(160) Palau Horizon (Manuel Rules Regular Chess)

                      MANUEL RULES REGULAR CHESS
                                                                       By Nazario Rodriguez, Jr.
                                                                            Horizon News Staff


TOP SEED Roberto Hernandez dealt Menandro Manuel his lone defeat after 21 rounds but this did not stop the latter from taking the title in this Sunday's final day of competiton in the 2005 Regular Chess tournament at the Privilege Store in Malakal.

The third seeded Manuel blundered in the endgame for the loss but his three victories via defaults earned him his second title in two years following his capture of the 2003 Open when he was competing as a first timer.

Manuels' other three scheduled foes are Marcial Rodriguez, Mario Ramos and Tutii Joe Chilton, all three did not show up.

"I think that there must be more players. More prizes should be given to attract participants," said Manuel, who finished with an aggregate of 19 points built on 18 wins, 1 loss and 2 draws.

Manuel said there is a need for more information drive to attract local players. Adding that he wanted Palauan kids to be developed.

Hernandez placed second in three consecutive times after compiling 17.5 points (17-3-1).

The playing chairman of Knights and Rooks Chess Club said the title is really not his, still trying to figure out the impact of his loss to spoiler Mariano Agustin, Jr., who prevailed in 36 moves of an Irregular Opening.

Three players finished with a similar 15.5 total but 5th seed Jose Omega was third based on the Sonnenborn Berger system of tiebreak where he got 141 points.

Fourth seed Cyril Montel had 127 for fourth place while ninth seed Bong Alipoon had 121.5 for fifth place.

Dennis Gonzales became the winner of the Most Improved Player award following a tie on points with Gene Pastrana. They finished both with 12 points.

Rounding out the final standings were sixth Lin de Guzman (15 points); seventh Jimmy Valenzuela (13.5 pts); eighth Manuel Nedic (13); ninth Gonzales (12); 10th Pastrana (12); 11th Ivan II Chess Computer (10); 12th Mario Ramos (9.5); 13th Agustin, Jr. (8.5); 14th Rodriguez (8.5); 15th Morton Sawaichi (8); 16th Tutii Joe Chilton (7.5); 17th Joel Azana (6.5); 18th Ronald Maomay (5); 19th Eric Espartero (4.5); 20th Em-R de Vera (4.5); 21st Chris Domingo (3.5) and Liam Bornovski (3).

Source:

Palau Horizon

by Nazario Rodriguez, Jr.

Horizon News Staff

Vol. 7    No. 75

Tuesday

April 19-21, 2005