Michael Mercado, left (sitting), played for the first time at new venue - Palau Royal Resort Dormitory 1 Lounge vs. Paquito 'Pax' Suringa, Jr. (sitting right). Watching the game are the regular participants of 2 previous Pax Cup Rapid Chess tournaments: L-R Ronel Gutierrez, Rey Alenain, Erick 'Goma' Ventinilla, Roberto Hernandez,Joel Gabris, Elizalde Madrinan, inaurgural Pax Cup champ Ferdie Altea and Randy 'Buhawi' Sioson.
(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)
CYRIL MONTEL, JR.-CHAMPION AT LAST!!!
HE PARTICIPATED in all but one major chess tournaments in Palau since September 2002 and won numerous runner-up finishes but never been a champion.
His time has come and he wrote a new chapter in Palau chess history--being a champion undefeated.
He swept the opposition like a storm in all of his games at the 2009-2010 Palau National Chess Championship.
His match against Palau's top player Menandro Manuel on Saturday, January 23, showed a sign of playing with maturity as he sacrificed his queen on the 29th move, recovered it with interest (a pawn and a bishop) two moves later and prevailed over Manuel in 38 moves of Sicilian Defence.
He virtually clinched the title when his closest rival and co-employee Bernard Garcia succumbed to pressure against Manuel with a whole piece advantage. The disadvantage was offset when Garcia's king was not able to castle to safety and was exposed in the middle of the board.
He resigned on the 35th move of Slav Defence. The loss somehow affected his play and lost his last 3 games on Sunday, Jan. 24 to Paquito 'Pax' Suringa, Jr., Cyril and Craig Dittrich.
He was overtaken by 4th seed Roberto Hernandez at the final 3rd place finish.
Cyril completed his undefeated run by scoring his 11th point over another Manuel -- Manuel 'Jun' Mahor, Jr.
In the other completed matches in the last day of the tourney, Elpidio Manaligod drew with Michael Mercado and another drawn game between Pax and Craig. Menandro scored his 8th point over Mercado.
FINAL STANDINGS OF PLAYERS AND THEIR WIN-LOSS-DRAW RECORD: 1. Cyril Montel, Jr. (11-0-0) 11 pts. 2. Menandro Manuel (8-2-0) 8 pts. 3. Roberto Hernandez (7-3-0) 7 pts. 4. Bernard Garcia (6-5-0) 6 pts. 5. Michael Mercado (4-3-2) 5 pts. 6. Manuel Mahor (4-5-1) 4.5 pts. 7. Romeo Caballes (3-4-2) 4 pts. 8. Paquito Suringa, Jr. (3-6-1) 3.5 pts. 9. Elpidio Manaligod (2-5-3) 3.5 pts. 10. Masum Billah (3-8-0) 3 pts. 11. Gene Pastrana (2-7-2) 3 pts. 12. Craig Dittrich (2-6-1) 2.5 pts.
With his win, Cyril will now represent Palau in Asian Chess Championship at Subic Bay Philippines this year as Pastrana is not interested to go there even with the free airfare from Gary Bekker.
Pastrana offered that trip to Dittrich but he is also not interested.
If the trophies are ready, the awarding ceremony will be held next Sunday at Palau Royal Resort Dormitory 1.
Palau Pacific Resort's General Manager Sho Suzuki has given to Hernandez the 2 gift certificate of Sunday Brunch for 2 at the Coconut Terrace of PPR.
Cash prizes will be $30.00 to the champion (Montel), $20.00 to the 1st runner-up (Menandro Manuel), and $10.00 to 2nd runner-up (Hernandez) courtesy of PALIBHASA group of macho men--Bobby Pineda, Ogie Pineda and Jun dela Cruz.
Trophies sponsors are Bhoey Gopez of Island Logistics, Lucio Bandibas of WCTC and Ed Martinez of Print Zone.
In the consolation round of the finals, Tito Cabunagan is 2 wins away from another undefeated champion of Class B. He clobbered Jaime Guevarra in 55 moves of Pirc Defence while Joel Flor toppled Gonzalo 'Jojo' Escapatoria in 38 moves of Bishop Opening and nipped Mohammad Manik Hossain later in the afternoon in 26 moves of Giocco Piano at Dormitory 1 of Palau Royal Resort.
The Edgar Cayanan Cup also started on a very busy Saturday with Hossain sweeping Miguel Gancayco but was swept in return by Guevarra. He split 2 games with Masum Billah and outwitted Rey Alenain.
Fourth seed Roberto Hernandez got an email from Ric Ambatali, his chess buddy in Brisbane, Australia, who commented about Gene Pastrana's withdrawal that says:
"Dear all, it's really sad to know what's happening in Palau chess. If they don't have "Chess Sportsmanship" , they should not join because other law-abiding chess players have been affected. Gene's action is shameful. With his long experience playing in chess tournaments, he didn't learn yet to act with sportsmanlike conduct. The painful part is that others have been affected by his actions.
Your decision is right. You have given him a copy of the FIDE Laws of Chess which is very clear to understand. One thing more, it's not your obligation to give him a copy of FIDE Laws of Chess. It's his obligation to himself as a veteran chess player. The fact that you have given him a copy and he does not like to abide to it, it's useless to proceed. For me, you have done the right thing.
You have to abide to the FIDE Laws of Chess. Otherwise, who is Gene to alter the FIDE Laws of Chess? Or to make his own new by-laws? Is he crazy? It's really shameful.
Regarding to his withdrawal, you ask Gary Bekker about what kind of penalty should be imposed to him for not abiding or following the rules and regulations of FIDE Laws of Chess and to give him a lesson. He must be given a penalty for doing such a bad thing. Otherwise, it will be a precedent to others to do what he did. You must, I have said, give him some sort of penalty so that other chess players will not do the same.
Also, regarding about your chess funds, he must give it back because it's not his money. As early as possible, he should return it and what he did is really shameful.
Anyway, good luck again. Regards, Ric
Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Pages 13 & 15
Volume 19 Issue 04
January 25-31, 2010
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