
              April 25, 2013 -- February 25, 2019

             The History of Chess in Palau
             By Roberto Hernandez
             June 09, 2002 -- February 25, 2019

               

                   

(1610) PENULTIMATE ROUND OF 2018 P.N.C.C. (TBN-December 17, 2018)

CONGRATULATIONS TO ANGIE PARRADO—WOMEN DIVISION CHAMPION

                  Angie Parrado, left, has been Palau women champion of all Palau National Chess Championship except when she decided to join the Top 10 Division of PNCC to gain more experience with stronger players. At that point, Baby Edna Mission, right, took advantage of her absence to claim her only PNCC championship. The teammates at 2014 and 2018 World Chess Olympiad in Tromso, Norway and Batumi, Georgia respectively have shown dedication to uplift the quality of chess in Palau, thereby gaining the first and only titled player of Palau (Women FIDE Master) for Angie.   (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

   PENULTIMATE ROUND OF 2018 

          Palau National Chess 

               Championship

AFTER the completion of the round 7 of the ongoing 2018 Palau National Championship on Dec. 09, the penultimate round was set up after the completion of the 7^th round as follows: Top seed Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. was upset by Jeff Balbalosa; 2^nd seed Bobot Tan took the measure of Glen Navarroza; Angelo Salvadora nipped Manuel “Jun” Mahor, Jr. in a match held on Dec. 05; Paquito Suringa, Jr. defeated Gonzalo “Jojo” Escapatoria; Tito Cabunagan and Samuel Palingcod halved the point; Dennis Gonzales missed the threat of mate by Anglito Mintar, Jr. with him ahead of 2 pawns; I defeated Charley Patris in 26 moves of Danish Gambit; Jello Aguaras scored another point when Mohammad Manik Hossain missed the right king move to g7 instead of f7 to lose a whole rook via knight fork; Neph Macasaet dealt Morton Sawaichi his 7^th straight loss and Remrel Dizon upended Reece Reklai.

                With these results, the penultimate round (8^th) was set as follows: 1. Jeff vs. Bobot  2. Cyril vs. Angelo 3. Paquito vs. Me (0-1 played on Dec. 14 at Palau Royal Resort Dormitory 1, where I won in 49 moves of Bird’s Opening) 4. Sam vs. Jello 5. Jun vs. Tito 6. Jojo vs. Angelito 7. Neph vs. Reece 8. Dennis vs. Morton 9. Manik vs. Glen and Charley vs. Remrel.

                In the women’s division, Angie Parrado defended her title again with a perfect 6/6 defeating all other 6 contestants. Angelica Magno likewise finished all her games with an equal 3 wins and 3 losses slate. Her victory over Parrado is void as explained in the letter of Jamie Kenmure that there would be a single round robin of a National Championship if the participants in a division is only 6 players.

                The rusty Joan Gemota finished all her 6 games as well, losing 4 and drawing 2 for one point total. Angelil Sisior is set to clinch the 1^st runner-up plum if she would win one of her 2 remaining games vs. Jennifer Angeles and Baby Edna Mission, who still needs to play Jennifer and Destiny Sisior, the younger sister of Angelil. Destiny need to play her last game against Mission.

THE MOVES: Suringa, Jr.,Paquito (1714) - Hernandez,Roberto (1708) [A85]

2018 PNCC Open Division (7), 14.12.2018 

    1.d4 f5 2.c4 Nf6 3.Nc3 e6 4.Bg5 Bb4 5.Qc2 Nc6 6.e3 0–0 7.Bd3 h6 8.Bxf6 Qxf6 9.Nge2 d5 10.a3 Bxc3+ 11.Nxc3 Ne7 12.cxd5 exd5 13.0–0 Bd7 14.Ne2 Ng6 15.Qxc7 Bc6 16.b4 b6 17.b5 Rfc8 18.Qg3 Be8 19.Rac1 Ne7 20.a4 g5 21.Bb1 Rc4 22.Rxc4 dxc4 23.Rc1 Bh5 24.Nf4 Bf7 25.Ba2 Rc8 26.Ne2 Kh7 27.h3 Bh5 28.f3 Bf7 29.Nc3 Nd5 30.Qe1 Nb4 31.Bb1 Kg7 32.Qd2 Re8 33.e4 Nd3 34.Bxd3 Qxd4+ 35.Kh1 Qxd3 36.Qxd3 cxd3 37.exf5 d2 38.Rd1 Re1+ 39.Kh2 Rxd1 40.Nxd1 Bb3 41.Nc3 d1Q 42.Nxd1 Bxd1 43.Kg1 Bxa4 44.g3 Bxb5 45.Kf2 a5 46.Ke1 Kf6 47.h4 gxh4 48.gxh4 Kxf5 49.Kd2           0–1

