CHESS NEOPHYTE GOT HIS BAPTISM OF FIRE
Jeffrey Negrillo, left, played his first tournament game in Palau on Nov. 17 against Mohammad Manik Hossain, 2nd from right. Jeff got his baptism of fire and lost in 42 moves of King's Pawn Opening. Before their game, Manik practiced with George Gabris, right, while macho man Erick Ventinilla poses and watched the game in the sideline. Next Wednesday, Ferdie Altea will play Manik in the dashing game of wits.
(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)
DUE TO Manny Pacquiao - Antonio Margarito boxing bout on Sunday, Nov. 14, a very low turnout of players participated on the opening of 2010-2011 Palau National Chess Championship.
Some newcomers have come to Beken's Store and General Merchandise as early as 10 am.
The one-sided fight ended with Pacquiao winning by unanimous decision and ended at about 2:30 pm (Palau time).
After attending the 4th Watchers service at Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ (4th Watch), Roberto Hernandez waited for players at Beken's Store.
While setting the chess table, Mohammad Manik Hossain came and they practiced one rapid chess game.
They draw the number of players before playing their official game at 4:00 pm.
THE FOLLOWING IS THE NUMBERING OF PLAYERS: 1. Dennis Gonzales 2. Bernardo Garcia 3. Mohammad Manik Hossain (he drew his own name), 4. Roberto Hernandez (strangely, he drew his own name also), 5. Menandro Manuel 6. Jeffrey Negrillo 7. Andres Mestizo II 8. Tito Cabunagan 9. Elizlade Madrinan 10. Ferdi Altea 11. Jose Misael de Jesus 12. Masum Billah 13. Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. 14. Amante Caballero and 15. Manuel Mahor, Jr.
Elpidio Manaligod, Mario Ramos and Romeo Caballes were not included in the list of 15 players because they cannot be contacted through their telephone numbers.
Caballes' return to Palau return to Palau is not yet certain but he will difinitely be accepted as late comer.
The two invited Palauans will miss this edition of PNCC due to schedule conflict of Tutii Joe Chilton and health reason for Flavin Andres.
Before their practice and official game, Hernandez borrowed 6 chairs from PMCC and set up another chess table in case some players will come to play.
In their official game, Manik blundered away a bishop on the 18th move and Hernandez prevailed in 31 moves of Sicilian Defence.
No other players came until 6:30 pm and the two call it a night as Manik has to work at 7:00 pm at Airai KB Shell Gas Station.
Roberto and Manik have the same day off (Wednesday) and they set up a match at Palau Royal Resort Dormitory 1 on Wed. Nov. 17 at 7pm. Manik will play Jeffrey Negrillo, who's been to Palau for just 2 months.
Manik practices with Hernandez, George Gabris and to the new security personnel of PRR. Hernandez offered to train him for a possible slot to Palau Chess Team at 2012 World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey.
Hernandez has all the materials to train a player like chess clocks, chess software, books, puzzles, Laws of Chess, ChessBase9 (where over 4 million games since year 1600 can be studied) and free time.
During their game, Jeffrey experienced for the first time to write his moves in Algebraic notation. He committed consecutive blunders on move 27th and 29th and was mated by a bishop on the 42nd move.
Before their game, Manik and Hernandez have started talks about saving once a month $50.00 for buying their own airfare for the Istanbul, Turkey World Chess Olympiad.
There is no election of president of World Chess Federation in 2012 and it will be hard to find airfare sponsor in a non-election Olympiad.
While talking about that, an email from Mr. Gary Bekker, former Oceania Zone President and the sponsor of Hernandez' airfare to Australia last year, noted his response to Hernandez' email: "Hi Gary, it's been a while since I have communication with you. Me and Tito Cabunagan are trying to go to New Zealand for 2011 Oceania Zonal Chess Championship. Brian Jones and Paul Spiller are trying to get me an airfare subsidy like you gave me last year. Could you please advise them on how you were able to get it? It is the only way that I could go there. If I will have to spend for the whole airfare, I cannot make it. I thought that you will come to 2010 World Chess Olympiad in Russia. I will forward to you the questionnaire sent to me by FIDE and Geoffrey Borg. In this way, you will know Palau and me better. I hope you're doing fine. Best regards, Roberto."
Mr. Bekker's response is good news: "Hi Roberto. Thank you for your email. I subsidized your airfare with my own personal money. Hopefully Brian and Paul will be able to find a corporate sponsor or arrange a discount with the airlines to assist you with your travel costs this time. Unfortunately, I have been extremely busy with my IT work and was unable to go to the 2010 Olympiad and sadly, will be unable to attend the 2011 Oceania Zonal either. Thank you for keeping in touch and for sending me the Palau questionnaire to keep updated on chess developments in Palau. All the best wishes for you, Tito and all of the Palau players. Gary Bekker."
Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Pages 12-13
Volume 19
Issue 47
November 22-28, 2010
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