(103) TORRES AIMS FOR CHAMPIONSHIP

                                         TFCP OPEN CHESS TILT
            TORRES AIMS FOR CHAMPIONSHIP

PHILIPPINE Consul General Julius Torres, who leads the standings of TFCP Open Chess tournament with 18.5 points after the 19th and 20th rounds played last Sunday, November 17, will aim for the championship in the tournament participated in by Filipino and Palauan players after Eddie Grefiel, at 18 points, lost two of his games.

Torres defeated Jimboy de Jesus (17) and drew with against Cyril Montel, Jr. (15). His last two remaining games will be against Tutii Joe Chilton, a Palauan player, and 16-year old Kris Ramos.

Grefiel, Danny Dandoy (17.5), Jimboy de Jesus, Roberto Hernandez (16), Bong Alipoon (16.5), Mariano Agustin, Jr. (15.5), Jun Mahor (16.5) and Noel Filomeno (17) will compete for the runner-up and special prizes games.

During the first round for the open chess tournament, the Knights and Rooks Chess Club was formed and elected the following officers: Roberto Hernandez -- Chairman, Jimmy Valenzuela -- Vice Chairman and Danny Dandoy -- Secretary.

The other participants and their respective points are: Nilo de Jesus, Edgardo Enarsao and Eugene Koh -- (15.5), Jimmy Valenzuela --15, Richard Reyes --14, Mike Miguel, Jr. --11.5, Glen Navarosa --7.5, Amante Caballero and Roland Tangelbad -- 6.5, Eric Carlson and Mario Ramos --6, David Clumpner--2.5, Omkar Tangelbad --2; and Tommy Tutii and Ricky Cabarubias -- 1.

From the report of Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper  Page 16   December 01-07, 2002

(102) CHESSMATE MARKS 9TH YEAR

PENULTIMATE ROUND MATCH. The game of Jeff Balbalosa, right, vs. Bernard Garcia, left, is one of the turning point of 3^rd PIICC. The loss of Garcia enabled Paquito Suringa, Jr., 2^nd from right, to finish 5^th. Joselito Marcos, center, and joint winner of the event, poses together with Roberto Hernandez before the start of the game.

THE FIRST issue of Chessmate by Robert Hernandez was published in December 29, 2002 and since then the popularity of chess in Palau is on the rise. National Chess Championships were held since 2006 and three invitational international chess championships were held in 2006, 2007 and the recently concluded one from December 14-19, 2011.

The inaugural PIICC (Palau Invitational International Chess Championship) in 2006 enabled 6 local players to obtain international ratings—Menandro Manuel, Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr., Gene Pastrana, Jose Omega, Roberto Hernandez and Manny Nedic.

The 2007 PIICC was not rated due to late submission of tournament cross-table.

The recent one in 2011 is something different—all the participants are FIDE-rated and although only one invited player was able to make it, it was the best organized PIICC ever because of the financial, technical and moral support of Papua New Guinea’s top chess player Joselito Marcos, who came to Palau with his wife Margarita and last-born daughter Jamie Kirstie.

In 2009, Palau was able to send a representative to Oceania Zonal Chess Championship in Gold Coast, Australia through the support of former Oceania Zone President Gary Bekker, who shouldered Roberto Hernandez’ airfare and accommodation. Thus, Palau was represented for the first time in an Oceania Chess Championship, which is the first step to the World Cup of Chess. In there, Hernandez met Marcos and they became friends – the best of friends.

In 2010, another breakthrough in Palau’s chess happened when Hernandez found a sponsor for 5 players to participate in the 2010 World Chess Olympiad in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia. The captain of Palau Team, Jaime Kenmure of Australia, was chosen in gratitude of him being the Rating Officer of Palau Chess Federation. Every cross-table of FIDE-rated tournaments that was held in Palau was sent to Jamie including the 2011 Palau National Chess Championship where 21 active players are now listed in the FIDE rating list. In Russia, Hernandez and Marcos renewed their friendship and acquaintances.

Although the 2 local players who made it to Russia (Hernandez and Tito Cabunagan) were not allowed to play because they are short of one player, the experience of being there cannot be forgotten. Socializing with the world’s best chess players, free full accommodation for 16 days, excursions, watching the world’s best in person and lots of activities is really an unforgettable experience.

The focus of Palau’s chess team now is at the 2012 World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey. Six players in the men’s division and a possible 4-player team in the women’s division have already committed to join. First to join are Hernandez and Cabunagan, Manuel and Mohammad Manik Hossain. The team captain is still Jamie Kenmure. Hernandez is not sure if he can find sponsors again so those who committed must buy their own airfare from Palau-Manila and Manila-Istanbul.

Another good thing that happened to Palau chess is the coming to country of Anzawa family (Takao, his wife Adele and their son George). With George’s participation in the 2011 PNCC, he was able to get an international rating and also committed to be in the men’s team as reserve player. Adele would like to join the women’s team and if Hernandez’ wife Flor would also be interested to join, there might be a mother and son and 2 husband and wife team members as Menandro’s wife Elizabeth is also interested to join the team.

The 2010-2011 Palau National Chess Championship was won by Manuel while the 2011 PNCC produces 3 champions – Tito Cabunagan, Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. and Roberto Hernandez. The 3^rd PIICC has 2 champions—Joselito Marcos and Manuel and all the players except Cabunagan, lived up to expectations according to their rating. With the withdrawal of Dr. Alfredo Paez from Philippines, he was replaced in the last hour by Paquito Suringa, Jr., who won his last 2 games to finish 5^th and might be chosen as “Comeback Player of the Year”.

(Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Volume 21 Issue 1 January 02, 2012

(101) CHESSMATE MARKS 8TH YEAR

PALAU TEAM OF 2 IN RUSSIA
Tito Cabunagan (left) and Roberto Hernandez (right)
(Contributed photo of Brian Jones from Australasian Chess Magazine)


                      CHESSMATE MARKS 8TH YEAR

THE HIGHLIGHTS on the 8th year of Chessmate were the participation of Palau in the 2010 World Chess Olympiad in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia and the ongoing 2010-2011 Palau National Chess Championship.

Although they were not allowed to play due to shortness of a single player, Roberto Hernandez and Tito Cabunagan were able to make it to Russia. A minimum of 3 players is required for a team that started in 2008 World Chess Olympiad in Dresden, Germany.

The duo just became observers and tourists with free food and hotel accomodation in the twin Hotel Olympic. Their Australian team captain, Jamie Kenmure, was not allowed to play for Palau also as there is a process in changing federation.

Their Swedish Delegate, Jan Berglund, was not allowed also to play when he can't show proof that he's been to Palau at least once.

