Four chessboards were set up for practices and official games of the 2009 Palau National Chess Championship at D. J. Cruz General Merchandise premises with Gene Pastrana, left, being the venue host. After his withdrawal, the remaining games were played at Palau Royal Resort. Practicing on the first table are (L) Jaime Guevarra vs. Mohammad Manik Hossain, Elizalde Madrinan vs. Jimboy de Jesus, newly-wed Craig Dittrich vs. Paquito Suringa, Jr. and Ken Pastrana vs. Joel Flor (hidden). George Gabris and a Bangladeshi observe the action.
(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)
TWO WEEKS TO FINISH
THE CONSOLATION round of the recently concluded 2009 Palau National Chess Championship will have 2 weeks to finish the remaining games not played yet.
Tito Cabunagan is the virtual champion and the 2nd and 3rd spot is being contested by Jose Misael (Jimboy) de Jesus and Mario Ramos, with the former leading with more wins but he lost to Ramos weeks ago.
The 5 trophies were already given to Roberto Hernandez last Wednesday by Bhoey Gopez of Island Logistics, Lucio Bandibas of WCTC and Ed Martinez of Print Zone.
The awarding will be held after the completion of Class B.
THE FINAL STANDINGS ARE: 1. Cyril Montel, Jr. (Champion) 2. Menandro Manuel (1st Runner-up) 3. Roberto Hernandez (2nd Runner-up) 4. Bernard Garcia (3rd Runner-up) and 5. Michael Mercado (4th Runner-up).
Completing the standings are: 6. Manuel 'Jun' Mahor 7. Romeo Caballer 8. Elpidio Manaligod 9. Paquito Suringa, Jr. 10. Gene Pastrana 11. Masum Billah and newly-wed Craig Dittrich.
Montel will receive the Cup trophy and $30.00 cash prize while Manuel will get $20.00 and a trophy.
By special arrangement, Hernandez will receive the gift certificate of Brunch for 2 at Palau Pacific Resort in exchange of his trophy and $10.00 to Garcia, who prefers a souvenir trophy than a gift certificate donated by PPR GM Sho Suzuki.
Garcia's $10.00 will be donated to Palau Chess Federation funds for payment to World Chess Federation (FIDE).
The total $60.00 cash prizes were donated by PALIBHASA group of Bobby Pineda, Jun dela Cruz and Ogie Pineda.
The other gift certificate will be given to Michael Mercado.
In the resumption of Edgar Cayanan Cup Rapid Chess tournament at Palau Royal Resort Dormitory 1, Mohammad Manik Hossain is present every Saturday to play the available players.
He split 2 games with Suringa, Jr. and George Gabris, who is joining the Class A to improve his game. Joel Gabris was swept by Manik in the last 2 games of the Cup. Joel also shifted from Class B to A.
There is a plan to make the tournament without Class A or B to have lowly rated players elevate their level of play.
In August 2009, Gene Pastrana was given by Hernandez a copy of Benjamin Franklin's "The Morals Of Chess". Knowing that Pastrana has committed a lot of unsportsmanlike conduct while playing chess, Hernandez underlined the part that says: "3. NO FALSE MOVE SHOULD EVER BE MADE TO EXTRICATE YOURSELF OUT OF A DIFFICULTY, OR TO GAIN ADVANTAGE. THERE CAN BE NO PLEASURE IN PLAYING WITH A PERSON ONCE DETECTED IN SUCH UNFAIR PRACTICE".
That article was emailed to Hernandez by Joselito Marcos, a very knowledgable person who has in his collection more than 4 million chess games played around the world.
In his January 13, 2010 email (while having a vacation in Philippines), he stated: "Dear Roberto, You are handling the situation well as far as I can see. Also laudable was you giving Pastrana the option to settle what he owes to the federation by installment.
On account of Gene's withdrawal, you may have to choose a replacement for him in the Asian Chess Championship in Subic, Philippines from April 20-30, 2010. You may ask for nomination -- only those who are willing to pay their airfare would make it. Boarding and lodging are complimentary for official representative.
Papua New Guinea will not be sending any rep. I am not sure but Shaun Press may be intereseted and I won't mind if he does go. I am preparing for the Chess Olympiad in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia.
I am yet to meet my colleagues in the Nueva Ecija Chess Arbiters Association which I founded and consisted of Manila Chess Olympiad arbiters because I am in Metro Manila most of the times. I am the founding president of the association and it was through my encouragement and prodding that the other 4 members made it to the Manila Olympiad. A legacy I left with them was our tournaments are well organized and orderly from the start to finish, and disputes (if any, are few and come in between) are settled amicably according to the tournament regulations and FIDE Laws of Chess. This is about all for now. Cheers. Lito
Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Pages 13 & 15
Volume 19 Issue 06
February 08-14, 2010
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