(610) DICHEM TMETCHUL, KYARII SISIOR JOIN 2013 PNCC (TBN-Sept. 23, 2013)

PALAU NEXT NATIONAL MASTER?
     Jose Celiz, right, is still undefeated after subduing Paquito Suringa, Jr., left, on Saturday's special game at Celiz' residence. Roberto Hernandez congratulated him on his way to become the next Palau National Master if he continues to play better against his remaining opponents -- Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr., Rustum Cabuso, Dennis Gonzales, Rafael Paloma and Nilo de Jesus.                                                               (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)


DICHEM TMETCHUL, KYARII SISIOR
                      JOIN 2013 PNCC 

Things are getting better even if it’s the last 3 weeks of the 2013 Palau National Chess Championship with the inclusion of a 4-year-old girl Kyarii Sisior and 10-year-old Dichem Tmetchul to the Junior Division of the event.

                Kyarii replaced the spot of George Anzawa, who is now in England for his studies. She is always in the tournament site every Sunday at Bethlehem Park. Upon confirming her participation, she practices chess with elder sister Destiny, who is leading their division with 3 straight victories followed by Ksau Anthony Whipps with 2 straight.

                Roberto Hernandez asked Angie Parrado, the mother of the 3 sisters (Angelil, Destiny and Kyarii) if Destiny and Kyarii would like to play their official game last Sunday, Sept. 15. She suggested to Destiny not to beat her youngest sister but she declined. Because she’s leading the junior division and a draw might jeopardize her chances when she can easily beat Kyarii like what she did in their practice game.

                Roberto had another chance to talk with Senator Mlib Tmetchul last Sept. 17, 2013 and Roberto suggested to have his daughter Dichem join the ongoing PNCC so that she can have a FIDE I.D. and international rating and be eligible to be one of the members of Palau Women Chess Team if there are at least 2 withdrawals from the current line-up of Angie Parrado, Gladys Anne Paloma, Baby Edna Mission, Joy Flores Whipps and Elizabeth Manuel.

                If this thing happens, Senator Mlib can save for the accommodation of Dichem, which he intends to be with him and his wife Dixie in the 2014 World Chess Olympiad in Tromso, Norway on Aug. 01-14 as the Head of Delegation of Palau Chess Team. The other standby woman player is Lilibeth Cabunagan, the wife of Tito Cabunagan.

                Roberto will now teach Dichem chess twice a week. If she is an excellent piano student, she can be an excellent chess student as well. A VERY WELCOME DEVELOPMENT FOR PALAU WOMEN’S CHESS!

                RESULTS OF THE 7^TH WEEK OF 2013 PNCC:

                Rustum Cabuso keeps the lead with 5-2-0 win-loss-draw record after subduing another National Master Tito Cabunagan(2-4-1) in 40 moves of English Opening. Tito played another game against Jeff Balbalosa (2-2-3) and they agreed to a 27-move draw of Queen’s Pawn Opening.

                Cabuso also played his 2^nd game of the day against top seed NM Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. (4-2-0) and lost in the longest game of the event so far that lasted till 9pm!

                Paquito Suringa, Jr. (0-3-0) had an hour break from work and asked Gene Pastrana (3-3-1) to play using only 30 minutes (Rapid). Gene declined and they played in the original time control. With Paquito rushing his moves because of shortness of time, he committed a blunder and lost.

                He played against the unbeaten Jose Celiz (5-0-1) on Saturday, Sept. 21 at the latter’s residence and lost his 4^th straight in a game that was reduced to 1 hour each to finish the game so that Suringa can work at 11:30 am.

                 Celiz defeated Hernandez (3-4-0) in 48 moves of Modern Defence. Hernandez congratulated Celiz after his win over Paquito and said, “Congrats to Palau next National Master (NM).”

                Candidate Master Bernardo Garcia (4-2-1) keeps his chances intact for the title with a victory over Nilo de Jesus (2-2-0) in 42 moves of another English Opening.

                The other 2 players in the Top 12 Division are Dennis Gonzales (1-5-1) and Rafael Paloma (0-1-0).