The Olympiad was held from Sept. 20 - Oct. 04, 2010 with 144 countries participating in the best -hosted Olympiad ever.

Since the first issue of ChessMate in Dec. 29, 2002, 17 major chess tournaments were held, 2 were invitational with foreign players from New Zealand, Australia and Philippines participated and enabled the top 6 players of Palau to gain international rankings.

Today, in Sept. 2010 FIDE ratings list, Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. and Menandro 'Boy' Manuel are in the top ten of Other Oceania Players with Cyril at no. 6 with 1942 and Boy at no. 9 with 1906.

Joselito Marcos is still the top in this division followed by Shaun Press, also of PNG.

The FIDE rated 2009 Palau National Chess Championship enabled Hernandez (1883) to dislodged Gene Pastrana as No. 3 chess player of Palau with an improvement of only 3
points and Pastrana dropping at 4th after losing 116 points because of his withdrawal more than halfway from the event.

Manuel 'Jun' Mahor got his international rating of 1662 followed by Romeo Caballes, Bernardo Garcia and Michael Mercado with identical 1629 rating.

Palau Royal Resort's Paquito 'Pax' Suringa, Jr. is in solo 9th place with 1602 followed by Craig Dittrich (1569) and Elpidio Manaligod with 1540.

In the resumption of play at PRR Dorm 1 on Sunday, Dec. 26, Jun Mahor is now 2-2 (win-loss) after subduing Jeffrey Negrillo in 35 moves of King's Pawn Opening. Jeff is still looking for the elusive first point.

He is now eager to face another Jeff on Sunday, Jan. 02 at 1:00 pm. Jeff Balbalosa, an employee of Surangel's, was accomodated to replace the slot of Jimboy de Jesus, who has withdrawn from the event 3 weeks ago. Jeff will play Ferdinard 'Bong' Gutierrez after his game with Negrillo.

The prospect of having 2 players from Palau to participate in the 2011 Oceania Zonal Chess Championship in Rotorua, New Zealand will be known on Sunday after the employer of Mohammad Manik Hossain come back from Hawaii.

If Manik will be allowed to go, he will replace Tito for the chance to play in his first international event participation. The Zonal will be held from Jan. 25-31, 2011. An airfare subsidy of $300.00 each is offered to both players.

Paul Spiller, the President of New Zealand Chess Federation, chatted with Hernandez on Dec. 31 about the latest development asking: "Hello, Roberto, are you able to confirm your trip to NZ yet or does it look as though that you will not be able to come. I need to confirm or cancell accomodation bookings very soon."

Hernandez replied: " I have just sent you an email 5 minutes ago." It reads as follows:

"Dear Paul and Brian, I wish you both and your family a prosperous and terrific new year 2011. Mohammad Manik Hossain, who will replace Tito, will know on Sunday, Jan. 02, if he will be allowed by his employer to go with me in Rotorua. I know his boss, Uchel Tmechtul. I played piano in the reception of his wedding at Airai View Hotel in 1995. I might talk to him to let Manik go. He gave me $20.00 tip last Dec. 3 after requesting 2 Filipino songs. He's with Palau President Johnson Toribiong and a Congressman that night at Breeze Bar of Palau Royal Resort. The other day (Dec. 29) was the 8th year that I've been writing "Chessmate" by Roberto Hernandez at Tia Belau Newspaper, Palau's first newspaper. I've been doing it for free but I was able to promote chess in Palau for 8 years. These last 4 years, they are not editing my writing. Whatever I write, they will publish it. Whatever picture I want to be published, they will publish it.

On Jan. 02, also, is my 55th birthday. There are games to be played in the resumption of 2010-2011 Palau National Chess Championship and I'll be happy to accomodate a late entree to play as many games as he can to catch up.

This PNCC is limited only to 15 players but 2 have withdrawn and now there is one late entree so we're 14 now. That's all for now and again, thank you so much for helping Palau chess move forward. Best wishes for the year 2011!!! Roberto

In the latest development, Manik played an official game against Jeff Balbalosa, the late participant at 1:00 pm instead of Jeff-Jeff match because Manik has to work at 3:00 pm.

In a show of defensive prowess and attacking style, Manik clobbered Balbalosa in 40 moves of Scandinavian Defence. He's now won 7 games and lost 5.

In his delight, he promise to buy one case of soda for all employees of PRR living in Dorm 1 if he will beat Palau's top player Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. in his last game.


Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper Volume 20 Issue 1 January 03, 2011

(100) CHESSMATE MARKS 7TH YEAR

RETIRED TOP AUSSIE GRANDMASTER
Grandmaster (GM) Ian Rogers, right, has been the top GM of Australia for a while. Due to illness, he retired before the 2009 Oceania Zonal Chess Championship. But he still shared his help and promotion of the game by analyzing the live games of the top 4 boards of the event, live on the internet. His retirement was somehow "offset" by the victory of David Smerdon to become the new and 4th GM of Australia. He is pictured here with Palau's lone representative Roberto Hernandez, Palau Royal Resort's musician and Tia Belau News chess columnist. (Photo by: Joselito Marcos)

     CHESSMATE MARKS 7TH YEAR
SINCE THE first issue of Chess Mate in December 29, 2002, 17 major chess tournament have been held, two were invitational with foreign players from New Zealand, Australia and the Philippines participated and enabled the top chess players of Palau gained international rankings.

The first chess tournament ever in Palau was held in June 09, 2002 with Eddie Grefiel, a civil engineer of Daewoo Corp. bagging the first of his 3 chess titles.

Philippine Consul General Julius Torres, who is now the Ambassador of the Philippines in one of the Middle East country, claimed his only title in the 2002 Open Chess tournament participated in by 28 chess players (4 Palauans, 2 Americans and 22 Filipinos), while reigning Palau's top player Menandro 'Boy' Manuel won the first of his 6 titles in his first ever participation: the 2003 Open Chess tourney.


He won the 2005 Regular Chess tilt, the 2005-2006 Rapid Chess tournament, became the 2nd Palau National Master by winning the 2006 National Chess championship with co-champion Manny Nedic, Palau's first NM.


He also shared the title with blitz chess expert Tony Villa in year-ending 2006 Rapid Chess Festival. He is also the top Palau performer in the inaugural Palau Invitational Chess Championship won by Hilton Bennett of New Zealand.


He also shared the title of the second PICC (now known as the Ambassador Marino Cup) with Boris Michael Diez, number 86th rated player of the Philippines.

