(374) Jeff, Ksau & Joy Flores Whipps to Represent Palau in 2013 Guam Int'l. Open Chess Tilt

(This is not the featured photo)

GUAM BOUND, TOO

While Tito Cabunagan, left, playing against Menandro Manuel in the 2012 PNCC, Joy Flores Whipps at the back, and her son Ksau Anthony Whipps are biding their time while waiting. The mother and son duo will represent Palau together with Jeff Balbalosa, left - in this photo, in a world's chess open tournament in Guam. Paquito Suringa, Jr., 2nd from right, Tito and Menandro are members of Palau Chess Team to 2014 World Chess Olympiad in Norway.

(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

JEFF, KSAU AND JOY FLORES WHIPPS TO REPRESENT PALAU

IN GUAM OPEN CHESS TILT

FOR THE first time in Palau chess history, 3 players will participate in the inaugural 2013 Guam World’s Chess Open to be held from Feb. 15-20, 2013 in Tumon, Guam.

The following is the letter of invitation from Leon R. Ryan, President of Guam Echecs (Island Chess, 2010, FIDE Zone 3.6):

January 14, 2013 Mr. Jeffrey D. Balbalosa / Mr. Ksau Anthony Whipps/ Ms. Joy Flores Whipps

c/o Roberto A. Hernandez Palau Chess Federation P. O. Box 1662 Koror, Republic of Palau 96940

Subject: Invitation 2013 Guam World’s Chess Open February 15 to 20, Tumon, Guam

Dear All,

This is an official invitation from the Guam Echecs, a FIDE member chess organization, to participate and represent Palau and the Palau Chess Federation to our next world’s open chess tournament.

We are very glad that you have already registered for the tournament and your hotel accommodation is already secured at the Capital Bay Hotel, which is only a walking distance to the competition venue, Bayview Hotel.

Several FIDE member countries were invited to send their players. Opening ceremony for our guests is already set on February 15, 2013, from six o’clock until midnight at the Kahida Ballroom of the Guam Plaza Hotel.

Accepting our invitation will be most cherished as your presence will bring significant community interest in promoting chess on the island.

I trust that this letter will help you facilitate obtaining a travel visa to Guam, a United States territory.

Very truly yours, Leon R. Ryan, President, Guam Echecs (Island Chess, 2010, FIDE Zone 3.6)

+1 (671) 788-1631 mobile +1 (671) 475-8587 work +1 (671) 637-4203 home

Confirmed participants are: International Master (IM) Jacek Stopa (Poland), FIDE Master (FM) Christopher Briscoe (England), FM Brian Jones (Australia- and 3 others below 2000), 5 from South Korea (2 below 2000 and 3 unrated), 3 from Palau (Jeff Balbalosa (1540), 2 unrated –woman Joy Flores Whipps and 11-year old Ksau Anthony Whipps, players from Philippines, Vietnam and Papua New Guinea have yet to be confirmed, 15 more local players from Guam (13 FIDE rated below 2000 several unrated, 1 or 2 women).

The same invitation was given to Mary Frances Lopez, which was signed by Mr. Leon Ryan. It’s dated Nov. 27, 2012 and addressed to Mary Frances Lopez c/o Roberto Hernandez Palau Chess Federation P. O. Box 1662 Koror, Republic of Palau 96940.

But Mary has gone for good to Philippines. She said to Hernandez during the 2012 PNCC that even if she’s in Philippines, she is still interested to be a member of Palau Women’s Team to Tromso, Norway in the 2014 World Chess Olympiad from August 01-14, 2014.







Source:
Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Pages 8-9
Volume 22
Issue 06
January 21, 2013