(7) BONG ALIPOON--"Mr. Consistent" (TBN-May 23-30, 2003)

NO BETTER THAN 5TH PLACE
    Bong Alipoon, left, receives his trophy of another 5th place finish in Palau chess tournament from Roberto Hernandez, the Chairman of Knights and Rooks Chess Club (Palau).   (Photo by Roberto Hernandez -- Taken by Tutii Joe Chilton)


Bong is the only player who dealt eventual champion Eddie Grefiel the latter's only loss in the 2002 All-Filipino chess tilt. He finished 5th in that tourney and won a trophy for Senior Best Scorer.

At the 2002 Open Chess tournament, he again defeated Grefiel and finished 5th again with 20 wins, 6 losses and one draw. He received another trophy and $10.00 cash prize.

And at recently concluded 2003 Open chess tilt, he tied for 5th again after beating Grefiel for the 3rd time.

He is really a consistent player and he never sits while playing. He is 44 years old and the 4th seed in the upcoming Age Group chess tilt.

This week's featured opening is the Modern Benoni Defence: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e6 4. Nc3 exd5 5. exd5 d6 6. e4 g6 7. Bf4 Be7

Solution to last week's puzzle: 1. Nf5+ Kd2 2. Rd1+ Kc2 3. Ne3 mate.

When solving chess puzzles, try not to touch the pieces. Solve it like you're playing a tournament game. That will help you improve your play.

Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
               Tia Belau Newspaper
               Page 13 
               Volume 12 
               May 23-30, 2003 

(6) ALIPOON LEADS TOURNEY (TBN-June 20-27, 2003)

Winners of the 2003 Open Chess Tournament (left to right) -Cyril Montel, Jr. (3rd Runner-up Class A), Ben Ramos (3rd, Class B), Amante Caballero (1st Runner-up Class B), Menandro Manuel-Champion Class A, Roberto Hernandez, Chairman of tournament and author of Chess Mate.

(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

BONG ALIPOON now leads the classification round of the 2003 Age Group Chess Tournament sponsored by TFCP and Cris Gonzales, who is donating 4 trophies for the Class A category's top 4 finishers.


Alipoon drew with top seed Menandro Manuel to finish the 5-round Swiss System tourney with 3.5 points. Manuel has 3 points and still undefeated in 4 games while idle Cyril Montel, Jr. (3 pts.) will face Robert Hernandez (3 pts.) and Manuel in his last 2 games on Sunday.

Jun Mahor (3 points) qualified to Class A after beating newcomer Genaro Manlaya while Hernandez beat Jimmy Valenzuela in 65 moves of Danish Gambit.

Other results of penultimate round: Mike Miguel, Jr. d. Mario Ramos; Mariano Agustin, Jr. d. Ivan II chess computer; Edgardo Enarsao d. Eugene Koh; Ivan II d. Jon Lagumen and Norbert Villanueva drew with Lagumen.

In the kiddie category, 8-year old and top seed Dmitri Villanueva swept Chris Domingo 3-0; Jayrome Soriano and I. B. Misech drew their match by default draw.

This Sunday is the final round of classification. Tutii Joe Chilton will play 4 games, Manlaya--3 games, Agustin, Jr. and Allan Palomo -- 2 games.

Source:
Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Page 13
Volume 12
June 20-27, 2003

(5) MONTEL, JR. LEADS AGE GROUP TOURNEY (TBN-June 13-20, 2003)

MONTEL JR. LEADS AGE GROUP TOURNEY

SECOND SEED Cyril Montel, Jr. has grabbed the solo lead in the 3rd round of the 2003 Age Group Chess tournament sponsored by The Filipino Community in Palau (TFCP) by defeating Mario Ramos with the black pieces of a Ruy Lopez (Open Defence) last Sunday.

Idle Bong Alipoon and Menandro Manuel are in 2nd and 3rd places respectively while 2 newcomers fight it out in their very first after Allan Palomo defeated Jon Lagumen. The latter drew with Mariano Agustin, Jr. and Roberto Hernandez mated Ben Ramos in 26 moves of a Sicilian Defence (Alapin Variation).