            Solution to last week puzzle No. 3495: 1. Qc3! Bxc3 2. Rh2#

             This week puzzle No. 3496: White to move and mates in 2 (Solution next issue)




Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
               Tia Belau Newspaper
               Page 9
               Volume 27
               Issue 100
               December 17, 2018

              Chess and Music (Perfect Combination)
              The Beginning of Chess in Palau
              By Roberto Hernandez
              Soon to be published as a book

             Music and Me by Roberto Hernandez
             Tia Belau Newspaper
             March 15, 2012 -- April 18, 2013
             http://palau-chess.blogspot.com
             April 25, 2013 -- December 17, 2018

             The History of Chess in Palau
             By Roberto Hernandez
             June 09, 2002 -- December 17, 2018

(1600) ROUND 3 PAIRINGS -- 6 PLAYERS ARE STILL UNDEFEATED (TBN-Nov. 12, 2018)

: 2^ND LOSS OF JENNIFER TUBTUB

                 Jennifer Tubtub Angeles lost her 2^nd game in the women’s division of 2018 PNCC to Destiny Sisior. She told me that there are 16 new students of Chess in School in PMA that is going on now. She will send me the names of those players/students so that I can prepare their Swiss Perfect file for their blitz tournament.                               (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

          

                   ROUND 3 PAIRINGS --
       6 PLAYERS ARE STILL UNDEFEATED

                Top seed unbeaten and Palau’s newest Candidate Master (CM) Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. will clash in mental combat with Bobot Tan in the match of undefeated top 2 seeds in the resumption of 2018 Palau National Chess Championship at Ernguul Park on Sunday, November 11 at 2pm onward.

                Angelo Salvadora vs. Tito Cabunagan and Gonzalo Escapatoria vs. Samuel Palingcod are two matches of another 4 unbeaten players.

              Even with heavy rain, the round 2 of 2018 Palau National Chess Championship proceeded with 18 players in the Open division slugging it out for a slot at 2020 World Chess Olympiad in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia.

                Top seed Montel, Jr. prevailed over me in 44 moves of French Defense while Palingcod nipped fellow newcomer Angelito Mintar, Jr. in 51 moves of Caro-Kahn Defense; 

Jeff Balbalosa bounced back from a setback last week to Mintar by clobbering Dennis Gonzales in 69 moves of another French Defense.

                Neph Macasaet dealt Jello Aguaras his 2nd defeat; likewise Manuel Mahor dealt Charley Patris his 2nd setback in 35 moves; Guam Oceania Zonal Chess Championship and Tokyo Marathon-bound Manik Hossain upended Morton Sawaichi in 46 moves.

               It’s a draw between Tito Cabunagan and Gonzalo Escapatoria and Reece Reklai whipped Glen Navarroza (Osman M Marte) in 26 moves for his first win outside junior division. The longest game of the day was between Remrel Dizon and Angelo Salvadora that lasted 59 moves of Sicilian defense with Angel prevailing to set up the 3rd round pairings on Sun. Nov. 11 as follows: 1. Cyril vs. Bobot Tan 2. Angel vs. Tito 3. Jojo vs. Samuel Palingcod 4. Paquito Suringa Jr. vs. Neph 5. Manuel Mahor vs. Me 6. Jeff Balbalosa vs. Manik Hossain 7. Mintar vs. Remrel 8. Dennis vs. Reece 9. Glen vs. Jello Aguaras and 10. Morton Sawaichi vs. Charley.

In the double round-robin junior division, Michael Gulla and Gian Gabriel Claronino split their 2 games as well as the 2 matches of Kyarii Sisior and Rommel Gulla at 1-1 apiece.

And in the only game in the women's division, Angelica Morales Magno took advantage of Bheng Codinera Mendoza blunder and prevailed in 28 moves to wrap up the very busy 2nd round.

     In the last issue of Chess Mate, the players’ new ratings for the month of November has been published with 2 new masters of Palau added – CM for Cyril and WFM for Angie. As usual in the last 3 World Chess Olympiads, the participants were always losing FIDE rating points after those Olympiads.

