(122) THE RETURN OF THE 'COMEBACKS'

THE RETURN OF THE "COMEBACKS"

ALL IS set for the opening of the 2005 Rapid Chess tournament, the last tourney of the year to be held this Sunday, October 23 at Jean's Boutique premises just across Maris Stella School.

Sonsored by Helena Yoichi, the owner of this boutique and its manager Most Improved Player honoree Gene Pastrana, the event will feature the comeback of at least five players: 2-time champion Menandro Manuel, Lin de Guzman, former champ Jess Toldoya, Gerry Sermeno and Jimboy de Jesus, the 2nd runner-up in the 2004 Rapid Chess tilt.

De Jesus trophy has not yet been given as the maker, Tutii Joe Chilton, had only finished the trophy of the junior champion Em-R de Vera. The other unfinished trophies are for eventual champion Eddie Grefiel, 2nd runner-up Roberto Hernandez, 3rd runner-up Manuel and 4th runner-up Cyril Montel, Jr.

Junior division's 1st runner-up Christopher Domingo is the receiver of the 7th trophy that needs to be given.

The Filipino Community in Palau (TFCP) sponsored last year's Rapid Chess tourney. Its president, Boie Aguas asked Hernandez early this year to look for trophy maker. He pledged $50.00 of his own money for the trophies.

Chilton pledged that $50.00 to be added to the financial obligation of Palau as membership fee ($476.00) so that Palau chess players can now participate in the World Chess Olympiad in Turin, Italy next year. Australian Gary Bekker donated $100.00 for the campaign.

De Jesus will start with his old rating of 1889 and will be the 13th seed while Sermeno will be at the bottom of the standings with his old rating of 1583.

A newcomer, Francis 'Sno' Temaungil will be given a special time control because he is just a beginner with the game. Rapid chess time control is 30 minutes for each player to finish the game. Temaungil will be given an extra 30 minutes. Other newcomers who would like to join will be given the same extra minutes.

Sno is currently undergoing serious chess training with Hernandez to try to make it as reserve in the 6-man team in the 2006 World Chess Olympiad. Morton Sawaichi has already been chosen as one of the reserve as Chilton is not sure because of earlier commitment.

The trophies and certificates of appreciation will be awarded before the start of the first and second round of Rapid Chess tilt. Pastrana will receive his MIP trophy while Manny Nedic will get his first-ever trophy, the 3rd runner-up.

Bong Alipoon, the 1st runner-up, has come back from vacation. He will also receive his trophy.

HERNANDEZ, ALIPOON AND JIMMY VALENZUELA ARE THE ONLY THREE PLAYERS WHO PARTICIPATED IN ALL PREVIOUS TEN TOURNAMENTS HELD IN PALAU.


Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
               Tia Belau Newspaper 
               Volume XIV 
               Issue 42 
              October 21-28, 2005