Bernard Garcia, middle, shakes hand with Mohammad Manik Hossain before the start of their game at PRR Dorm 1. Their game was set-up by Roberto Hernandez, left, using their available time and day. Special arrangement of match is offered to accomodate most players whatever their schedules are.
(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)
JOJO STUNS CYRIL;
TITO & JOSE IN 2ND SPOT
GONZALO 'JOJO' Escapatoria scored the biggest upset of his chess career when he outwitted top seed and Palau's number 1 chess player Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. in the last featured game on Sunday, July 31, 2011 at Palau Royal Resort Dormitory 1. Earlier, Cyril defeated Jeff Balbalosa in 24 moves of Giocco Piano encounter.
Jose Celiz is on a roll after he scored 2 more points with a win over Dennis Gonzales and Angie Parrado. He is now tied with Tito Cabunagan at 2nd place with identical 5.5 points trailing Menandro Manuel at 7.5
On Friday afternoon, 3rd seed Roberto Hernandez played an official game against co-employee at PRR Paquito 'Pax' Suringa, Jr. and upended the witty Pax in 51 moves of Pirc Defence.
Pax played later in the night against another co-employee at PRR, Jeffrey Negrillo with the latter prevailing in a marathon 74-move of another Giocco Piano clash.
Bernard Garcia played his 2nd game of the tournament against Pax on Saturday and scored only half point even though he's down by 2 pawns in the bishop-of-opposite-color endgame.
With no progress in sight even offering the bishop, Pax and Bernard agreed to halve the point after 64 moves of Sicilian Defence.
After taking his lunch, Garcia played another official game vs. Hernandez a 2:30 pm. Garcia seems to be prepared of Hernandez' Budapest Opening and won a pawn on the 8th move.
After making an accurate defensive move of 9. Ne2, Hernandez thwarted the mating threat of Garcia, who blundered away his queen without compensation on the next move and resigned after only 16 moves facing unstoppable mate in 2 moves.
After his loss to Balbalosa in July 17, Hernandez scored 4 straight victories to stay abreast with Manuel, Tito, Jose, Cyril and Pax. Balbalosa in return, scored his 5th points by drubbing Angie Parrado in 50 moves of Center Counter Game. He lost 8 games and wants to finish all his games before going for vacation in early September.
His last remaining games are against Eugenio Pastrana, Negrillo, Elizalde Madrinan, Elpidio Manaligod, Rudel Roxas, Edwin Acuyan and Garcia.
Only 2 games were played on Sunday, Aug. 07. The set up match between Mohammad Manik Hossain and Ferdinand 'Bong' Gutierrez didn't materialize as Bong is not ready at 11:00. He said he will take his lunch before the match. Manik said he will come back and didn't do so.
After attending the 4th Watchers Service at Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ (4th Watch) Palau Locale, Hernandez played an official game against Jose Celiz. Their game was watched by other players such as Tito Cabunagan, Cyril, Pax, Bong and other chess enthusiasts of PRR.
Hernandez committed a mistake on the 26th move but Celiz committed a blunder on the 37th move and resigned when he can't stop the promotion of Hernandez' b and c pawns on the 47th move of Pirc Defence.
Due to insistence of Hernandez, Bong played an official game on his day off vs. Cyril and lost easily in 43 moves of another Giocco Piano game.
It was the 4th straight losses of Bong who have yet to find his rhythm. His second game was postponed for next Sunday against Tito as it's already past 6:00 pm where a new playing hours was implemented from 2:00 - 6:00 pm.
Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper Page 12-13
Volume 20 Issue 32 August 08, 2011
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