     Cyril lost only a minimal 5 points from 1882-1877; Bobot Tan lost also 6 points from 1823-1817. Palau’s no. 3 Angelo lost the most ratings points of 86 from 1772-1686 to drop from 3^rd to 8^th for winning only 2 games out of 9 in Batumi, Georgia Olympiad despite playing at Board 3 in the Open section. Likewise, Rustum Cabuso lost 29 points from 1730-1701 to slide from No. 4 to No. 6 playing at Board 4 winning only 1 game and drawing one against Seychelles.Leif Toribiong lost 19 points from 1323-1304.

     Palau’s first and only WFM Angie lost 35 rating points from 1559-1524 while her daughter Angelil Sisior lost the 2^nd most points of 62 from 1476-1414. Baby Edna Mission had a decrease of 39 rating points from 1475-1436 while Angelica Magno lost 16 points from 1105-1079.

     The only consolation is for Joan Gemota for adding 8 rating points to her 1346 to now 1354! She had a chance to be a Woman Candidate Master is she had won her last round game vs. Bermuda with a 3-4 win-loss slate.

Solution to last week’s puzzle No. 3794: 1. Qxc5+!! dxc5 2. Nc4+ Kb5 3. Rb6#

This week’s puzzle No. 3795: White to move and mates in 3 (Solution next issue)

Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez

               Tia Belau Newspaper

               Pages 9-10

               Volume 27

               Issue 88

               November 12, 2018

              Chess and Music (Perfect Combination)

              The Beginning of Chess in Palau

              By Roberto Hernandez

              Soon to be published as a book

             Music and Me by Roberto Hernandez

             Tia Belau Newspaper

             March 15, 2012 -- April 18, 2013

             http://palau-chess.blogspot.com

             April 25, 2013 -- November 12, 2018

             The History of Chess in Palau

             By Roberto Hernandez

             June 09, 2002 -- November 12, 2018

(1596) ROUND 1 OF 2018 PNCC; 38 PLAYERS WILL SLUG IT OUT (TBN-Oct. 29, 2018)

: MANIK TO 2019 OZCC IN GUAM AND TOKYO MARATHON

                    Mohammad Manik Hossain, right, confirmed his participation to the 2019 Oceania Zonal Chess Championship in Guam on Feb. 17-24 and will proceed from there to participate in the Tokyo Marathon (March 03, 2019) where 330,000 runners applied but only 37,000 were given invitation to participate. Manik is the only runner from Palau to be invited to the prestigious Tokyo Marathon!

                                                      (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

          ROUND 1 OF 2018 PALAU

 NATIONAL CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP;

    38 PLAYERS WILL SLUG IT OUT

Jennifer Angeles and Angelica Magno played the only game of the Sunday (Oct. 21) Opening round of 2018 Palau National Chess Championship with Magno mating Angeles on the 21^st move. 14 players in the Open division have paid their reg. fee of $20.00 but 4 of the others have failed to complete their dues. They are Glen Navarroza, Charley Patris, Morton Sawaichi and Jello Aguaras.

                Charley and Morton promised me to pay on Wed. Oct. 24 but failed to do so. I have to do something to have a pairing available to Open players as early as Friday, Oct. 26 for the 1^st round on Oct. 28 in the Open Swiss system format: I paid for Morton, Glen and Charley’s dues of $20.00 each and $40.00 for Jello to come up with this 1^st round pairings: (First name to play the White pieces) 1. Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. vs. Remrel Dizon; 2. Neph Macasaet vs. Bobot Tan; 3. Angelo Salvadora vs. Jun Mahor; 4. Mohammad Manik Hossain vs. Tito Cabunagan; 5. Paquito Suringa, Jr. vs. Glen Navarroza; 6. Charley Patris vs. me; 7. Jeff Balbalosa vs. Jello Aguaras; 8. Samuel Palingcod vs. Dennis Gonzales; and Gonzalo Escapatoria vs. Morton Sawaichi, who promised to pay me the $20.00 before the start of the 1^st round. Jello, on the other hand, had paid his dues to Dennis Gonzales on Fri. evening.

                This pairing may be altered again if Lenge Gibbons will show up and pay his $20.00 reg. fee + $20.00 one year membership fee. He will not be playing in the junior division to make that division with only 5 players if Dims Alexander, Gian Paloma, Reece Reklai and Nicholas Nehez will not be playing. In that case, it will be a double round-robin event for Gian Gabriel Claronino, Michael and Rommel Gulla, Kyarii Sisior and Aome Angeles.