Other results of adult category: Jun Mahor d. Norbert Villanueva; Agustin, Jr. d. Mike Miguel, Jr.; Eugene Koh d. Miguel, Jr.; Mahor d. B. Ramos; Mahor Jr. d. Palomo and B. Ramos lost his 4th straight game to Palomo. He finished the classification round with 1 point.

In the 12 years and under category, Jayrome Soriano beat top seed Dmitri Villanueva 2-1 in their best-of-three game while Chris Domingo was swept by Ivan II Chess Computer 3-0.

Chess computer programs are getting strong every year. Eight months ago, world champion Vladimir Kramnik of Russia and Deep Fritz, billed as the most powerful computer, drew their 8-game match, 4-4. Kramnik got $750,000 while Deep Fritz programmer Mathias Fiest received $250,000. A few months later, Gary Kasparov, who reigned as world champ for 12 years, battled Deep Junior, another powerful chess computer. Their match also ended in draw with each scoring a victory against.

4th round pairings: (First name to play white) Montel, Jr. vs. Manuel; Hernandez vs. Jimmy Valenzuela; Palomo vs. M. Ramos; Edgardo Enarsao vs. Miguel, Jr.; Genaro Manlaya vs. Lagumen; Agustin, Jr. vs. Ivan II; N. Villanueva vs. Manlaya; Lagumen vs. Ivan II; Manlaya vs. Agustin, Jr. and Tutii Joe Chilton vs. Manlaya.

The tournament is organized by TFCP Vice President and Sports Commissioner Sergio Alemania, assisted by Bong Torres and Cris Gonzales.

Solution to last week's puzzle:

1. Ng5+! Rxg5 2. Rf6+ Kxf6 3. Rd6 mate

This week's puzzles:

Source:

Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez

Tia Belau Newspaper

Page 13

Volume 12

June 13-20, 2003

(4) 8-YEAR-OLD SCORES 1st WIN (TBN-May 30-June 06, 2003) Manuel, Montel, Jr, Ramos Undefeated (TBN-June 6-13, 2003)

8-YEAR-OLD SCORES FIRST WIN

The 2003 Age Group Chess Tournament fired off last Sunday, May 25 with 18 young players competing on opening day. Eleven more will join the fray on Sunday, June 01, who will be playing 2 games each to catch up with the rest of the field.

Also last Sunday, winners of the just concluded 2003 Open Chess tournament were awarded trophies and certificates. Snacks and drinks were served courtesy of sponsor, The Filipino Community In Palau (TFCP) Sports Commissioner Sergio Alemania.

As only one contestant registered in the 13-19 years old category, there will now be a Class A, B and C championships instead.

In the 12 years and under, four kids entered with 8-year old Dmitri Kyle Villanueva notching his first win by beating newcomer Chris Domingo, while 11-year old Jayrome Soriano defeated I. B. Misech.

In the first round of classification, top seed Menandro Manuel beat Roberto Hernandez in 58 moves of Caro-Kann Defence. Kris Ramos upset Tutii Joe Chilton in 34 moves of Lasker Defence (Queen's Gambit Declined). Edgardo Enarsao defeated Ivan II Chess Computer of another Queen's Gambit Declined.

2003 AGE GROUP CHESS TOURNAMENT

May 25 – August 24, 2003

Sponsored by:

The Filipino Community in Palau (TFCP)

Cris Gonzales (Trophies)

ROUND  1  (Classification)                                               May 25, 2003

White: Menandro Manuel                         (Caro-Kann Defence)