                In the Reserve Division, Eugene Labarda (5-2-0) seized the leadership after trouncing erstwhile leader Remrel Dizon (4-2-0) in 45 moves of Bishop Opening while Alfredo Pacenos, Jr. (3-2-0) kept abreast with the leaders after clobbering Glen Navarosa (1-4-2) in 57 moves of Center Counter.   Mohammad Manik Hossain (2-2-0) is requesting Glen, Remrel, Jon Manuel Reyes (0-0-4) and Manuel Mahor, Jr. (3-1-0), to play with him on Friday at 2pm onwards or whole day of Saturday. He still has a chance to make it to the top 5 in their division.

                The other players in the Reserve Division are Fernan John Velarde (1-2-0), John Joseph Pabiona (0-4-1), Jaime dela Cruz (1-2-2), Eric Ksau Whipps (1-1-4) and Senator Mlib Tmetchul (1-0-3).

                In the women’s division, the much awaited match of Baby Edna Mission (5-1-0) and Gladys Anne Paloma (4-1-1) will decide who will be the runner-up to Woman National Master Angelica Parrado (6-0-0). Other participants are Joy Flores Whipps (2-1-3), Ma. Florida Hernandez (3-1-3), Lilibeth Cabunagan (1-3-4), Visitacion Rave (1-2-3), Leizl Michael (1-4-1), Paz Ngiratechekii (1-5-2), Remelyn Pascual (1-2-3), Rowena Ngiralmau (1-4-2) and Elizabeth Manuel (0-2-4).

                Solution to last week’s puzzle: 1. Rg8+!! Rxg8 2. Bf6+ Rg7 3. Rd8 mate. If 1. … Kxg8 2. Rg1+ Kh8 3. Bf6 mate.

Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
             Tia Belau Newspaper
             Pages 9 & 10
             Volume 22
             Issue 76
             September 23, 2013

(609) 3RD. AMB. MARINO CUP CANCELED; Part 2 of Mr. Berglund (TBN-Jan. 12-18, 2009)

MR. Jan-Olav Berglund have been an organizer/arbiter at many international tournaments, matches, invitationals and Swisses, and of course of national tournaments at all levels as well as coach at various international tournaments for juniors and for seniors, male and female, teams and individuals.

He was also in the chess mail order business, like Gary Bekker, for about 20 years.

He was a major dealer in Northern Europe and was also represented with a booth at the Olympics in Thessaloniki, Greece both times, Dubai and Novi Sad.

He had written/edited about 25 books published on his then chess book company and a couple published elsewhere.

In the mid-90's he was the headmaster of a state-run chess college for national and international students in Sweden.

Unfortunately, the Swedish economy when down then and about 360 sports schools were reduced to 36.

The two government chess colleges (The Chess Federation run one of them, he and former world champion Anatoly Karpov run the other one) had to shut down and have not reopened since.

He is continuing being in touch with some of his students by email since then. He still have in his possession a 16,000 volume chess library where the President of Asian Chess Federation is interested to have.

Some top players of Palau still don't believe that Mr. Berglund exists. For them, to see is to believe and seeing Mr. Berglund to come to Palau is the ultimate reason for them to believe.

The Chairman of Palau Chess Federation, Francis 'Sno' Temaugil was given a copy of all emails of Mr. Berglund (from Sept. 27, 2007-December 2008) by its Secretary/Treasurer Roberto Hernandez.

Another copy was given to Gene Pastrana and he was requested to lend it to other non-believers for referral.

Mr. Berglund also suggested to have a yearly election of officials of Palau Chess Federation.

Philippine Ambassador to Palau Ramoncito Marino, the top chess supporter in Palau, has cancelled the 3rd Ambassador Marino Cup due to tight budget caused by the world economic crisis.

In his conversation with Hernandez on Sunday evening and Monday morning, he said PCF should now concentrate in the Oceania Zonal Tournament 2009 (The first international step to qualify for the World Chess Cup) to be held in Brisbane on the Australian Gold Coast on June 20-28, 2009.

The Ambassador promised to get a discount for players' airfare from Philippine Airlines.

The Australian Gary Bekker, president of Oceania Zone, has promised that one male and one female players from Palau will get full board and lodging and free entry to the Zonal.

The players need to should their own air tickets and visas, which cost $75.00 and will take one month to process as the embassy here will forward it to Pohnpei and the applicants need to shoulder also the payment of its return.

Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
               Tia Belau Newspaper
               Pages 13 & 15
               Volume 18
               Issue 02
               January 12-18, 2009
                   


         

(608) JANUARY 2004 LIST OF TOP 50 CHESS PLAYERS OF PHILIPPINES

NINE years and nine months ago, the Philippines had only 4 Grandmasters and their top player is IM Mark Paragua (2529) followed by GM Rogelio 'Joey' Antonio, Jr. (2523) and the vintage Asia's first GM Eugene Torre (2521).

At 4th is IM Rogelio Barcenilla (2502) and another GM at 5th --Buenaventura 'Bong' Villamayor (2469).

At no. 18 is IM Jayson Gonzales (2403), who became the Team Captain of Philippine Team to 2012 World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey.

GM Jayson Gonzales and NM/NA Roberto Hernandez of Palau with the Philippine Women Team before the start of their games at 2012 World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey.   (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

No. 29 Darwin Laylo (2328)is not even a FIDE Master then as well as no. 31 Oliver Barbosa, who did very well in 2012 Olympiad beating GM Gawain Jones of England in 103 moves.  

A pictorial with GM Oliver Barbosa at the bleachers of Wow Convention Center, the venue of 2012 World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey.                                          (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

GM Oliver Barbosa, left, at the bleachers with Palau teammates and couple Menandro Manuel and wife Elizabeth the day after Barbosa defeated England's Board 2 player GM Gawain Jones.
                                                              (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

Wesley So vs. Michael Adams (draw), Oliver Barbosa vs. Gawain Jones (1-0), Eugene Torre vs. Nigel Short (1-0).                                                               (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)



At no. 37 is Woman International Master Arianne Caoili. She said, "I'm tired of begging for sponsorship just to play abroad. It's time to change colors."

Now she is representing Australia, where I met her there in the 2009 Oceania Zonal Chess Championship. She was the champion then and 2nd seed.

I met her again in 2010 World Chess Olympiad in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia and in the 2012 World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey.

Board 1 Arianne Caoili at 2012 World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey.
                                                           (Photo by Shaun Press)   

Australian Men's Team -- GM David Smerdon, Moulthun Ly, Stephen Solomon and Max Illingworth.
                                                                             (Photo by Shaun Press)

At no. 53 is WM Christine Rose Mariano, who applied to Roberto Hernandez as Team Captain of Palau Team to 2010 World Chess Olympiad in Russia. 

The position was given to Australia's Jamie Kenmure as an appreciation for him being the Rating Officer of Palau.
He is also the Team Captain of Palau in Istanbul.

Roberto Hernandez, left, and next to him Mr. Gary Bekker, met in 2006 at Palau Invitational Chess Championship. They meet again in 2009 Oceania Zonal Chess Championship and in the 2012 Olympiad.
                                                                                   (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)


The most surprising is this list is no. 36 Julio Catalino Sadorra, just became a GM a few months ago and now Phil. no. 2 at 2585.

Wesley So is just 9 years old at this time but he's now the no. 1 chess player of the Philippines with 2710 rating, the best rating that a Filipino player have gotten this high and world's no. 34.

The top 11 players of the Philippines are all GMs with Torre now at no. 10 and Roland Salvador at 11th.

No. 3 is Mark Paragua, 4. Oliver Barbosa 5. Joseph Sanchez 6. Rogelio Antonio, Jr. 7. John Paul Gomez 8. Darwin Laylo 9. Rogelio Barcenilla  
   


Source: History Of Chess In Palau
            By Roberto Hernandez
            September 2013
            To Be Published As A Book In The Future 

(607) BEING A FIDE CACDEC COUNTRY (TBN-Dec. 22-28, 2008)

IF PALAU will become a CACDEC (Committee for Assistance to Chess Developing Countries) country, it needs to meet the World Chess Federation (FIDE) CACDEC Development Goals (2006-2010):

1. All CACDEC Federations must have at least 5 FIDE Rated Players by 2007 and newly affiliated Federations within 2 years of achieving FIDE membership.
      (This has been achieved by Palau with 6 FIDE rated players now -- Menandro Manuel, Jose Omega, Cyril Montel, Jr., Gene Pastrana, Roberto Hernandez and Manny Nedic).

2. The National Championship of each CACDEC federation is registered and FIDE-rated by the end of 2008 and each year thereafter.
     (This have been done also and the 2008 Palau National Chess Championship is still ongoing with 22 players participating).