Manuel is currently one of the leaders in the 2009 Palau National Chess Championship with 6 wins and a loss, third best only to Cyril Montel, Jr. with a perfect 7-0 start after trouncing Romeo Caballes in 2oves of Giocco Piano last Sunday, December 27 in the resumption of NCC.

Bernard Garcia is in 2nd place with an identical record with Boy. Montel, Jr. will try to win his first ever and elusive chess title in Palau. He's been runner-ups in many occasions. A win over Bernard and Menandro will clinch him the championship.

Paquito 'Pax' Suringa, Jr. suffered his second loss in two weeks by bowing to Caballes in a special game held on Tuesday at D. J. Cruz General Merchandise premises, the official tournament site, in the resumption of Palau NCC.

The Class A of 2003 Age Group Chess tourney was won by Edgardo Enarsao and Jose Omega won his first 2 Class B championships while Jayrome Soriano became the first Palau junior chmapion.


In the 2003 Senior and Junior Chess tournament, Roberto Hernandez got his first of 2 titles and Charles Aquino dominated the juniors for two consecutive tourneys before going back to Philippines.


The 2004 Non-Master Chess tourney was won by Jess Toldoya. He received $100.00 prize donated by Jose Omega.


The 2004 Open and 2004 Rapid Chess tilts gave Grefiel his 2nd and 3rd titles with Omega getting his 2nd Class B title.


The 2004 Open also produced the first ever Italian champion in a one-day blitz chess tournament held on August 01, with Andrea Buriani, an Italian tourist, emerging undefeated in speed chess.


Omega finally claimed his first Class A title by winning the 2005 Open. He was tied with Bong Alipoon and won a sudden-death match break the tie. When he won the rated division of the inaugural Ambassador Marino Cup, he also won a sudden-death match with Hernandez to claim the title and they split the $300.00 cash prize for 1st and 2nd place.


Vincent Vergara won the unrated division, Ken Pastrana won the junior plum and Hernandez' beautiful and younger looking wife Flor won the women's division. She is currently the recepient of 2008 Perfect Attendance award at Dragon Tei restaurant.


The 2007 Palau Royal Resort Rating Chess Tournament took place in the second month of Hernandez' tenure as musician at PRR. He topped the tournament followed by Dennis Lara and Jaime Guevarra. The two are now regular competitors of Palau Chess Federation's regular tournaments. The 2008 PRR Rapid Chess tourney was not finished because many players left the island.


Palau's first even participation in 2008 World Chess Olympiad, held every 2 years, almost came to reality. But because of world economic breakdown and a week late in submitting their application for Schengen visa, the last two players that got sponsorship for the trip to Dresden, Germany --Roberto Hernandez and Gene Pastrana, finally realized the main problem of getting to play outside Palau-- the isolated location.

Through the generosity of Oceania Zone President Gary Bekker, Hernandez became the first Palau player to participate in Oceania Zonal Chess Championship held in Australia (June 2009).

Hernandez also attended the Zonal Chess Meeting with FIDE General Secretary Ignatius Leong and other officials from New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Palau and Solomon Islands.

One of the highlights of that meeting is that the smallest nation (Palau)has more regular chess news, because of CHESS MATE.

C H E E R S ! ! ! I'm wishing everyone a prosperous New Year!


Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper Volume 19 Issue 01 January 04-10, 2010

(99) CHESSMATE MARKS 6TH YEAR

                      CHESSMATE MARKS 6TH YEAR

SINCE THE first issue of Chess Mate in December 29, 2002, sixteen (16) major chess tournament have been held, two were invitational with foreign players from New Zealand, Australia and Philippines participated and enabled the top chess players of Palau to gain international rankings.

The first tournament ever in Palau was held in June 09, 2002 with Eddie Grefiel, a civil engineer of Daewoo Corporation bagging the first of his 3 titles.

Philippine Consul General Julius Torres, who is now the Ambassador of the Philippines in one of the Middle East country, claimed his only title in the 2002 Open Chess tournament participated in by 28 chess players (4 Palauans, 2 Americans and 22 Filipinos), while reigning Palau's top player Menandro 'Boy' Manuel won the first of his 6 titles in his first ever participation: the 2003 Open Chess tourney.

He won the 2005 Regular Chess tilt, the 2005-2006 Rapid Chess tournament, became the 2nd Palau National Master by winning the 2006 National Chess championship with co-champion Manny Nedic, Palau's first NM.

He also shared the title with blitz chess expert Tony Villa in year-ending 2006 Rapid Chess Festival. He is also the top Palau performer in the inaugural Palau Invitational Chess Championship won by Hilton Bennett of New Zealand.

He also shared the title of the second PICC (now known as the Ambassador Marino Cup) with Boris Michael Diez, number 86th rated player of the Philippines. He is currently leading the ongoing National Chess Championship with just a single loss -- to Craig Dittrich, who also beaten and snapped Tony Villa's 7-game winning streak.

The Class A of 2003 Age Group Chess tourney was won by Edgardo Enarsao and Jose Omega won his first 2 Class B championships while Jayrome Soriano became the first Palau junior chmapion.

In the 2003 Senior and Junior Chess tournament, Roberto Hernandez got his first of 2 titles and Charles Aquino dominated the juniors for two consecutive tourneys before going back to Philippines.

The 2004 Non-Master Chess tourney was won by Jess Toldoya. He received $100.00 prize donated by Jose Omega.

The 2004 Open and 2004 Rapid Chess tilts gave Grefiel his 2nd and 3rd titles with Omega getting his 2nd Class B title.

The 2004 Open also produced the first ever Italian champion in a one-day blitz chess tournament held on August 01, with Andrea Buriani, an Italian tourist, emerging undefeated in speed chess.

Omega finally claimed his first Class A title by winning the 2005 Open. He was tied with Bong Alipoon and won a sudden-death match break the tie. When he won the rated division of the inaugural Ambassador Marino Cup, he also won a sudden-death match with Hernandez to claim the title and they split the $300.00 cash prize for 1st and 2nd place.

Vincent Vergara won the unrated division, Ken Pastrana won the junior plum and Hernandez' beautiful and younger looking wife Flor won the women's division. She is currently the recepient of 2008 Perfect Attendance award at Dragon Tei restaurant.

The 2007 Palau Royal Resort Rating Chess Tournament took place in the second month of Hernandez' tenure as musician at PRR. He topped the tournament followed by Dennis Lara and Jaime Guevarra. The two are now regular competitors of Palau Chess Federation's regular tournaments. The 2008 PRR Rapid Chess tourney was not finished because many players left the island.