Black: Roberto Hernandez

1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4 h6 7. Nf3 Nd7 8. h5 Bh7 9. Bd3 Bxd3 10. Qxd3 Qc7 11. Bd2 e6 12. 0-0-0 Ngf6 13. Ne4 0-0-0 14. g3 Ng4 15. Qe2 f5 16. Nc3 Bd6 17. Ne1 Rde8 18. f4 a6 19. Nd3 c5 20. dxc5 Nxc5 21. Nxc5 Bxc5 22. Rhf1 Re7 23. Rf3 Rd8 24. Na4 Kb8 25. Nxc5 Qxc5 26. a3 Rc7 27. Bb4 Rxd1+ 28. Qxd1 Qd5 29. Qxd5 exd5 30. Bd6 Kc8 31. Bxc7 Kxc7 32. Rc3+ Kd6 33. Rc8 Nf6 34. Rf8 Nxh5 35. Rxf5 Nxg3 36. Rf6 Nh5 37. Rxb7 Kc5 38. Kd2 d4 39. Rf7 g6 40. Kd3 a5 41. Ke4 Ng3+ 42. Ke5 h5 43. Rc7+ Kb6 44. Rg7 h4 45. Rxg6+ Kc5 46. Rg4 Kc4 47. Rxh4 d3 48. cxd3 Kb3 49. d4 Kxb2 50. d5 Nf1 51. d6 Kxa3 52. d7 Nd2 53. d8=Q Nc4+ 54. Kd4 Nb2 55. Qxa5+ 56. Rh3+ Kc2 57. Qc3+ Kb1 58. Rh2 Na4 59. Qe1#             1-0

White: Kris Ramos                                                           May 25, 2003

Black: Tutii Joe Chilton        (Queen’s Gambit Declined – Exchange Variation)

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. cxd5 exd5 5. Bg5 Be7 6. e3 0-0 7. Bd3 Nbd7 8. Qc2 Re8 9. Nf3 Nf8 10. 0-0 c6 11. Rab1 Bd6 12. Bxh7 N8xh7 13. a3 Bg4 14. h4 Bxf3 15. gxf3 Nxg5 16. hxg5 Nh7 17. f4 b6 18. Kg2 c5 19. Rh1 g6 20. Nxd5 cxd4 21. Rxh7 Kxh7 22. Nf6+ Kg7 23. Nxe8+ Qxe8 24. Re1 dxe3 25. Rxe3 Qh8 26. Rh3 Qb8 27. Qc3+ Be5 28. fxe5 Qb7+ 29. f3 Rc8 30. Qd4 Rc2+ 31. Kg1 Qc8 32. e6+ f6 33. Qxf6+ Kg8 Qh8#  1-0

With his win over Ivan II, which has a rating of 2000, or 350 points greater than his, Enarsao's rating will increase by 30 points.

Other results of 1st round matches: Mario Ramos d. Norbert Villanueva; Cyril Montel, Jr. d. Bong Alipoon; Jimmy Valenzuela d. Amante Caballero; Ben Ramos d. newcomer Genaro Manlaya and Montel, Jr. d. Valenzuela in a special 2nd round match.

Pairings drawn for the latecomers: Chito Vargas vs. Eugene Koh; Roy Rebollos vs. Mike Miguel, Jr.; Mariano Agustin, Jr. vs. Allen Kangichi; Geoffrey Moro vs. Jason Ibasco; Freddie Dumlao vs. Noel Filomeno and Jimboy de Jesus vs. latecomer 1. Winners in these pairings will face other winners in their 2nd games, while losers play against losers.

Second round pairings (First name to play white): Enarsao vs. Manuel; B. Ramos vs. M. Ramos; Ivan II vs. N. Villanueva; Alipoon vs. Caballero; Chilton vs. Manlaya and Hernandez vs. latecomer 2.

This tournament is 5-round Swiss system classification to determine the top 8 for Class A championships, which is a round-robin. Number 9-16 will have also a round-robin championships for Class B and those who will finish 17 and below will have their own championship for Class C which is supposed to be the 13-19 years category.

Ivan II Chess Computer will participate in all Classes. Its strenght level will be H or Hard for Class A, A or Average for Class B, and E or Easy for Class C and 12 years and under category.

Roberto Hernandez offers to lend his CDRom of Chessmaster 9000 to chess players who wish to improve their play by challenging the computer. The CD may be copied so that others can do the same.