3. All CACDEC Federations must have at least one (1) FIDE Arbiter on International Arbiter by the end of 2009.
      (This would be on the part of Mr. Jan Berglund to be accomplished ).

4. All CACDEC Federations must have at least one (1) indigenous FIDE certified Trainer by the end of 2010.
      (This is also on the part of Mr. Berglund to accomplish.)

5. All CACDEC Federations must have chess in schools program by the end of 2009.
     (The 4 women, with US origin, who had offered to help out and play in the 2008 Dresden, Germany Chess Olympiad for Palau have put together a program for this. The start was scheduled for January 2009. What will happen now, after the way they were treated by FIDE at the Olympiad, Mr. Berglund don't know if he can motivate them once more to help out. They had spent much money, out of their own pockets, on expensive airplane tickets to get to Dresden. The school work for Palau was supposed to be honorary. It is a pity, as they are retired professional teachers with genuine chess interest and have run a small chess academies in other US protectorates earlier.)

6. All CACDEC Federations must have a Junior Squad Development Program to accelerate the development of its best junior players by the end of 2007.
     (Palau do not meet up with this, yet. It is supposed to be on Mr. Berglund's part. However, his honorary contract ended by the end of this year's Olympiad. He was offered another contract extension.)

7. All CACDEC Federations must participate in their Continental Youth Championships for 2008, 2009 and 2010.
     (Palau don't have the resources for this for the time being.).

8. All CACDEC Federations with more than 10 active rated players and no FIDE titled players as of July 01, 2008 must produce at least 1 FIDE Titled player by 2010.
     (This is also on Mr. Berglund's part to accomplish.)

One of the 2 aims of Budget Proposal 2006-2010 of Mr. Berglund is to win the recognition of Palau National Olympic Committee (PNOC) as this would give Palau a budget to go to the next FIDE Chess Olympiad in Siberia (2010) and the FIDE Congress (2010).

Applications have been sent in 2005 and 2008. Both have been denied. Reason being, Palau Chess Federation do not have enough activities. And the activity that Palau have is 90% Philippine community.

PNOC wants to see activity in all communities. Palau has got 11 inhabited islands. To get them involved in future national championships, Mr. Berglund have, together with some expertise, put together a test project for this purpose, with the help of internet.

Funds for this have been asked from the FIDE Computer and Internet Chess Committee. Providing this committee gets its budget approved, Palau will be granted $3,000.00 for this test project, which would in the end be applicable on all spread out FIDE member federations.

Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
            Tia Belau Newspaper
            Pages 13 & 15
            Volume 17
            December 22-28, 2008        

     

    

 

(606) CHESS REPRESENTATION BY CITIZENSHIP (TBN-Dec. 15-21, 2008)

MR. CASTO Abundo, the Deputy President of Asian Chess Federation, had emailed 46 Asian countries affiliated with World Chess Federation (FIDE) about the question of: "Who can play for your country in official FIDE team events? Only citizens of foreign residents?"

Mr. Abundo, who is also a member of FIDE Constitutional Committee, had referred the topic during the meeting of the Technical Commission about the proposal of President Prospero Pichay of National Chess Federation of the Philippines that only citizens can represent a nation in a FIDE team event.

The Commission decided to transfer the problem to the FIDE Constitutional Committee with the suggestion to take into consideration the IOC rules.

It is quite serious problem and should also be discussed by the Presidential Board and then be given to lawyers to study FIDE Regulations and IOC Regulations, according to Mr. Andrzej Filipowicz.

Mr. Jan Berglund, Palau official Delegate, emailed:
     "The wish of Palau Chess Federation is that foreigners are allowed to play." While the United Arab Emirates President Dr. Sulaiman Al Fahim answered and confirm again: UAE supports keeping the current regulations which allow foreigners or foreign residents to play in official FIDE team events. 
      We do understand that some countries not using or don't like to use this rule, but many others are using and many others like to use as this will help promoting chess in many countries.
      For myself as a CEO of FIDE Commercial and from a commercial and marketing point of view, I recommend and urge FIDE to keep the current regulations that allow foreigners to play in FIDE team events as it is already allowed since many years ago.
     This rule helps to promote chess game in many countries and to attract more sponsors in for major FIDE events, like the first World Club Cup to be held in Abu Dhabi, UAE in 2009.