Palau's first even participation in 2008 World Chess Olympiad, held every 2 years, almost came to reality. But because of world economic breakdown and a week late in submitting their application for Schengen visa, the last two players that got sponsorship for the trip to Dresden, Germany --Roberto Hernandez and Gene Pastrana, finally realized the main problem of getting to play outside Palau-- the isolated location.

Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper December 29, 2008 - January 04, 2009

(98) CHESSMATE MARKS 5 YEARS

                     CHESSMATE MARKS 5 YEARS

THE FIRST ISSUE of "Chessmate" by Roberto Hernandez in December 29, 2002 was the start of the growing of the sport of chess in Palau.

The first six tournaments held produced six different champions with different styles of play. Eddie Grefiel, a civil engineer of Daewoo Corp. and the first multi-winner, is a positional player while Consul General Julius Torres , the 2002 Open Champion, is an aggressive and humorous wood pusher.

Palau's number one Menandro 'Boy' Manuel won six titles in 4 years including the 2nd Palau Invitational Chess Championship (The Ambassador Marino Cup) held in September 15-21, 2007 where he was the co-champion with top seed Boris Michael Diez of the Philippines. His style of play is modern, positional and rarely makes mistakes.

Edgardo Enarsao, the 2003 Age Group Chess tourney Class A champion is a defensive specialist but his effective attacking style is pinpoint and brutal. He studied the game very seriously and had a perfect attendance in the 2003 Open chess tournament.

The year-ending 2003 Senior and Junior Open Chess tourney was Roberto Hernandez' first title in Palau. He studied his opponents' style of play that proved decisive in his game against Palau's no. 3 Cyril Montel, Jr., who has yet to win a title after being runner-ups in numerous occasions.

The 2004 Non-master Chess tournament produced another champion in Jess Toldoya, the "draw master", who maybe the finest defensive player ala Tigran Petrosian, the Soviet World Chess Champion in the late '60's.

Jose Omega, the 2005 Regular Chess champion, was twice Class B champion before winning the title over Bong Alipoon in a one-game play-off. He is also a serious student of the game and a very good chess puzzle solver. He was the innovator of Four Knights Defence's 13th move, that gives back the sacrificed piece to gain a decisive advantage. He won the rated division of the 1st Ambassador Marino Cup over Hernandez in another one-game play-off to keep the trophy but split the $300.00 cash prize with Hernandez.

Tony Villa's coming to Palau improved the blitz chess quality of games with his unselfish sharing of his knowledge in the art of speed chess. He won the Rapid Chess tournament in 2006-2007 with Manuel as co-champion and won all but one blitz chess competitions held after the regular games are over. He was trained by Philippines National Master Allan Saysot and currently leading the Rapid Chess tournament where only 6 games were played during the Christmas break.

Andres 'Aying' Mestizo played 2 games against Hernandez in Dormitory 1 of Palau Royal Resort in December 26, 2007. In their first game, Mestizo introduced a different approach to Dutch Defence 2. d5 and Hernandez spent 3 minutes in his very second move and later running out of time.

With Aying missing a mate in one, Hernandez seized the initiative and won a piece. With an overwhelming advantage of 4 points, Mestizo escaped with a draw by stalemate. Hernandez easily won the second match.

Next in Aying's line-up was Koror State Legal Counsel Craig Dittrich, who won the first game but lost the second one. And in the only 2 games of the game day Sunday, Dec. 30 at Jean's Boutique and Store, Dittrich mated Dennis Gonzales with only 10 seconds remaining in his clock and he's got 3 queens to get the job done!

It's a very rare occassion in chess, where a maximum of 9 queens can occur. Gonzales bounced back from defeat and avenged his loss to end the year in a winning note.

Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper January 4-10, 2008

(97) CHESSMATE MARKS 4TH YEAR; LAPUZ WINS BLITZ CHESS TILT

            CHESSMATE MARKS 4TH YEAR;
                LAPUZ WINS BLITZ TILT

THE END of 2006 marks the 4th year of this column.

Three major tournaments were held this year with the 2006 Palau Invitational Chess Championship being the highlight in the success in having Palau's top players to earn international ranking by playing FIDE rated players from New Zealand, Australia and Philippines.

This year also produced the first Palau National Master: Menandro 'Boy' Manuel and Manny Nedic, who earned their titles by topping the 2006 Palau National Chess Championship.

In the last tournament of the year, the 2006 Rapid Chess tourney, veteran-newcomer Tony Villa shared the title with Manuel, who won five titles since 2003.

He is the second multi-titled chess player in Palau. The first one was Eddie Grefiel with three, who left Palau for greener pasture.

The other chess champions with one title each are Consul General Julius Torres, Edgardo Enarsao, Roberto Hernandez, Jess Toldoya, Nedic, Villa and Jose Omega, who won 2 consecutive Class B Championship before winning his first one in the 2005 Open.

During the Christmas party of Knights and Rooks Chess Club held o Sundau, December 24 at Jean's Boutique and Store premises, newcomer Rey Lapuz topped the blitz chess festival for unrated players.

He hesitated to join in two previous tournaments as he is to be playing against Palau's best.

With lower rated players in the field, he showed his wares against fellow newcomers Emmie Buyacao and Andy Estargo.

He lost only one game, to Val Vidar, the first runner-up in the unrated division of Ambassador Marino Cup Rapid Chess tournament.

He clobbered Koror State Legal Counsel Craig Dittrich in their first game of this double round-robin event. That sets up the climactic championship match in their last game.

If Dittrich will win, they will share the cash and title. If Lapuz will win, he will win his first ever chess title.

It is meant to be as he outwitted Dittrich, who is also in time trouble as usual but had a great start with two straight victories.

FINAL STANDINGS OF THE PLAYERS & THEIR WIN-LOSS-DRAW SLATE:
1. Rey Lapuz (7-1-0) 2. Craig Dittrich (5-3-0) 3. Val Vidar (4-4-0) 4. Emmie Buyacao (2-6-0) 5. Andy Estargo (2-6-0)

Anselmo Idol paid his registration fee of $5.00 but his job responsibilities didn't allow him to play even a single game. His fee will be returned.

The rated division's blitz chess tourney didn't push through as there were not enough players. Edwin Eti and Tony Villa went to Philippines with Villa coming back on January 04.

Palau's best junior player Dmitri Villanueva also didn't make it in the unrated division's blitz tourney. His mother called Roberto Hernandez and informed him that Dmitri is willing to participate in the next tournament where the top players of Palau will be participating.

Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper December 29, 2006 - January 04, 2007

(96) WE'RE NOW 2 YEARS OLD

                         WE'RE NOW 2 YEARS OLD

HOW TIME flies! Chess Mate is now two years old without missing a single issue, not even when the author had a six-week vacation in the Philippines from May 29 to July 10, 2004.