Source:

Chess Mate

By Roberto Hernandez

Tia Belau Newspaper

Pages 13

Volume 12

May 30-June 06, 2003 

2003 Age Group Chess Tournament

(5-Round Swiss Classification)

MANUEL, MONTEL, JR., RAMOS UNDEFEATED

Top seed Menandro Manuel, Cyril Montel, Jr. and emerging contender Mario Ramos remained as the only undefeated players in the 2003 Age Group Chess Tournament sponsored by The Filipino Community in Palau (TFCP), under the supervision of its vice president and sports commissioner Sergio Alemania and his assistants, Buddy Torres and Cris Gonzales. 

Sergio Alemania

Cris Gonzales

Manuel beat Edgardo Enarsao in 49 moves of Sicilian Defence while Ramos defeated Ben Ramos with a Ruy Lopez (Open Defence).

In the 12 years and under category, top seed Dmitri Villanueva upset Ivan II Chess Computer to remain undefeated in 2 games.

Other results of 2nd round and special 3rd and 4th round: Amante Caballero d. Kris Ramos; Eugene Koh d. Jun Mahor; Ivan II d. Norbert Villanueva; Roberto Hernandez d. Caballero; Jimmy Valenzuela d. Enarsao; Manuel drew with Koh and Mr. Consistent Bong Alipoon defeated Koh, Caballero and Mahor to be the first qualifier in Class A category. 

ROUND 2                                                                      June 01, 2003

1. Jimmy Valenzuela vs. Cyril Montel, Jr. (0-1) (May 25, 2003)   2. Norbert Villanueva vs. Ivan II Chess Computer (0-1)  3. Ben Ramos vs. Mario Ramos (0-1)  4. Edgardo Enarsao vs. Menandro Manuel (0-1)  5. Amante Caballero vs. Bong Alipoon (0-1)

6. Eugene Koh (1^st rd.) vs. Jun Mahor (1^st rd) (1-0)  7. Bong Alipoon (3^rd) vs. Eugene Koh (1-0)  8. Amante Caballero (3^rd) vs. Kris Ramos (1-0)  9. Jimmy Valenzuela vs. Edgardo Enarsao (3^rd) (1-0)  10. Jun Mahor vs. Bong Alipoon (4^th) (0-1)  11. Eugene Koh (3^rd) vs. Menandro Manuel (3^rd) (Draw)

UNDER 12 YEARS CATEGORY

1. Dmitri Villanueva vs. Ivan II Chess Computer (1-0)  2. Chris Domingo vs. IB Misech (Draw)*

Class B champion Chito Vargas and 14-year old Arvie Leynes are going for vacation so they will miss this tourney. Noel Filomeno, Eddie Grefiel and Danny Dandoy are the other Class A players who are also on vacation.

This Sunday's pairings: Adult category (First name to play white) M. Ramos vs. Montel, Jr.; Mahor vs. N. Villanueva; K. Ramos vs. Ivan II; Tutii Joe Chilton vs. Genaro Manlaya; Roy Rebollos vs. newcomer Jon Lagumen; Jason Ibasco vs. Mike Miguel, Jr.; B. Ramos vs. Hernandez; Miguel, Jr. vs. Rebollos; Lagumen vs. Mariano Agustin, Jr.; Chilton vs. Ibasco and Agustin, Jr. vs. Ibasco.

UNDER 12 YEARS OLD
      Ricky 'Jun-jun' Camacho, left,  executes a move against junior champion Jayrome Soriano while the game between Rodnnie Dizon and Christopher Domingo is already in the endgame part.
                                                                                                (Photo by: Roberto Hernandez)

12 years and under category pairings: Jayrome Soriano vs. Dmitri Villanueva and Chris Domingo vs. I. B. Misech. Their games will be best of 3 to give them more tournament exposures and it will be a triple round-robin.

There will be no more Class C in the adult category if the participants are less than 21.