In his long conversation with Roberto Hernandez on Friday, December 05, 2008, Mr. Berglund will consult the Asian Chess Federation President Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al-Nehyan about the major problem for Palau- the isolated location.

Extraordinary travel costs are needed for expertise or for rated players to come to Palau to compete or for Palau players to get out and take part internationally.

More than 80% of his proposed budget is travel expenses. His suggestion to the Sheikh is to have FIDE get its own chartered plane in which he can fly as he is a licenced pilot.

The Sheikh has the resources to make this possible and it will make a lot of countries like Palau to participate internationally without problems about airfare and travel costs.

Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
               Tia Belau Newspaper
               Pages 13 & 15
               Volume 17
               December 15-21, 2008   


      

(605) INVITATION TO PLAY IN NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA (TBN-Dec. 08-14, 2008)

THE President of Oceania Zone Mr. Gary Bekker of Australia has sent an invitation to Palau Chess Federation Secretary/Treasurer Roberto Hernandez and Gene Pastrana to play in Queenstown Classic chess tournament in New Zealand (January 15-24, 2009) and in the Oceania Zonal tournament in Gold Coast Australia in July 2009.

Mr. Bekker is willing to give free accommodation for these two prestigious chess events and an airfare subsidy of $500.00.

He is trying to get some more sponsorship from Asian Chess Federation President Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al-Nehyan for the rest of the airfare.

Upon consulting Mr. Pastrana, he can't go to these tournaments unless a full airfare sponsorship is provided.

The same thing to Hernandez as he has already taken his annual leave during the 2008 World Chess Olympiad date (Nov. 12-25), where their visa a week late and were unable to play for team Palau.

Mr. Bekker also extended the invitation to other top players of Palau Menandro Manuel, Cyril Montel, Jr., Dennis Lara, Craig Dittrich and even to Arnel Pama and Tony Villa, who are not in Palau anymore.

Hernandez forwarded the invitation to Allan Diez, who placed 3rd in the 2nd Ambassador Marino Cup (Palau Invitational Chess Championship) in 2007.

He is capable of buying his own airfare to the said events.

During the Chess Olympiad in Dresden, Germany, Mr. Bekker already promised to help out with at least free board and lodging and $500.00 as a contribution to Hernandez if he decided to go to Queenstown.

He'll share his room with Hernandez but didn't mention about the food.

Mr. Bekker also promised Mr. Jan Berglund, Palau Delegate to the Chess Olympiad, to be one of the arbiters at the Queenstown and Zonal but when Mr. Berglund talked to the main organizer, Grandmaster Murray Chandler, there is no budget for any more arbiters and Mr. Bekker said that he doesn't need any more arbiters for the Zonal in Brisbane, Australia.
 fro
It means that Mr. Berglund is not going to these 2 tournaments and rather save those airfares and spend it in going to Palau instead.

He's hoping to go to Brisbane to coach one or 2 players from Palau and will see if there are any funds available to obtain that. 

Also mentioned in the conversation is the school project for Palau. Mr. Bekker said that he had someone from the Philippines, who could come for a month.

The very same person will go for a month in Papua New Guinea. The salary for this person will be taken care of by someone so that it would not cost Palau anything.

In Dresden, Mr. Bekker also promised the 4 professional and retired teachers from USA/British Virgin Islands the airfares to go to Palau and teach. 

The four women have spent from their own money to travel to Dresden without getting able to play for Palau women's team in the end.

Mr. Berglund thinks that it would be a much better idea to have these women as there would be responsible for this teaching for the entire semesters and they could inspire more women to start to play chess as well as waken up the USA community in the island to take part in the local tournaments.

In Hernandez' last day off (Sunday, Nov. 30), a blitz chess contest was held at Jean's Boutique and Store.

The other players were Manny Nedic, Gene Pastrana and Koror State Legal Counsel Craig Dittrich.

Hernandez emerged as champion by sweeping Pastrana and Dittrich and split his match with Nedic for a total of 5 wins and a loss.

Pastrana was 2nd with a 3-2-1 win-loss-draw slate. Nedic was 2-3-1 and Dittrich scored his only win against Nedic and finished with 1-5-0.

Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
               Tia Belau Newspaper
               Pages 13 & 15
               Volume 17
               December 08-14, 2008