A lot have been accomplished with the help of so many people and sponsors of the eight tournaments that have been held in Palau. Contributions of players' knowledge about the game and their participation produced a lot of quality games at par with other countries.

With Chess Mate on its third year, more recent developments around the chess world will be shared to its readers.

THE NEW AND UPDATED RATINGS FOR THE 2005 REGULAR CHESS TOURNAMENT TO BE HELD ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 16 ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. Eddie Grefiel (2091) 2. Roberto Hernandez (2034) 3. Ivan II Chess Computer (2032) 4. Menandro Manuel (1948) 5. Cyril Montel, Jr. (1940) 6. Jose Omega (1921) 7. Jimboy de Jesus (1889) 8. Jess Toldoya (1883) 9. Jimmy Valenzuela (1878) 10. Mike Miguel, Jr. (1843) 11. Bong Alipoon (1819) 12. Danny Dandoy (1793) 13. Lin de Guzman (1776) 14. Mario Ramos (1746) 15. Joel Azana (1697) 16. Morton Sawaichi (1654) 17. Dennis Gonzales (1647) 18. Gene Pastrana (1646) 19. Mariano Agustin, Jr. (1636) 20. Den Canaria (1599) 21. Wilson Milambiling (1599) 22. Gerry Sermeno (1583) 23. Pastor Fontanilla (1560) and Tutii Joe Chilton (1510).

De Jesus earned the most points (179) for his exemplary performance in the recently concluded 2oo4 Rapid Chess tournament held beside his residence. (Home-court advantage?)

Pastrana is second with 146 followed by Montel, Jr. (141) and Omega (140). Azana (111) and Most Improved Player Lin de Guzman completes the list of triple digit points earners while Agustin, Jr. was the only one who lost rating points due to his struggling performance in the 2004 Rapid Chess tournament.

AND SPEAKING OF RAPID CHESS, ROBERTO HERNANDEZ WOULD LIKE TO SHARE A NEWSPAPER CLIPPING THAT HE COLLECTED WHILE HE WAS WORKING IN THE MIDDLE EAST (BAHRAIN) AS MUSICIAN IN KHAYAM TAVERNA (GREEK RESTAURANT) WITH PARTNER ANTONIS SERGIO, A CYPRIOT BOUZUKI PLAYER.

The Khaleej Times December 13, 1988 issue reported the first World Rapid Chess Championship, then referred to as "Active", as follows:

KARPOV HAS AN EASY FIRST ROUND VICTORY
Dmazatlan (Mexico) -- Some of the globe's top chess players battled against each other and the clock on Sunday at the opening of the first World Active Chess Championship.

Former world champion Anatoly Karpov of the Soviet Union won his first round match well within the time limit but others took their games to the wire in the $150,000 tournament of rapid chess.

While Karpov appeared to have little difficulty with fellow Soviet Nana Ioseliani, other players found their pieces literally flying off the board as they as they attempted to finish their matches within the 60-minute time limit.

Walter Browne of the United States frantically made his final moves against cool 14-year old Hungarian Zsofia Polgar before the two agreed to a first round draw.

Active chess is an attempt to make the sport palatable for a mass television audience.

"In general it's less beautiful but it's much more exciting, even for the players," said Horst Metzing, general secretary of the West German Chess Federation.

Unlike traditional chess where single matches can last over six hours, active chess matches must be finished within an hour with each player having 30 minutes to make his moves.

The active form is an effort by chess players and promoters to gain a larger audience and television coverage for a sport traditionally limited to a hard core following of afficionados.

With increased popularity, there will be more money for national and international chess federations as well as for players, tourney organizers said.

"If television is interested, the sponsors are interested," Metzing said.

The Active Chess Championship, being played through Saturday in Mazatlan on Mexico's Pacific coast, is being televised to the United States and Europe by a Mexican television network.

And finally, in the 1998 World Under 14 Rapid Chess Championship, Mark Paragua captured the title and is now the Philippines number one rated player with an ELO rating of 2534, ahead of Grandmaster Rogelio Antonio, Jr. and Asia's first Grandmaster Eugene Torre.

Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper December 31, 2004 - January 07, 2005

(95) CM53 JIMBOY UPSETS DEFENDING CHAMP (TBN-Nov.26-Dec.3,2004)

WHERE ARE THE TROPHIES?

It's been more than a month since the awarding of the 2004 Open sponsored by Nestor Canaria (left) but still no trophies were awarded to the Class A winners (from right) -- Roberto Hernandez (1st runner-up), Eddie Grefiel (champion) and Jimmy Valenzuela (2nd runner-up). Another 3 trophies were to be given to Class B champion Jose Omega, 1st runner-up Mariano Agustin, Jr. and Den Canaria (host's son). Only certificates and cash prizes for Class A were given.

(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

AFTER missing 4 tournaments in a row, Jimboy de Jesus made his presence felt in the 9th and 10th round of the 2004 Rapid Chess tournament held on Sunday, November 21 at Parish Center for Migrants and sponsored by TFCP, M. B. Dalton and Kabayan Restaurant.

De Jesus, 2nd runner-up in the 2002 Open, survived a relentless attack by 2-time champion Eddie Grefiel (8-2-0), who gave up two minor pieces but couldn't sustain the attack and when de Jesus forced the simplification, Grefiel suffered his 2nd loss of the tilt. The two now has a career win-loss-draw record of 1-1-1.

De Jesus climbed from 13th spot to 7th after defeating lone Palauan bet Morton Sawaichi (3-9-0) and halving the point with Lin de Guzman (5-4-1) in which he had only a king against de Guzman's king and queen.

He was stalemated and escaped with half point for a 4-2-1 card. He suffered his 2nd loss to new leader Cyril Montel, Jr., who also defeated de Guzman for an 8-2-2 slate to overtake idle Jose Omega (8-1-0), who was absent for 2 consecutive weeks due to job requirement.

He is now in 2nd spot followed by Grefiel and absent Menandro Manuel (7-4-0). De Guzman is now leading the 4-man candidate for Most Improved Player (MIP) as he upset Bong Alipoon (4-6-0) and jumped from 6th to 8th place.

Two newcomers were added to the roster of participants, taking the places of Danny Dandoy and Mario Ramos, who have not showed up to play.

Wilson Milambiling and Pastor Fontanilla, both working at Palau Pacific Resort, played against the available players with Milambiling winning over Dennis Gonzales and Mariano Agustin, Jr. but lost to Alipoon when he blundered away his queen for a knight.

Fontanilla, however, lost both of his games to de Guzman and Agustin, Jr.