                Angelil and Destiny Sisior were put at the Women’s Division for them to have stronger opposition and be ready to prepare for 2020 World Chess Olympiad in Russia where both Open and Women’s Palau Team will have at least 2 Palauans in each section. Morton, Charley, Lenge, Clarence Kitalong and Reece are being targeted to fill the Open section.

                The Women’s section 1^st round pairings is: 1. Gladys Anne Paloma vs. Destiny Sisior 2. Angeles-Magno (0-1) 3. Baby Edna Mission vs. Joan Gemota 4. Benerica Daligdig vs. Angelica Parrado and 5. Tau’o Ngirmeriil vs. Angelil Sisior.

                A 10-player blitz chess contest was held after the completion of the only game played on opening day. There’s a $1.00 registration fee with the $5.00 going to the champion, $3.00 to 2^nd place and $2.00 to 3^rd place. The contestants are top seed and Palau’s newest CM Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr., Bobot Tan, Jeff Balbalosa, me, Tito Cabunagan, Angelo Salvadora, Manik, Paquito, Glen and Jun Mahor. In the final game between Angelo and Jun, 4 players are tied with 6 points each (Bobot, Tito, Jeff and Jun). If Jun would win his match, he would tie Cyril at 7 pts. But it’s not meant to be as the draw clinched Cyril another blitz title and Jun the 2^nd place finish. Jeff, Bobot and Tito just donate the $2.00 to PCF.

                The final standings: 1. Cyril (7 wins, 0 draw, 2 losses) 2. Jun (6-1-2) 3. Bobot (6-0-3) 4. Tito (6-0-3) 5. Jeff (6-0-3) 6. Pax (5-1-3) 7. Me (3-1-5) 8. Glen (3-0-6) 9. Angelo (1-1-7) 10. Manik (1-0-8).

                Solution to last week’s puzzle No. 3792: 1. Qg4+!! Bxg4 2. Rxh6+!! gxh6 3. Bf7#

                This week’s puzzle No. 3793: White to move and mates in 3 (Solution next issue)

Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez

               Tia Belau Newspaper

               Pages 9-10 

               Volume 27

               Issue 86

               October 29, 2018

              Chess and Music (Perfect Combination)

              The Beginning of Chess in Palau

              By Roberto Hernandez

              Soon to be published as a book

             Music and Me by Roberto Hernandez

             Tia Belau Newspaper

             March 15, 2012 --April 18, 2013

             http://palau-chess.blogspot.com

             April 25, 2013 -- October 29, 2018

             The History of Chess in Palau

             By Roberto Hernandez

             June 09, 2002 -- October 29, 2018

                   

(1056) SCHEDULE OF 2013 WYCC IN UAE (TBN-Dec. 16, 2013)

PCF CHRISTMAS PARTY ON DEC. 22

Eugene Labarda, right, suggested to Roberto Hernandez to have a Christmas party of chess players at Bethlehem Park or at their staff house. Each player is asked to bring one dish for everybody to share. The tentative date is Dec. 22 (Sunday). Others in the photo (penultimate round of 2013 Palau Blitz Chess Championship), from left, John Joseph Pabiona, Remrel Dizon, Tito Cabunagan, Sib Reyes, Alfredo Pacenos, Jr. and Elpidio Manaligod.

(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

SCHEDULE OF

2014 WYCC IN U. A . E.

FOR THE first time in Palau Chess history, a junior player will be participating in the 12 and under division of 2013 World Youth Chess Championship in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates with Ksau Anthony Whipps to be accompanied by his dad Eric. The duo left Palau on Friday, the 13^th of December and will stay in UAE with their friends before arriving in Al Ain on Dec. 17 (Tue).

                The following is the schedule of 2013 WYCC:

                Arrival of about 1,700 participants/delegation/arbiters on Dec. 17

                Opening Ceremony at 20:00 on Wed. (Dec. 18) – Technical Meeting at 11:00 and Ceremonial Moves at 14:30 and the 1^st round will start at 15:00.

                2^nd round will be on Dec. 19 (Thu) at 15:00 and 3^rd round on Dec. 20 (Fri) at 15:00

                4^th round will be on Dec. 21 (Sat) at 9:00 where Ksau will not play. It will be Eric’s decision if he will not play also in the 5^th round on the same day (Sat) at 16:00.

