(172) TITO SWEEPS OPPOSITION; CHESS BOOM AT PRR

INVITATIONAL THIS TIME
Participants of the Paquito Suringa Cup Invitational Chess Tournament at Palau Royal Resort pose before the start of the Cup on Saturday, October 24 at PRR Dorm 1. From left, Miguel Gancayco --current leader of Class B; Gracie Alenain-top seed in the women's division; her husband Rey; Randy Sioson (B); Roberto Hernandez--top seed of Class A; Joel Gabris (B); Jaime Guevarra (A); Ronel Gutierrez (B) and the innovator of the event Paquito 'Pax' Suringa, Jr. --2nd seed of Class A.                                                                    (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)





             TITO SWEEPS OPPOSITION;
                   CHESS BOOM AT PRR

CLASS B division of the 2009 Palau National Chess Championship is dominated by Tito Cabunagan, who has yet to lose in 5 games.

He took the measure of late-comer Akram Hossain in the only afternoon game on Sunday, Oct. 25 at D. J. Cruz General Merchandise premises.

Earlier at 10:00 am, a classic match was set between Jaime Guevarra and Mohammad Manik Hossain to accomodate the former who has to work at 2 pm.

The much improved Manik outlasted Guevarra in 58 moves of Pirc Defence and obtained a well-balanced record of 3 wins and 3 losses. Jaime has a 1-1 win-loss slate.

In the finals, Bernard Garcia played 2 games and prevailed in both by nipping Romeo Caballes in 42 moves of Bishop Opening and Masum Billah in 48 moves of Two Knights Defence to keep abreast with 2nd seed Cyril Montel, Jr. at 3-0.

Top seed Menandro Manuel arrived at the tournament site again but Montel, Jr. refused to play against him.

They played a 4-player blitz chess contest instead with venue host Gene Pastrana and Tito. Manuel topped the event.

Late in the afternoon, Jun Mahor suffered a setback by bowing to Roberto Hernandez in 30 moves of Danish Gambit.

After a bishop sacrifice on the 7th move, Hernandez' 5 consecutive queen moves shattered Mahor's hapless kingside. Another bishop sacrifice on the 25th move forced Mahor to resign facing an inevitable mate.

In a special game on Wednesday night, October 28, Manuel dealt Mahor his 3rd loss in 29 moves of Irregular Opening (1. e3 e5 2. d4 e4) to remain undefeated and totes an identical card of 3-0.

The matches are supposed to be Mahor vs. Pastrana; Mahor vs. Paquito 'Pax' Suringa, Jr. and Caballes vs. Suringa, Jr. at Palau Royal Resort Dormitory 1 but only one game was played.


CHESS IS BOOMING AT PALAU ROYAL RESORT!

In the ongoing Paquito Suringa Cup Invitational, there are 9 players in both Class A and Class B and a possible 9 players likewise in the women's division.

It started on Saturday, October 24.

THE FOLLOWING IS THE DRAWN NUMBER OF PLAYERS AND THEIR WIN-LOSS-DRAW RECORD:

CLASS A 1. Joel Flor (invited) (No games played yet) 2. Paquito Suringa, Jr. (5-4-1) 3. Andres 'Aying' Mestizo II (invited) (4-4-2) 4. Robert Tubice (0-4-0) 5. Nino Flores (2-2-0) 6. Roberto Hernandez (2-0-0) 7. Jaime Guevarra (2-3-0) 8. Jomar Alerta (1-1-0) 9. Arnel Ogalesco (invited) (3-1-1).

CLASS B 1. Ferdie Altea (2-3-0) 2. Randy Sioson (5-4-0) 3. Ronel Gutierrez (0-2-0) 4. George Gabris (2-8-0) 5. Jerome Ratunil (4-4-1) 6. Rey Alenain (6-3-0) 7. Miguel Gancayco (6-2-1) 8. Joel Gabris (3-5-0) 9. Elizalde Madrinan (4-1-2).

The Class C (women's division) will be chaired by Ms. Melanie Santos. The participants are May Olis, Maricar Baules, Gracie Alenain, Tonet Medillo, Shirin Dy, Marizon Sarabia, the new Indonesian worker and the invited Kristen Senajon.

Roberto Hernandez' 92-year old father passed away on Friday, October 23, 2009 in Philippines. He is not going to attend the funeral because he just had a vacation in June after representing Palau in 2009 Oceania Zonal Chess Championship.

Instead, he will take a 5-day funeral leave on all Sundays of November to face his remaining 6 opponents without worrying about his work schedule.

Also to have time to play 14 more games in the Paquito Suringa Cup Invitational Rapid chess tournament at PRR Dorm 1.

The sponsors of 2009 Palau NCC are Bhoey Gopez of Island Logistics, Lucio Bandibas of WCTC, Ed Martinez of Print Zone (for 5 trophies), Bobby and Ogie Pineda and Jun dela Cruz of PALIBHASA ($60.00 for cash prizes).


Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
               Tia Belau Newspaper
               Pages 13 & 15
              Volume 18 Issue 44
               November 02-08, 2009