Third seed Roberto Hernandez (6-3-0) trounced Jimmy Valenzuela in 23 moves of Modern Defence.

Hernandez sacrificed a bishop for 2 pawns to expose Valenzuela's king to the attack of Hernandez' queen, knight and bishop. When Valenzuela failed to anticipate a mate in two, he resigned instead of getting mated.

After the completion of regular games, Valenzuela and Grefiel practiced semi-blitz games. Alipoon and Hernandez followed suit until 11:00 pm.

Alipoon had 11 wins, 6 losses and 3 draws. He displayed remarkable skills in bltiz although in tournament play he seems to struggle and is out of contention now.

Solution to last week's puzzle: 1. ... Nd3++ (double check) 2. Kd1 Qe1+! Nxe1 Nf2 mate. This is called the smothered mate that usually occurs on both ends of the board. It is embarassing to lose in this kind of mate so it is better to resign than to continue as what happened to Judit Polgar in her controversial match against Gary Kasparov in 1994 in Linares, Spain.

Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
November 26- December 03, 2004

(94) CM52 TOP 4 SCRAMBLE (TBN-Nov.19-26, 2004)

CHESS AFTER DARK
     Six players are still busy at 7:00 pm when it was already dark at the ground of Parish Center for Migrants in the 8th round of the tourney. Jimmy Valenzuela, left, vs. Joel Azana; Jimboy de Jesus, 2nd from left, vs. Bong Alipoon and Menandro Manuel vs. Eddie Grefiel.                                                    (Photo by: Roberto Hernandez)

FOUR players fought it out for the lead in lthe 8th round of the 2004 Rapid Chess tournament held Sunday, Nov. 14 at Parish Center for Migrants and sponsored by TFCP, M. B. Dalton and K. Cuenco of Kabayan Restaurant.

Idle Jose Omega kept the lead win an 8-1-0 win-loss-draw record but Cyril Montel, Jr. (6-2-2) and defending champion Eddie Grefiel (6-1-0) made moves to challenge the leader.

Montel, Jr. scored 2.5 points in 5 games by defeating newcomer Gene Pastrana (3-7-0) and former champ Roberto Hernandez in 55 moves of a Bird's Opening.

He lost to another former champ Menandro Manuel (7-4-0) and Bong Alipoon (3-6-0). He drew his first game of the day with Dennis Gonzales (2-4-1) where he leads by 4 points but couldn't get a whole point because he had a king, a bishop and a pawn against Gonzales' lone king.

It clearly became a draw when Montel, Jr. didn't anticipate that his bishop was in the other color where his pawn will be promoted to a queen.

Grefiel is on a 4-win streak after losing to Montel, Jr. on the opening day by trouncing Manuel and Hernandez in 31 moves of Modern Defence.

Hernandez missed a stronger 23rd move that could have cramped Grefiel's position. Manuel defeated Montel, Jr. and both now share second place.

In the first game of the day, lone Palauan bet Morton Sawaichi (3-8-0) toppled Gonzales and scored a win after a string of losses.

In the shortest game of the tournament, Gonzales mated Pastrana in just 9 moves when the latter missed a pawn move that would have prolonged the game.

Pastrana upset Alipoon to end a 5-game losing streak. He lost again to Joel Azana (4-6-0), a candidate for Most Improved Player (MIP) award that will be given courtesy of the chairman who is donating a trophy.

In the last game of the day, Azana lost to Ivan II Chess Computer when he failed to force a draw by stalemate.

The other candidates for MIP are Sawaichi, Gonzales and idle Lin de Guzman (3-2-0).

In the 18 years and below category, only 1 player showed up (Chris Domingo) and he played a best-of-three seried against Ivan II Chess Computer.

He opted to use the Dragon Variation of the Sicilian Defence and lost. In the second game, he tried the Four Knights Defence with the black pieces and also lost when he couldn't find the right continuation in the sequence of move 18.

He still leads the division with a 2-2-0 slate.





Solution to last week's puzzle: The first puzzle's solution is 1. ... Qh4+ g3 2. Qxg3+!! 3. hxg3 Bxg3 mate.

The second puzzle solution is 1. ... Qf2+!! 2. Kxf2 Rd1 discovered check 3. Be3 Bxe3 mate.

Source:

Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez

Tia Belau Newspaper

November 19-26, 2004

 

(93) CM51 OMEGA LOSES, KEEPS LEAD (TBN-Nov.12-19, 2004)

(92) CM50 OMEGA ON A ROLL (TBN-Nov.5-12, 2004)

FIRST TITLE?     12-year-old Christopher Domingo, leader of the ongoing 2004 Rapid Chess tournament with a win over former champion Jayrome Soriano, won three trophies in three tournaments but never a title. In the background are Mariano Agustin, Jr. vs. Mike Miguel, Jr. and Mario Ramos vs. Ben Ramos

(91) Diario Belau (GREFIEL PLAYS CHESS MASTER IN 5 ROUNDS)

AMAZING!  woman chess player Angie Parrado about to move to checkmate Lemuel Bacor.

GREFIEL PLAYS CHESS MASTER IN 5 ROUNDS

EDDIE Grefiel, working for DAEWOO, played like famous chess masters Kasparov, Karpov or Eugene Torre, topping 19 other chess enthusiasts on the ongoing All-Filipino Chess tournament at Mindzenty High School Auditorium.

Chess Committe Chairman Mr. Roberto Hernandez with his committe members oversee the mind-battling tournament every Sunday.

"Maganda itong laro na ito, kahit na we don't go base on the book, at least nahahasa itong mga kababayan nating marunong mag-chess," said Chairman Hernandez. (This is a good game, even though we don't go based on the book, at least our countrymen who know how to play chess can hone their skills.)  

Here is the standings after 5 rounds: (Names, win-loss-draw, total)

1. Eddie Grefiel  4-0-0 (4 pts.)  2. Eugene Koh 4-1-0 (4 pts.)  3. Jimmy Valenzuela 4-1-0 (4 pts.)  4. Mike Miguel, Jr.  3-2-0 (3pts.)  5. Remy Mingo 3-2-0 (3 pts.)  6. Angie Parrado 3-2-0 (3 pts.)  7. Mario Ramos 3-3-0 (3 pts.)  8. Julius Torres 3-3-0 (3 pts.)  9. Ben Ramos 3-2-0 (3 pts.)
10. Bong Alipoon 2-2-0 (2 pts.)  11. Glen Navarosa 2-2-0 (2 pts.)  12. Vincent Vergara 2-2-0 (2 pts.)  13. Karen Hernandez 2-3-0 (2 pts.)  14. Geoffrey Moro 2-1-0 (2 pts.)   15. Roberto Hernandez 2-3-0 (2 pts.)  16. Noel Filomeno 2-3-0 (2 pts.)   17. Jimboy de Jesus 1-4-0 (1 pt.)  18. Amante Caballero 1-3-0 (1 pt.)  19. Lemuel Bacor 1-3-0 (1 pt.) 20. Michelle Ramos 0-4-0 (0 pt.)

