(241) MERCADO NIPS GARCIA AND DITTRICH; ON TO THE FINALS

PALAU ROYAL RESORT HAS 21 CHESS PLAYERS
Maricar Baules, left, practices fun chess with Vhal Taylo using the only one tournament size chess board available. The others are being used in the 2009 Palau National Chess Championship where 4 of 21 chess players of Palau Royal Resort are participating: Roberto Hernandez, Jaime Guevarra, Paquito 'Pax' Suringa, Jr. and Elizalde Madrinan. Other PRR players are Erick Ventinilla, Edgar Cayanan, Nino Flores, Robert Tubice, Tony Penas, Randy Sioson, Jess David, Morris Apresto, Miguel Gancayco, Jerome Ratunil, Ferdie Altea, Joel and George Gabris, Rey Alenain and the other lady May Floribel Olis.
INSET: Tito Cabunagan -- A win is not enough.
Val Vidar -- Better luck at Class B.
Craig Dittrich -- Needs at least a draw.
(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

               MERCADO NIPS GARCIA
        AND DITTRICH; ON TO THE FINALS

MICHAEL Mercado stayed undefeated after scoring his 4th consecutive victories in the penultimate round of 2009 Palau National Chess Championship held on Sunday, September 20 at D. J. Cruz General Merchandise premises. He clobbered Bernard Garcia in 34 moves of King's Pawn Opening.

Thus, Mercado became the first qualifier with Garcia still will make it even if he'll lose his final round game against Jun Mahor, who also qualifies after a marathon 64-move conquest of Andres 'Aying' Mestizo II.

The other 3 matches were defaul losses to Tutii Joe Chilton, Flavin Andres and Zaldy Necia, who will now be replaced by Panfilo Pepito, Jr.

Victories were given to Masum Billah, Val Vidar and Mario Ramos respectively.

THIS IS THE FINAL ROUND PAIRINGS: (First name to play the white pieces)
1. Michael Mercado (4 pts.) vs. Craig Dittrich (3) 2. Bernard Garcia (3) vs. Jun Mahor (3) 3. Elpidio Manaligod (3) vs. Joel Flor (2) 4. Jaime Guevarra (2.5) vs. Masum Billah (2.5) 5. Mario Ramos (2) vs. Tutii Joe Chilton (1.5) 6. Andres Mestizo II (2) vs. Romeo Caballes (2) 7. Tito Cabunagan (2) vs. Flavin Andres (1.5) 8. Jose Misael de Jesus (1) vs. Panfilo Pepito, Jr. (0) 9. Mohammad Manik Hossain (1) vs. Elizalde Madrinan (0).

The Val Vidar vs. Paquito 'Pax' Suringa, Jr. match was played on Monday evening September 21 at the tournament venue and it was a draw in another 64-move clash that resulted in Pax going to the finals and ousted Vidar.

Palau Chess Federation Secretary/Treasurer Roberto Hernandez set a match between Jaime Guevarra and Masum Billah on Friday evening, Sept. 25.

Jaime missed more than 6 winning or drawing lines and lost in another marathon 67 moves of Queen's Gambit Declined. Thus, Masum made it to the finals and the last spots will be contested by 5 players -- Mestizo II, Tito Cabunagan, Craig, Romeo and Elpi.

The most crucial match is the Mestizo II vs. Caballes encounter that whoever wins will make it to the finals.

Even if Joel will beat Elpi, his tiebreak points will not be enough to make it. The same with Mario while Tito needs to win and hopes that Manik will score a victory to add to his total points.

After the 2 regular games were played, 6 players compete in a round robin blitz chess contest at the tournament venue. Palau's top player Menandro 'Boy' Manuel, venue host Gene Pastrana, Roberto Hernandez, Tito Cabunagan, Romeo Caballes started with Jun Mahor hesitant to join because he thought it's a knockout system.

The time control is 10 minutes for each player to finish the game for the top three. A different time format for playing the new ones: 5 minutes for the veterans and 10 minutes to the new ones.

After Tito beats Roberto, Gene and Boy drew their game. Jun joined the group. In the 2nd round, Tito almost defeated Manuel when he won a whole piece but left his 2 rooks unprotected and were captured without compensation.

Meanwhile, Roberto made short work on Romeo, winning in just 8 moves of Danish Gambit where Romeo is not familiar with. Roberto then bested Menandro and Gene and his last game against Jun is crucial.

If he will win it, the others can't catch up with him anymore. And he did! With still 13 minutes left to report for work at 6:00 pm, he made it and brought home another blitz chess title.

The PALIBHASA group of Bobby and Ogie Pineda and Jun dela Cruz gave Hernandez the $60.00 for the cash prize of the PNCC.

On the next tournament in February 2010, they will sponsor the 1st prize of round trip ticket to Manila or Guam!

Bhoey Gopez, Lucio Bandibas and Ed Martinez are the only 3 APO (Alpha Phi Omega) members in Palau. They are sponsoring 5 trophies.

Mr. Gopez is now asking for the PCF logo and name of the tournament for engraving on the trophies which may be divided into 3 for the top 3 finishers of the 2009 Palau NCC finals and the other 2 to the top 2 finishers of the Class B (non-qualifiers).

Cash prizes might also be $30.00 for the champion, $20.00 to the 1st runner-up and $10.00 to the 2nd runner-up.


Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
            Tia Belau Newspaper
            Pages 13 & 15
            Volume 18
            Issue 39
            September 28- October 04, 2009