This week's featured opening is the longest so far of all by the book opening. It is Ruy Lopez (Zaitsev Defence). 1. e4 e5 2. Nf6 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. 0-0 Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 0-0 9. h3 Bb7 10. d4 Re8 11. Nbd2 Bf8 12. a4 h6 13. Bc2 exd4 14. cxd4 Nb4 15. Bb1 c5 16. d5 Nd7

Source: 

Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez  

Tia Belau Newspaper 

Page 13

Volume 12

 June 06-13, 2003

(3) Watch Out for Edgardo Enarsao (TBN-May 16-23, 2003) Age Group Chess Starts May 25 (TBN-May 23-30, 2003)

Determined Edgardo Enarsao captured the 2003 Age Group Chess Tournament Class A title.   Jose Omega bagged the Class B plum while 11-year old Jayrome Soriano became Palau first junior champion.

                WATCH OUT FOR EDGARDO ENARSAO

THEY CALL him "draw master" for drawing his matches against two former champions Eddie Grefiel and Philippine Consul General Julius Torres. He is the only player with a perfect attendance in the just concluded 2003 Open Chess Tournament held at Image Sports Bar. Even on the last day of the tournament wherein he doesn't have a scheduled game, he's still there to practice, to learn and socialize.

During practice games, nobody dominates him, even recent champion Menandro Manuel. He placed 13th in the 2002 Open Chess tourney by winning 17 games, losing 9 and drawing one.

And at the 2003 Open, he finished 7th. He is 46 years old and chew betel nut while playing... This week's featured player ... Edgardo Enarsao.

His favorite opening is the King's Gambit. With the absence of Grefiel and Torres, he is expected to give top seed Manuel, Cyril Montel, Jr, Roberto Hernandez, Bong Alipoon and Noel Filomeno a fight for the top four spots in this coming tournament which will start on May 23, 2003.

The awarding of trophies and certificates for the winners and participants of the 2003 Open Chess tournament will be held on May 25, 2003 before the opening games of the Age Group Chess tilt at the parking lot of TFCP office. Players, especially trophy winners, are requested to update their monthly dues for at least till December of this year.

Another kid will be joining the 12 years and under category. His name is Carl Baysa. He is only 7 years old and just learned the game recently. He will give it a try to compete in the tournament, whose themes this time are "A NEW OPENING EVERY GAME" and "BY THE BOOK".

All players will be provided a copy of more than 40 by the book openings. Before each game, a player and his opponent must agree of the opening that they will use. They will follow the moves from their copy of openings till the last by the book move. Only after then that they will go on their own. By using this system, players will know the name of every opening that they have used for the first time.

This week's featured opening is the Petrosian Variation of the Queen's Indian Defense popularized by the master of defense and former world champion Tigran Petrosian.  1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 b6 4. a3 Bb7 5. Nc3 d5 6. exd5 Nxd5 7. Qc2

Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
          Tia Belau Newspaper 
          Page 13
          Volume 12
          May 16-23, 2003

    AGE GROUP CHESS TILT STARTS MAY 25




SOME 30 YOUNG chess players have registered for the first age group chess tournament that will fire off this Sunday, May 25, 2003 at the parking lot of The Filipino Community In Palau (TFCP) office beside Palasia Hotel and Galaxy Video.

Before the age group games, there will be awarding of trophies and certificates for the recently concluded 2003 Open Chess tournament.

Those who will receive the awards are: Menandro Manuel, Class A Champion; Julius Torres, 1st runner-up; Eddie Grefiel, 2nd runner-up and Cyril Montel, Jr., 3rd runner-up.

Chito Vargas, Class B Champion; Amante Caballero, 1st runner-up; Tutii Joe Chilton, 2nd runner-up and Ben Ramos, 3rd runner-up.

All Class B winners will be getting their first ever trophy in a chess competition. In Class A, the champion is a first timer and has been to Palau for only 8 months. The 3rd runner-up will be getting his first ever chess trophy.

Jayrome Soriano, the 11-year old first born son of Romy and Tess Soriano is participating in the 12 years and under category. In the adult category, Jason Ibasco is the latest addition to the more than 20 contestants.

Registration is still going on. For more information, call Roberto Hernandez at 488-3694.




Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez  
           Tia Belau Newspaper
           Page 13
           Volume 12  
           May 23-30, 2003

(2) CHESS MATE FIRST ISSUE (TBN- Dec. 29, 2002-Jan. 04, 2003)

                           CHESS MATE
                                                      By Roberto Hernandez


THREE years ago, I was approached by Tutii Joe Chilton, the most active Palauan chess player today, to form a chess club.

Without hesitation, I agreed to donate my free time, chess books, use of my chess clock, and experience to develop chess in Palau.

The idea didn't materialize but in the middle of this year, TFCP (The Filipino Community In Palau) Vice President Sergio Alemania asked me if there were enough chess players in Palau to hold the first-ever chess tournament in Palau.

He assigned me to be the chairman of the tilt that drew 20 contestants including four women.

An All-Filipino tournament was held early this year, followed by an open competition on Sept. 15, 2002 in which Tutii Joe Chilton, who was the first contestant I invited to participate, acted as my co-chairman.

The tournament was participated in by 28 chess players including four Palauans and two Americans, the rest being Filipinos.

The youngest competitors were a 9- and an 11-year-old Palauans.

On January 12, 2003, another open chess tournament will be held which will be categorized into Class A and Class B championships after a 5-round classification games.

Anyone who wishes his or her chess savvy by testing one's skills in a real chess tournament is invited to participate.

I would like to start this column with two instructional chess quizzes. The solution to the quiz on the left is written upside down; to the one on the right will be revealed next week.

If you have questions about chess and the next open chess tournament, please call me at 488-3694. #

Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
             Tia Belau Newspaper
             Page 12
             Volume 12
             Issue 52
             December 29, 2002 - January 04, 2003 



I was given a free copy of Tia Belau newspaper since I started writing for them in Dec. 29, 2002.

But it will be given to me when I will submit my next report so I always buy it on Friday and I get my copy on Wednesday or Tuesday.

I was able to collect all 52 copies for the year 2003. When me and my wife rented a room in Topside in 2006, I put all those 52 copies of Tia Belau in an empty sack of rice and put it under the rented room's open space (on the ground with a plywood under it).

SOMEBODY THROW AWAY THAT WHOLE SACK WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM ME OR MY WIFE.

When I started to make a scrap book out of those old newspapers, I'm missing the whole year of 2003 with the exception of a few xerox copies that I posted in the bulletin board of Palau High School Gym. 

When I was allowed to check the publisher's copies (all originals), the whole year of 2003 is also missing!

One of the graphics designers of Tia Belau told me that I should have been the only person in the world to have that entire 2003 copies of Tia Belau had it's not thrown away by someone who doesn't care about history.

ANYWAY, I WAS ABLE TO PRODUCE A 2-HOUR VIDEO ENTITLED "CHESS IN PALAU 2002-2004" WHERE ALL THE FIRST 6 MAJOR CHESS TOURNAMENTS IN PALAU WERE DOCUMENTED THROUGH THAT VIDEO AND THROUGH TIA BELAU, PALAU'S FIRST NEWSPAPER.


Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
            Tia Belau Newspaper
            Page 12
            Volume 12
            Issue 52
            December 29, 2002 - January 04, 2003
    


       

(1) MARCOS WIFE AND DAUGHTER COMING TO PALAU (TBN-Nov. 21, 2011)

 TEAMMATES IN RUSSIA, ADVERSARIES IN PALAU.  Brian Jones, left, the Oceania Zone President, was a teammate of Joselito Marcos, right, in 2010 World Chess Olympiad in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia. With the possible inclusion of Mr. Jones to the invited players of the 3rd PIICC, the two will face each other on Dec. 19 at 9 am.

(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

MARCOS, WIFE AND DAUGHTER

COMING TO PALAU

 

THE SECOND invited player to confirm his participation in the 3rd Palau Invitational International Chess Championship is Joselito Marcos of Papua New Guinea. He is coming with his wife Margarita and daughter Jamie Kirstie.


They have confirmed their reservations with Continental Airlines and will leave Manila on December 13 and will spend Christmas in Philippines via direct flight from Koror to Manila. Their original and cheaper plan is to go back to Manila via Guam but US transit visa is required for his wife and daughter. He's got a US visa.


