(195) Hernandez is Pax Cup Champ; Cyril Nips Elpi

PAX CUP CHAMP AND RUNNER-UP
Roberto Hernandez, sitting right, bags the Class A title of Paquito Suringa Cup Invitational Rapid Chess tournament at Palau Royal Resort Dormitory 1. His runner-up, Joel Flor, sitting left, almost beat him in the first game. Standing from left to right, Vhal Taylo, Ferdie Altea, Paquito Suringa, Class B champion Miguel Gancayco and Joel Gabris.                                                                            (Photo by Paquito Suringa, Jr.)

HERNANDEZ IS PAX CUP CHAMP;
CYRIL NIPS ELPI

PRIOR TO the start of Paquito Suringa Cup semifinals at Palau Royal Resort Dormitory 1, a drama unfolds when semifinalist and invited player Joel Flor informed the organizers that he will not make it at 4:00 pm because he was asked to work overtime.

Top seed Roberto Hernandez decided to replace Joel with no. 5 Paquito Suringa but 2nd seed Nino Flores rejected the idea. He would be very happy to make it to the finals without sweat.

At 4:15, Hernandez started his semifinal game against Arnel Ogalesco and the news that Joel is on his way to play against Nino incited the crowd of non-qualifiers.

In the middle of Hernandez-Ogalesco match, the Flores-Flor match ensued. Hernandez is annotating their game and castles on the 14th moves. Arnel blundered away a knight and was mated by a pawn on the 28th move of Danish Gambit.

Nino is struggling with a passive position and resigned when he can't stop Joel from obtaining a new queen.

The Game 1 of the finals show how tough Joel is. He won 3 pawns after only 13 moves of solid attack. Although Hernandez recovered 2 of those pawns 17 moves later, Joel can't convert his h pawn advantage to a win and settled for a draw after 70 moves.

Hernandez stopped writing their chess moves when he got into time trouble with more than 4 minutes left in his clock while Joel still have 16 minutes. Roberto's roommate Jaime Guevarra wrote 3/4 of their moves.

In the second game, a Sicilian Defence, Hernandez exchanged his knight for 2 pawns to avoid losing his queen but obtained a strong attack and mobility of his pieces.

Joel was mated on the 28th move after a neat bishop sacrifice a move earlier.

Joel received $15.00 as runner-up and Hernandez pocketed $25.00. He donated $10.00 for treat to other participants and prepared for his match against Palau's number one chess player Menandro 'Boy' Manuel in the resumption of 2009 Palau National Chess Championship at D. J. Cruz General Merchandise premises.

After having dinner, Hernandez called venue host Gene Pastrana but nobody answered. He called Manuel's 2 cell phone numbers and no response also. He thought the players left early.

Finally, after four days, Hernandez was able to get the results of Sunday's games (November 29). Second seed Cyril Montel, Jr. is on a roll and nipped Elpidio Manaligod in 32 moves of Center Counter and stayed undefeated with 5 straight wins.

In the other game (Class B), Tito Cabunagan adjourned his match against Gonzalo Escapatoria because the power went off after only 12 moves.

Their game will be resumed after Escapatoria comes back from Philippines to buy construction materials for Masang, his employer.

Edgar Cayanan, the Assistant Food and Beverage Manager of PRR, is sponsoring $20.00 for cash prize or trophy plus $10.00 cash for the next PRR chess tournament for employees only to start on December 10.

It is to be called Edgar Cayanan Cup Rapid Chess tournament. No invited players this time and Hernandez will not be allowed to participate.

It will be a double round-robin without Class A or B. Players will use the 56 By The Book Chess Openings prepared by Hernandez to familiarize the players to what kind of openings or defence they will use that fit their style.

Ivan II Chess Computer will join the field with its strength at EASY against beginners and AVERAGE against top seed Guevarra and Pax.

The 2009 Palau National Chess Championship is sponsored by Bhoey Gopez of Island Logistics, Lucio Bandibas of WCTC and Ed Martinez of Print Zone -- (5 trophies) and by Bobby Pineda, Ogie Pineda and Jun dela Cruz of PALIBHASA group of macho men.


Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
             Tia Belau Newspaper
             Pages 13 & 15
            Volume 18 Issue 49
            December 07-13, 2009