                6^th round will be on Sunday (Dec. 22) at 15:00. 7^th round on Mon. Dec. 23 at 15:00 also.

                7^th round will be on Tue. Dec. 24 at 10. Blitz Championship will be at 18:00 and the Cultural Celebration at 20:00.

                Christmas Day (Dec. 25) is free day.

                9^th round will be

on Thu. (Dec. 26) at 15:00. 10^th round will on Fri. Dec. 25 at 15:00 also.

                The final (11^th) round will be played on Sat. (Dec. 28) at 9:00. Ksau will not play in the final round but will attend the Closing Ceremony at 20:00.

                Departure is on Dec. 29 (Sun).

                On Dec. 12, Eric emailed Casto ‘Toti’ Abundo about why is Ksau was put in the 14 and under catergory where 196 players are listed in the very strong division where the top seed have a FIDE rating of more than 2400. THE FOLLOWING IS THE EMAIL AND THE RESPONSE FROM TOTI:

                Hello Toti, Can you check Ksau’s category as I believe he should be playing in the open under 12 category as his birthday is April 17, 2001. The rules state that, ‘A player must not have reached his … 12^th birthday respectively, before January 1^st of the year 2013. Please also see the players in the attached photos and the categories they were placed under. I appreciate it if you could look into this matter.

http://www.worldyouth2013.com/regulation/2         Regards, Eric

                Dear Eric, You make a good chess Arbiter. Attached is your son’s ID card for the under 12. Thanks, Jamie.  Regards, Casto Abundo.

                ANOTHER EMAIL FROM MR. ABUNDO ABOUT THE FREE VISAS, AIR TICKETS AND ACCOMMODATION:

                Dear Eric, Attached are your tournament ID cards. Electronic visas to follow. We need an invoice for your tickets and your bank account number to transfer the funds to purchase the ticket. A travel agency there can help you. You can fly either to Dubai or Abu Dhabi to arrive 17 Dec. and depart 29 Dec. There will be university buses at the airport to take you to Al Ain. More information on the website

www.worldyouth2013.com                    Regards, Casto Abundo

Solution to last week’s puzzle: 1. …Nf4+ 2. Ke4 or Ke3 Re2 3. Kxf4 Be5 mate.

This week’s puzzle: Black to move and mates in 3 (Solution next issue)

  Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
               Tia Belau Newspaper
               Pages 9-10
               Volume 22
               Issue 100
               December 16, 2013

(833) RESULTS OF THE 1ST ROUND OF THE 2014 PNCC (TBN-Nov. 24, 2014)

:                          FIRST GAME OF 2014 PNCC – Angelil vs. Cyrelle

                               Angelil Sisior, left, and Cyrelle Ann Montel, right, has already started their game when Ultei Angelie Surangel and Robert Godwin Sola are about to start their game as well. Both Angelil and Ultei won their games to start the 2014 PNCC Junior Division on a positive note.

                                                 (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

                       RESULTS OF THE 

               FIRST ROUND  2014 PNCC 

IT WAS the biggest turnout of participants in the history of chess in Palau! It was held at Bethlehem Park on Nov. 16, 2014. A total of 23 games were played with the last one lasting till 6:30pm. Some players used the flashlight of their cell phones to provide light in a 71-move marathon match of Gonzalo ‘Jojo’ Escapatoria and newcomer Felix Oling.

                1. Woman National Master Angelica Parrado (1615 FIDE rating) clobbered newcomer Jade Mariur in 18 moves of French Defence (unusual 2^nd moves). 2. Parrado’s daughter and co-member of the Team Palau in 2014 World Chess Olympiad in Tromso, Norway Destiny Sisior (1497) made short work of Kayah Iblai Whipps (1089) in just 15 moves of Hungarian Defence and Gioco Pianisimo.

                3. The dark horse in the Open division Marcial Santander outwitted Leif Toribiong in 26 moves of French Classical Defence. Toribiong didn’t write N, R, B, Q and K in his notation.

                4. Baby Edna Mission (1536) clash with WCO teammate Joy Flores Whipps (1296) and got a victory in 23 moves of Latvian and Elephant Gambits.

                5. Kayah was swept the D. Sisior as their 2nd game ended in a quick 9-move victory of top seed Sisior of French Defence (unusual 2^nd moves) and thus became the first player to score 2 straight wins.