Source: Diario Belau    Volume 1   No. 3   July 18- August 01, 2002

(90) 2010-2011 PNCC STARTS NOV. 14 (TBN-Oct.25-31, 2010)

GENEROUS LITO MARCOS
Papua New Guinea's top chess player Joselito "Tolitz"Marcos, left, offered some cash amount as prize to the 2010-2011 Palau National Chess Championship to start on Nov. 14. He met Roberto Hernandez, right, in the 2009 Oceania Zonal Chess Championship in Australia and renewed their friendship in the 2010 World Chess Olympiad in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia. Tolitz unselfish attitude is rarely seen nowadays in this materialistic world. Keep it up, Mapkoc. (Photo by: Tito Cabunagan)



2010-2011 PALAU NATIONAL CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP STARTS NOV. 14

AFTER a month of rest from 2010 World Chess Olympiad in Russia, the next tournament in Palau will fire off on November 14 and will conclude on Feb. 13, 2011.

THE FOLLOWING IS THE TOURNAMENT FORMAT:

1. It will be a single round-robin event limited to 15 players only on a first-come, first-serve basis.

2. The time control is 90 minutes to make 40 moves and 30 minutes more to finish the game with 30 seconds increment starting from first move.

3. Interested players will be given an entry form to be filled up.

4. Registration fee is $10.00. It must be paid 7 days before the start of the tournament. A receipt will be issued upon payment.

5. The 3 venues for the event are:
a. Beken's Store and General Merchandise (across Sacred Heart Church)
b. Migrant Center for Workers (beside Sacred Heart Church)
c. Palau Royal Resort Dormitory 1

6. This will be a World Chess Federation (FIDE) rated event. The 8 players who already got FIDE ratings are 1. Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. (1942) 2. Menandro Manuel (1906) 3. Roberto Hernandez (1833) 4. Eugenio Pastrana (1754) 5. Manuel 'Jun' Mahor (1662) 6. Romeo Caballes (1629) 7. Bernardo Garcia (1629) and 8. Elpidio Manaligod (1540).

7. This will be the chance for other unrated players to gain international rankings. They must finish at least 9 games and must have played 4 rated players in those 9 games.

8. The FIDE Laws of Chess will be displayed at all tournament sites for referral in case of a protest or dispute.

9. An unofficial arbiter will be assigned as follows:
a. Gene Pastrana at Beken's Store and General Merchandise.
b. Tito Cabunagan or Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. at Migrant Center for Workers.
c. Roberto Hernandez at Palau Royal Resort Dormitory 1.
If they are playing while a protest is made, their clock will be stopped and will only be restarted after the dispute is settled.

10. Score sheet will be provided and players are required to write chess notations in Algebraic form.

11. Six trohpies will be provided again by Mr. Bhoey Gopez. He promised to be present in the awarding ceremony this time.

12. The prizes (unconfirmed yet) are as follows:
CHAMPION - Trophy + 1 night stay at Palasia Hotel with free breakfast
for two.
2nd PLACE - Trophy + Dinner for 2 at Palau Royal Resort
3rd PLACE - Trophy + $25.00 cash
4th PLACE - Trophy + $15.00 cash
5th PLACE - Trophy + $10.00 cash
6th PLACE - Trophy
The excess cash collected from the registration fee will be added to last year's fund to buy a laptop for Palau Chess Federation or to pay yearly due to FIDE (480 euros).

13. The cash prize might be increased because of the offer of Mr. Joselito Marcos of Papua New Guinea to donate some cash for the prize.

Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper Volume 19 Issue 43 October 25-31, 2010

(89) PROFILE OF A CHAMPION (TBN-Feb.1-6, 2010)

                                                   CYRIL TOMAS MONTEL, JR.

                  PROFILE OF A CHAMPION

DURING THE first ever chess tournament in Palau in June 09, 2002, Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. is just an expectator. When he thought that he is ready for serious chess competition, he is the first one to register in the

1.) 2002 Open Chess tournament held at Mindzenty Auditorium from Sept. 15- Dec. 01, and finished in 10th place out of 28 participants with a win-loss-draw record of 17-7-3.

Since then, he never missed a major chess tournament and never been a champion except in the currently concluded 2009 Palau National Chess Championship.

Here are the other results of all the events that he participated:

2.) 3rd runner-up in the 2003 Open with a 9-4-2 record in Class A held from January 12-April 27, 2003 at Image Restaurant and Sports Bar.

3.) 1st runner-up in the Class A of 2003 Age Group Chess tournament held from May 25-August 24 with a 6-3-0 slate held at The Filipino Community in Palau (TFCP) office beside Palasia Hotel.

4. Tied with Jun Mahor, Bong Alipoon, Ivan II Chess Computer and Jimmy Valenzuela at 2nd runner-up in the 2003 Seniors and Juniors chess tournament held at C & N Refrigeration & Air Con Shop from Sept. 21- Dec. 14 with an identical record of 7-4-2. His approximate rating now is 1740.

5.) Tied with Roberto Hernandez at 6th-7th spot in the 2004 Non-master chess tourney with 8-6-0 card held from Jan. 11- April 11, 2004. He committed an illegal move against eventual champ Jess Toldoya. His rating now is 1782.

6.) His 2nd worst finish in a tournament was in the 2004 Open where he scored only 2 wins, lost 5 and drew one game to finish 8th among 9 contestants in Class A held from July 11-Oct. 03, 2004 at Filco Thrift Mart in Malakal. His rating of 1804 dropped to 1799.

7.) With big improvement, he tied Menandro Manuel and Jose Omega at 4th-6th spot in the 2004 Rapid Chess tournament held from Oct. 24 - Dec. 19 at Parish Center for Migrants with 11-4-2 card. His rating soars to 1940. He tied Hernandez at 3rd in blitz chess at Image Restaurant during the Christmas party of Knights and Rooks Chess Club (Palau). Eddie Grefiel and Manuel are co-champions of that event.

8.) Tied with Omega and Alipoon at 3rd - 5th in the 2005 Regular Chess tourney held from Jan. 16- April 17, 2005 at Privilege Store premises with 15-3-3 slate. He gained 104 rating points and now 4th seed at 2044. Finished 4th in blitz chess tilt (4-7-1) held on April 24, 2005 behind Hernandez, Alipoon and Valenzuela.

