Palau Chessmate: (194) UNBEATEN NO MORE; GANCAYCO IS CLASS B CHAMP

CLASS B CHAMP
Miguel Gancayco, seated right, clinched the title of Class B Champion of Paquito Suringa Cup held at Palau Royal Resort Dorm 1 on Nov. 18 by beating Rey Alenain, seated left. Other participants are (L-R) Ferdie Altea (5th), Ronel Gutierrez (9th), Joel Gabris (7th), Erick Ventinilla (withdrew), Jerome Ratunil (4th), top seed Elizalde Madrinan (3rd), George Gabris (8th), Roberto Hernandez (semifinalist Class A) and the innovator of the event Paquito 'Pax' Suringa, Jr. (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

UNBEATEN NO MORE;
GANCAYCO IS CLASS B CHAMP

TWO STREAKS were snapped in the week 8 of 2009 Palau National Chess Championship held on Sunday, November 15 at D. J. Cruz General Merchandise premises.

Bernard Garcia's 4-game win streak was snapped by Michael Mercado in 37 moves of their Ruy Lopez (Spanish Defence) clash. Mercado keeps his winning record (6th) way back from qualifying round.

However, it lasted only 3 hours as 4th seed Roberto Hernandez stalled his undefeated run in 60 moves of Pirc Defence.

That leaves 2nd seed Cyril Montel, Jr. as the only undefeated player with 3 straight. He came late in the evening and didn't play a match.

Masum Billah added Elpidio Manaligod as his 3rd victim when he upset Elpi in 71 moves of Giocco Piano. Elpi blundered away a whole rook on his 34th move that led to his downfall.

He bounced back from defeat and toppled Jun Mahor in 55 moves of King's Pawn Opening. Earlier in the afternoon, Mahor dealt Craig Dittrich his 5th straight loss in 47 moves of Queen's Gambit Declined.

Tito Cabunagan kept his perfect record at Class B (Consolation round) with a time forfeit win over Mario Ramos in 46 moves of Sicilian Defence.

Ramos was unawared of his time thinking that he spent only 30 minutes in their over 2 hours encounter. Tito still has 50 minutes left in his clock.

Another complaint was lodged by Bangladeshi bet Akram Hossain in his game against Ken Pastrana. Before their game, Hernandez explained to him that when he played against Ken on Oct. 18, Ken is representing Val Vidar and now that Ken has replaced Panfilo Pepito Jr., he will play him now as another contestant.

He agreed but when he's about to lose in their game, he compained again. It was decided that his win over Vidar will stay as it is and he lost his game against Ken in 40 moves of KPO.

Ramos dealt Akram his 5th loss in 32 moves of Sicilian Defence in the last game of the day (Class B).

On November 12, Jimboy de Jesus halved the point with Andres 'Aying' Mestizo II in 54 moves of Bird's Opening.

The Class B of Pquito Suringa Cup Rapid Chess tournament has officially concluded after Ferdie Altea and Jerome Ratunil clustered crucial wins to make the semifinalists uncomfortable.

Altea needs to win his last 7 remaining games to tie Rey Alenain with 10 points. He swept Randy Sioson and Ronel Gutierrez. But when he lost his last game to Rey, his chances now will depend on how Jerome will finish his last 7.

IT WAS THE MOST INCREDIBLE FINISH IN AMATEUR CHESS AS JEROME WON ALL OF HIS 7 REMAINING GAMES!

It forged a 3-way tie with him, Miguel Gancayco and top seed Elizalde Madrinan at 11.5 points each.

The direct encounter tiebreak was used and the semifinal match was set between No. 1 Rey and No. 4 Jerome and No. 2 Miguel vs. No. 3 Eli.

Photo session was held before the start of the semifinals watched by other players on the eve of November 17.

The Rey-Jerome match saw the aggressiveness of Jerome and he won Rey's queen in exchange of a pair of bishop and 2 pawns which is enough to put Jerome on the defensive lately and soon gave back the queen to lose in heartbreaking fashion.

Meanwhile, Eli missed a forced mate with 17 seconds remaining in his time to lose also in disappointing manner by time forfeit.

In the championship of Class B, Miguel escaped with a win after giving away his queen for a rook that Rey didn't take.

The crowd was disappointed with Rey's mind block but overall, his performance is excellent.

Miguel was given the top cash prize of $25.00 and $15.00 goes to Rey as runner-up.

CLASS B FINAL STANDINGS: 1. Rey Alenain (12-4-0) 2. Miguel Gancayco (11-4-1) 3. Elizalde Madrinan (10-3-3) 4. Jerome Ratunil (11-4-1) 5. Ferdie Altea (7-9-0) 6. Randy Sioson (6-9-1) 7. Joel Gabris (6-10-0) 8. George Gabris (3-11-2) 9. Ronel Gutierrez (2-12-2).

In Class A, invited player Joel Flor swept and ousted Jaime Guevarra and split the 2-game match with Pax to stay in contention for the last 2 spots of the semifinals.

It's now down to him, the other invited players Andres Mestizo II and Arnel Ogalesco and Pax.

Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Pages 13 & 15
Volume 18 Issue 47
November 23-29, 2009