                6. Angelil Sisior (1423), Destiny’s older sister, made it a winning family trio as she outlasted Cyrelle Ann Montel (1390) in 32 moves of Caro-Kann Defence.

                7. Jo-Arl Cris Ulap (1353) bowed to popular basketball player Arnold Undecimo (1274) in another 32 moves of Two Knights Defence (Max Lange Attack).

                8. Ultei Angelie Surangel (1105) nips unrated beginner Robert Godwin Sola in 30 moves of Unusual Replies to 1. d4. Sola had a hard time writing chess notations but his handwriting is better and clearer than other adult participants.

                9. Senator Surangel Whipps, Jr. (1311) lost to Manuel Mahor, Jr. (1475) in 43 moves of Colle System. They used the state-of-the-art digital chessboard but not connected yet to power outlet.

                10. Joey Jaime Balute (1159) bowed to Undecimo in 21 moves of English Opening (unusual replies for black). Undecimo is now the first player in the Open division to score 2 straight points.

                11. CM Bernardo Garcia (1758) lost to Nilo de Jesus (1624) in 45 moves of English Opening (4 kinds of variation). On the 44^th move, Garcia asked Roberto Hernandez about the promotion of Nilo’s queen. He said that in Norway, an International Arbiter told him that if a player didn’t say anything about the promotion of the pawn, it will stay as a pawn, which is ABSOLUTELY WRONG!

                12. Glen Navarosa (1294) can’t sustain his one-piece advantage and lost instead to newcomer Nelson Sablan in 74 moves of Ruy Lopez (Steinitz Defence)

                13. Eugene Labarda (1529) drubbed Geoff Martin (1370) in 30 moves of another Ruy Lopez (Bird’s Defence).

                14. 2^nd seed National Master Tito Cabunagan (1825) didn’t anticipate 4^th seed National Master Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. (1795) 34^th brilliant move Rxc2 and lost after that blow in their Caro-Kann Defence (Panov-Botvinnik Attack) clash.

                15. Palau Chess Federation President FA Eric Ksau Surangel Whipps (1347) subdued Toribiong in 37 moves of French Defence (unusual 2^nd moves). Toribiong writes chess notations better this time.

                16. Rafael Paloma (1612) was upended by Dennis Gonzales (1701) in 64 moves of Sicilian Defence (Lowenthal and Katashnikov Variation).

                17. Roxanne Parco (1155) lost to Rafael’s wife Gladys Anne Paloma (1460) in 30 moves of Unusual Black’s 3^rd move.

                18. In the shortest game so far of the event, FA Eric Whipps was mated by Balute in just 5 moves of Latvian and Elephants Gambits.

                19. But Balute lost to Eric’s brother Senator Whipps, Jr. in 17 moves of French Tarrasch. Both players lost their queens without compensation.

                20. Sola avenged his lost to Ultei with a 39-move conquest of d4 d5 Nf3 Sidelines.

                21. Remrel Dizon (1559) was outmaneuvered by Christopher Kitalong and lost in 45 moves of Bishop Opening. Kitalong’s chess notation needs improvement.

                22. NM, NA, FIDE Instructor Roberto Hernandez (1815) sacrificed a pawn in the middle game to gain momentum and more mobility of his pieces to out-duel top seed Menandro Manuel (1852) in 31 moves of Bird’s Opening. Roberto whipped 9^th seed Paquito ‘Pax’ Suringa, Jr. (1701) on Thursday, Nov. 13 (40 moves-English Opening) to become the 1^st player in the Top 10 division to score 2 straight points.

                23. Gonzalo Escapatoria (1599) maintained his one-piece advantage to beat Felix Oling in 71 moves of Sicilian Defence (unusual white 2^nd move) to follow Undecimo with 2 points each. His first round win is by default, likewise with Felix.

                Special game was held at Palau Royal Resort Dormitory 1 between Manuel and Suringa, Jr. on Nov. 20, wherein they call a truce (draw) after 41 moves of Queen’s Gambit Declined.

                Solution to last week’s puzzle No. 3755:  1. Qg7+!! Rxg7 2. hxg7+ Ke8 3. Rh8 mate.

              This week’s puzzle No.3756:  White to move and mates in 3 (Solution next issue)

Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
             Tia Belau Newspaper
             Pages 10-11
             Volume 23
             Issue 94
             November 24, 2014