9.) Almost became the champion of 2005 Open when he missed a winning move in his adjourned game with Omega. He finished 3rd instead with a 12-3-0 record of the tilt held from May 22 - Sept. 25, 2005. His rating now is 2101. He was 7-5-0 and 3rd in the Mid-Year Blitz Chess Festival won by Hernandez (10-2-0) followed by Manuel at 8-2-2 on July 10. On July 24, he was 6th and 4th on Aug. 07 won both by Manuel. He was 5th place in the Aug. 14 blitz chess tourney won by Manny Nedic and Manuel. He won his first blitz chess title on Sept. 04, 2005 with co-champion Manuel at both 5-1-0 card.

10.) He was tied at 4th - 5th with Alipoon in the 2005-2006 Rapid Chess tournament held for the first time at Jean's Boutique and Store from Oct. 23, 2005- Feb. 12, 2006 with 39-11-6 slate and was 3rd in the Christmas Blitz Chess Festival held on Dec. 18, 2005 with 5-2-2 record. Hernandez topped the event with 8-1-0 followed by Edwin Eti at 7-1-1. Cyril struggled again in Jan. 29, 2006 blitz chess tourney with a 3-4-0 record, good only 6th place. Nedic won it with 6-1-0 card. They are tied at 3rd and 4th in the one-day blitz chess tilt in Feb. 19, 2006 at both record 4-3-0. Hernandez and Eti shared top prize at 6-1-0 identical card.

11.) At the 2006 Palau National Chess Championship, he could have been Palau's first National Master if the tourney stick to its single round-robin format held from March 19-August 06. He's leading the field of 12 players when the organizers decided to have a double round-robin instead and he finished with 15-3-4 record behind co-champion Nedic and Manuel at 17-3-2 and 18-4-0 respectively. He was 4th in the pre-championship blitz chess tourney in March 05 at 2-5-1. Gene Pastrana won his first and only blitz chess title with co-champion Hernandez at 5-1-2 and 6-2-0 slate respectively. He struggled again in March 19 and placed 6th at 3-4-0. Nedic and Eti are co-champs at 5-2-0 and 4-1-2 respectively. He was 4th again twice in March 26 (3-3-0) and April 02 (3-5-0) which was won by Manuel (6-0-0) and Hernandez (5-1-2). He improved at 3rd place in April 16 at 4-4-0 won by Manuel (7-1-0). Cyril finished 4th twice again in the next blitz chess tilt held in April 23 and 30 at 3-3-0 and 5-7-0 respectively. Eti won both events.
Cyril tied Hernandez at 2nd and 3rd place in May 07 blitz chess contest at both 5-3-0 record and won by Manuel.
In the Invitational Blitz Chess tournament participated in by Honorary Lifetime FIDE President Florencio Campomanes in May 14, 2006, Cyril is tied at 6th - 7th spot with Pastrana at both 2-5-0 slate. Campomanes won it undefeated at 6-0-1. Nedic was the only one to draw with Campo.
Cyril was 4th again (3-6-1) in May 21 with Manuel winning unbeaten (10-0-0). Finally, Cyril won his 2nd blitz chess title in May 28 with 7-3-0 slate. Eti and Hernandez were 2nd and 3rd at 5-3-2 identical record.

12.) At the 2006 Ambassador Marino Cup Rapid Chess tournament, he finished 4th again in the rated division at Philippine Embassy office. He finished with a 7-3-0 record and received $50.00 cash prize. Omega and Hernandez split the $300.00 1st and 2nd prize. Omega prevailed in one game playoff to get the nicely crafted glass trophy.

13.) And in the 2006 Palau Invitational Chess Championship held at Palau Royal Resort and Palasia Hotel in Aug. 31- Sept. 04, he scored 3.5 points from 1-3-5 record and finished in 7th place. His lone win was against (5th) Gary Bekker , the Oceania Zone President from Australia. He drew with eventual champion Hilton Bennett of New Zealand and his compatriot (3rd) Paul Spiller, (6th) Pastrana, (8th) Omega and (9th) Nedic. He lost to (4th) Manuel, (10th) Hernandez and USA and Philippine Chess Master Almario Marlon Bernardino, the top seed but finished only 2nd.

14.) Cyril was 7th again in 2006 Rapid Chess tournament held from Oct. 01-Dec. 17 with 9-8-3 card and won $20.00. Tony Villa and Manuel shared the title at 13-3-4 and 14-4-2 slate respectively and split the $175.00 cash prize. In Nov. 12 blitz chess contest, he was 5th at 3-5-4. Villa, blitz chess specialist, started his domination in speed chess. He won 4 of last 6 blitz chess contest. Cyril is 7th in Nov. 19 and 4th in Nov. 26. And in the last blitz chess contest held for 2006 in Dec. 10, Cyril was 6th at 4-8-0.

15.) At the 2007 Rated and Unrated Chess tournament held from Jan. 28-May 05, Cyril was 7th again at 2-3-4 with Hernandez, Nedic and Villa sharing the title with 7 points each.

16.) In his worst performance in 5 years, Cyril was in the cellar of 2nd Ambassador Marino Cup Invitational Chess tournament held from Sept. 15-21, 2007 with 1-6-2 dismal record. Boris Michael Diez (FIDE rating 2180) and Manuel topped the event with identical 6-1-2 record followed by Nedic (5-3-1) and Boris' father Allan (5-3-1), Villa (4-3-2), Omega (3-4-2), Hernandez (3-5-1), Pastrana (0-3-6) and Craig Dittrich (1-5-3).

17.) In the 2007-2008 Open Rapid Chess tilt, he was 3rd with 21-5-4. Villa and Nedic share the title with an identical 23-4-3 card.

18.) Finally, in the unfinished 2008 National Chess Championship, he had 5-3-1 slate. Villa (14-2-1), Omega (12-3-0), Dittrich (9-6-2), Nedic (10-3-0), Hernandez (9-4-1), Jimboy de Jesus (7-6-1), Manuel (6-1-1), Dennis Lara (5-4-2), Jaime Guevarra (3-5-2), Elpidio Manaligod (3-5-1), Paquito Suringa, Jr. (3-7-0), Andres Mestizo II (2-9-2), Michael Mercado (2-6-2), Mohammad Manik Hossain (2-12-1), Eric Espartero (2-2-0), Patrana (2-3-0), Geary Ken Pastrana (0-2-2), Arnel Pama (0-9-0).


Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper Volume 19 Issue 04 February 01-06, 2010