(250) HERNANDEZ LEADS NCC, PAX CUP

INTENSIVE CLASS C TRAINING
Ms. Tonet Medilo, 2nd from right, is undergoing intensive chess training every night at Palau Royal Resort Dorm 1 under the guidance of Miguel Gancayo, right, the current leader of Paquito Suringa Cup Rapid Chess tournament (Class B).                                                (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)



         HERNANDEZ LEADS NCC,
                      PAX CUP

ONLY TWO games were played in the week 7 of the 2009 Palau National Chess Championship with 4th seed Roberto Hernandez collecting his 5th win by defeating Craig Dittrich in 24 moves of Danish Gambit on Sunday, Nov. 08 at D. J. Cruz General Merchandise premises.

On Friday evening Nov. 06, Masum Billah played his 9th game against 3rd seed and venue host Gene Pastrana and lost in 44 moves of Sicilian Defence.

Jun Mahor, who totes a 2-3-1 win-loss-draw record, set up a match with Paquito Suringa, Jr. at Palau Royal Resort Dorm 1 on Monday, Nov. 09 but he didn't show up.

Top qualifier Michael Mercado was informed to play at least 2 games on Sunday but he didn't show up also at the tournament site.

He was at the Palau National Gymnasium watching/playing basketball.

He has only played one game so far (a draw with Mahor). He needs to play 10 more games before Christmas.

He is requested to call Hernandez to set up matches with him, Suringa, Jr. Pastrana, Romeo Caballes and Bernard Garcia in whatever day and time that he is available. This is a golden chance for him to gain international ranking.

The undefeated Garcia didnt make it on Sunday as he is on call support for the whole day.

He emailed Hernandez asking for solicitation letter for their suppliers to support the ongoing NCC.

In the consolation round (Class B) of the NCC, Elizalde Madrinan clustered a crucial win over Bangladeshi bet Akram Hossain in more than 70 moves of King's Pawn Opening.

Late in the night, Class B leader Tito Cabunagan is practicing blitz chess with Cyril Montel, Jr. as no available player is present while Billah and Jose Misael de Jesus aka Jimboy and lost in 40 moves of Bird's Opening.

In the resumption of Paquito Suringa Cup Rapid Chess tournament at PRR Dorm 1, Class A invited player Joel Flor finally played on Saturday Nov. 07.

He drew his first game vs. Hernandez and lost the 2nd one. He swept Jomar Alerta but was swept in return by Nino Flores.
On Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 11, Alerta was swept again by Hernandez time and virtually bow out of contention for the top 4 slots.

In the Class B division, erstwhile leader Miguel Gancayco is back in the driver's seat after sweeping Ferdie Altea and Joel Gabris and split the 2-game match with Rey Alenain on Tuesday evening Nov. 10.

Flores suggested that the top 4 finishers in both Class will have a semifinal match with no. 1 seed vs. no. 4 and No. 2 vs. No. 3

The top 2 in each division will receive cash prize from the $5.00 registration fees of each contestant plus some small cash support from other employees of Palau Royal Resort especially the Accounting Division.

Flores' suggestion will be applied. Many players and observers criticized that it is better if the one who suggested that format has already paid his registration fee.

Flores, Robert Tubice and Alerta (all of Engineering Department) are the only 3 players who haven't paid their dues yet.

CURRENT STANDINGS AND THEIR WIN-LOSS-DRAW SLATE:
CLASS A 1. Roberto Hernandez (12-1-1) 2. Nino Flores (9-5-0) 3. Arnel Ogalesco (8-5-1) 4. Paquito Suringa, Jr. (7-8-1) 5. Andres Mestizo II (5-7-2) 6. Jaime Guevarra (4-5-3) 7. Joel Flor (4-5-1) 8. Jomar Alerta (2-9-1) 9. Robert Tubice (0-4-0)

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

The 2009 Palau National Chess Championship are sponsored by PALIBHASA group of Bobby and Ogie Pineda and Jun dela Cruz ($60.00 cash prize) and by Bhoey Gopez of Island Logistics, Lucio Bandibas of WCTC and by Ed Martinez of Print Zone.

Mr. Gopez will go to Philippines for training on Nov. 20 to December 09. He will bring their sponsored 5 trophies when he returns.


Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
            Tia Belau Newspaper
            Pages 13 & 15
            Volume 18
            Issue 46
            November 16-22, 2009