2002 All-Filipino Chess champion Eddie Grefiel receives his 2003 Open 2nd runner-up trophy from Chairman Roberto Hernandez. He became the first 2-time champion by winning the 2004 Open with a win over Joel Azana, left, who also lost to Cyril Montel, Jr., right, in their final round match. (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)
THE PENULTIMATE round of the 2004 Open Chess tournament produce many 'firsts' as it will have a 2-time champion for the first time in 7 tournaments.
Eddie Grefiel, a civil engineer of Daewoo Corp. and the 2002 All- Filipino champ, defeated newcomer and co-employee Joel Azana in the 8th round to virtually clinch the title.
Grefiel lost to Roberto Hernandez in 49 moves of Bird's Opening in his final game of Class A.
It was the first win of Hernandez over Grefiel, who beat him in the 2002 and 2003 Open.
On the 22nd move, Hernandez sacrificed a rook for a pawn but threatened mate in the process.
Grefiel, who finished the tourney with a 6-1-1 win-loss-draw record, gave up his queen for a rook and still carried on until he regained the queen but was down by a rook and 4 pawns.
In the endgame, his bishop and king couldn't do anything against Hernandez' 3 bishops and 3 pawns.
The final round on Sunday will determine the 1st and 2nd runner-up being contested by Hernandez, (5-2-0), defending champion Jess Toldoya (2-1-3) and Jimmy Valenzuela (4-2-2).
Toldoya requested to play against Ivan II Chess Computer on Saturday and will play Hernandez on Sunday.
It will be the 2nd time in a row that Hernandez and Toldoya will meet in the final day that will affect the outcome of at least 3 players' final standings.
In Class B division, Ivan II Chess Computer suffered its first defeat from Jose Omega, who also won over newcomer Den Canaria and avenged his lost to Morton Sawaichi 2 weeks ago with a convincing win.
Mariano Agustin, Jr. lost for the 2nd time to Ivan II but nipped the 28-year-old Math teacher Jerry Sermeno and is still tied for the lead with Ivan II with 7 points apiece.
Omega is just a point shy off the leaders and can tie Agustin, Jr. if they will both win their remaining matches against absent newcomer Dennis Gonzales. If they end up with the same score, they will play on game to determine the Class B champion of the 2004 Open sponsored by Nestor Canaria and held every Sunday at Filco Thrift Mart in Malakal.
Agustin, Jr. is aiming for a first chess title while Omega won the Class B title of the 2003 Age Group chess tilt.
OTHER RESULTS OF CLASS A DIVISION:
Cyril Montel, Jr. (2-5-1) scored 2.5 points in his last 3 games after losing the first 5. He won over Azana (1-6-1) and Bong Alipoon (1-4-1).
Menandro Manuel (3-3-1) drew with Toldoya in the last game of the day.
Manuel (4-1) became the first 2-tim winner of speed (blitz) chess contest participated in by Grefiel (3-2), Azana (2-3), Hernandez (2-3), Valenzuela (3-2) and Alipoon (1-4).
Manuel keeps the half of the registration fee of $5.00 and the other half was spent on drinks of other participants.
Carlos 'Hiros' Salii, a senatorial candidate, expressed his willingness to sponsor a chess event when he had a talk with Hernandez last week at Palau International Airport.
Final details will be discussed when he returns next month. He will be the first male Palauan to sponsor a chess tournament.
He said he played chess a long time ago already and is an avid reader of Chess Mate.
The 2003 Open Chess tournament was sponsored and hosted by Margarita Borja Dalton, another senatorial candidate.
Incumbent senator Steven Kanai was invited to participate in the 2004 Non-master chess tourney but did not respond.
Solution to last week's puzzle: The key move is 1. Na6! and black will be mated in 2 moves against any defence. Can yo figure it all out? Black has 4 alternatives.
This week's puzzle: White to play and mates in 3
Solution: 1. Ne7++ Kh8 2. Ng6+! hxg6 3. hxg6 mate.
White to play and mates in 3 (Solution next issue)
Source:
Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
October 01-08, 2004
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