(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