A letter of invitation was also sent to Mr. Brian Jones, the President of Oceania Zone, to replace Mohammad Manik Hossain, whose available time off for the PIICC is not enough for him to complete 13 games.


The invitation is also for Mr. Jones to be the Guest Speaker and be one of those who will give the prizes in the Awarding Ceremony.


Mr. Jones is willing to give a $500.00 travel subsidy expenses for players from Papua New Guinea and Australia provided that Palau has confirmed the payment of Oceania Chess Confederation (OCC) membership fee and has submitted its full details of Palau tournament (including evidence of FIDE rating).


After the withdrawal of Jamie Kenmure, Palau Rating Officer and Team Captain of Palau Men's Team to Russia in 2010 World Chess Olympiad, Mr. Jones is sure to find some players from Australia or Guam.


An email was sent to Jamie to pay for the AU$100.00 to OCC. He said he will pay it within 7-10 days and confirmed that the 2011 PIICC is listed in FIDE as rated. He is donating the AU$100.00 to Palau Chess Federation as support.


A very sad email was received by Roberto Hernandez from Raymond Lapitan, the father of chess prodigy Daniel Lapitan who will represent Australia in the World Youth Chess Championship in Brazil on Nov. 17-24, 2011.


It says "Hi Robert, Just want to let you know that a day before our flight to Brazil, Daniel's coach Doug William who is going with us, suffered a heart attack and was taken to a hospital where he is still there right now. He is under observation and need to undergo some tests. Doug is like a family member to us and Daniel is very close to him. Daniel said that Doug's health is more important that chess so he decided not to go and instead take care of Doug while he is in the hospital. Regards, Raymond.


A very few 11-year old boy can decide what Daniel has chosen to do. He sacrificed the golden opportunity to compete against the best junior players in the world for the sake of the health of his coach. Many will admire his compassion to people close to him and time will come, his action will be judged as mature than his age.


The participants name of the 3rd PIICC has been drawn and it is as follows: 1. Dennis Gonzales 2. Erwin Carag 3. Joselito Marcos 4. Brian Jones 5, Jeff Balbalosa 6. Roberto Hernandez 7. George Anzawa 8. Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. 9. Menandro Manuel 10. Almario Marlon Bernardino, Jr. 11. Alfredo Paez 12. Bernardo Garcia 13. Tito Cabunagan 14. Christopher Castellano.


The first rest day on Dec. 17 (Sat.) was moved to Dec. 16 (Fri.) so that the day of Saturday will be utilized to the fullest where many local players can play up to 3 games to make up for the other weekdays that they can't play at daytime.


Only Hernandez can play against the invited players in the 9:00 am playing schedule. Montel, Jr. and Anzawa can adjust on some morning games by request. Montel can play in the opening day and will attend the Opening Ceremony at 8:30 am at Conference Room of Palau Royal Resort.


Bernardo Garcia will attend also the opening ceremony but not sure if he can play a game that morning. He has solicited 2 complimentary Brunch for 2 at Palau Pacific Resort as additional prizes. Had it been specified in the solicitation letter, 2 one night stay complimentary vouchers at PPR should have been given.


Almario Marlon Bernardino, Jr., Erwin Carag and FIDE Master Christopher Castellano will confirm next week if they can compete. While waiting for their confirmation, Hernandez has meticulously worked on the pairings depending on the available time that the local players have submitted to him.


It's a challenging task and some players have to play from 9 pm to midnight just to complete 13 games within 9 days. There are instances that on the rest days (Dec. 16 and 21) all local players will have to play. Brian Jones is asked to play (white) vs. Tito Cabunagan on Dec. 21 at 6 pm.


If one or two of the invited players can't make it, Mr. Jones is requested to look for player(s)from Guam or Australia for replacements. If he can't find available player(s), local players will fill in the slot(s) like Jose Celiz, Gonzalo Escapatoria, Jr., Paquito 'Pax' Suringa, Jr., who is staying at PRR and always available.


Source:  Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
             Tia Belau Newspaper
             Vol. 20
             Issue 48
             Nov. 21, 2011