HE'S BEEN in Palau for only four months but the impact that he is putting in the quality of chess in Palau is tremendous.
He joined the ongoing rapid chess tournament in its 5th week and after losing his first game to Palau's number two Jose Omega, he showed his mastery of the game as nobody beats him in his next 15 games including Omega in their second game of this double round-robin event.
When interviewed by Knights and Rooks Chess Club chairman Roberto Hernandez, Villa said he hired Philippine National Master Allan Saysot in his attempt to put his potential to the fullest.
They usually played in blitz with Saysot having 2 minutes and Villa, 5 minutes. When the time came that he had beaten Saysot, Villa was rewarded with a tournament size chessboard and pieces that Saysot owned.
Villa's wife doesn't support his chess career and even burnt a box of his chess books. He still prefers the old games played than the recent games of Grandmasters and world champions.
On November 12, Villa joined a blitz chess tourney with Palau's top player Menandro Manuel, No. 3 Cyril Montel, Jr., No. 4 Roberto Hernandez, No. 5 NM Manny Nedic, No. 7 Gene Pastrana and Koror State Legal Counsel Craig Dittrich.
After drawing his first game with Manuel, he swept the opposition like a storm.
Despite his talent in chess, he is still humble enough to share what he knows about the game, including time management and tactics.
When another blitz tournament was held on Sunday, November 19, with 5 players participating: Villa, Hernandez, Montel, Jr., Pastrana and Omega, who has to work within the next hour.
Omega defeated Villa but like a wounder warrior, Villa scored 5 straight victories and drew the last game with Manuel (who replaced Omega), to clinch the title over Hernandez by a mere half point.
Nedic, Manuel and Edwin Eti joined the field to make the event a single round-robin of 8 players.
In the ongoing rapid chess tilt, Villa will win it if he will beat or draw with NMs Manuel and Nedic.
Source: The Coming of Tony Villa
by Roberto Hernandez
Page 19
Island Times Newspaper
November 23-29, 2006
MANUEL, VILLA SHARE
RAPID CHESS TITLE
PALAU'S TOP player National Master Menandro Manuel and veteran-newcomer Tony Villa share the title of 2006 Rapid Chess tournament in contrasting fashion on Sunday, December 10 at Jean's Boutique and Store.
Both finished with an identical 15 points with Manuel suffering four losses, the last one to his nemesis fellow National Master Manny Nedic that allowed Villa to tie him for the title and cash prize of $175.00 that they will split as they refused to play a best-of-3 blitz tiebreak.
The next 5 players that have a chance for the remaining pot will be decided next week with 3 remaining games between Edwin Eti and Cyril Montel, Jr. (2 games) and Nedic vs. venue host Gene Pastrana.
Nedic lost to Manuel in their first game but bounced back from defeat to drubbed Montel, Jr.
The 3rd place is a toss up between Nedic and Eti, who sponsored the $100.00 cash prize.
The other cash prizes were donation from Manny Kimpo ($250.00) of Pinoy Express Remittance, Palau and from registration fees of the participating players.
Palau number 2 player Jose Omega, 3rd seed Montel, Jr. and 4th seed Roberto Hernandez are fighting it out for the last spot of the last tournament of the year.
All other players that didn't come have lost their remaining matches by default: Koror State Legal Counsel Craig Dittrich, Flavin Andres and Joel Azana.
A 7-player blitz chess contest was held after the regular games. They are Villa, Manuel, Eti, Hernandez, Nedic, Montel, Jr. and Pastrana.
After 6 games, 3 players were tied for the lead: Villa, Nedic and Hernandez with an identical 5-1-0 card.
After Villa ousted Hernandez of contention, Nedic bowed out of contention also with his loss to Montel, Jr., who needs to beat Villa to force a 3-way tie for the title.
But it wasn't meant to be as Villa showed his supremacy again in speed chess.
Due to low turnout of participants in the Christmas break chess tournament for Palauan kids 15 years and below, the organizers are now allowing Filipino kids to participate in the inaugural event.
14-year old Jayrome Soriano will become the top seed to be followed by Dmitri Villanueva and Ken Pastrana, the junior champion of the Ambassador Marino Cup Rapid Chess tournament.
The Christmas party of Knights and Rooks Chess Club will be held on December 17 or 24 depending on the agreed date.
If it's on the 24th, Villa can participate in the celebration and blitz chess festival that will be divided into rated and beginners, as he will have a one-week vacation on the 22nd.
Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
December 15-22, 2006
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