Everybody in this photo got or improved their ratings. From left, CM Bernardo Garcia (1722 from 1673), Baby Edna Mission (1535), Jon Manuel Reyes (hidden) (1520), Destiny Sisior (1490), Angelil Sisior (1406), Mary Frances Lopez (1356), Angie Parrado (1673 from 1551), Jeff Balbalosa (1628 from 1540) and 2012 PNCC champ Tito Cabunagan (1842 from 1814). (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)
29 PALAU CHESS PLAYERS
LISTED AT www.fide.com
AFTER the smoke clears in the controversial 2012 Palau National Chess Championship, the cross-table of its results were finally sent by Palau’s Rating Officer Jamie Kenmure to World Chess Federation (FIDE) last month and it’s a very heartwarming development to Palau chess to know the following facts:
Of 29 participants of the 2012 PNCC, 14 newcomers/unrated players gained their international rankings with the top 3 finishers in the Class B division climbing to the top 10.
Palau’s top woman chess player Angie Parrado reached no. 8 by adding 122 rating points to her previous 1551 to current 1673! It’s the most of all 29 players. She finished 3rd in the Class B division.
Class B champ Dennis Gonzales moved a step higher (9th) in the local ranking by adding 71 points to his 1600 old rating followed by his runner-up Jeff Balbalosa, who gained the 2nd most points of 88. His current rating now is 1628 from the previous 1540.
A very good increase for Jeff who will participate in the 2013 Guam International Open Chess tournament in Feb. 15-21 together with Ksau Anthony Whipps and Joy Flores Whipps. Ksau’s initial local ranking is 24th at 1392.
Gonzalo Escapatoria slipped from 6th to 11th after losing 90 points and finished last in the Class A division. He is followed at no. 12 by newcomer Miguel Hilario, Jr., who’s got his new and initial rating of 1550.
At solo 13th is another woman and newcomer Baby Edna Mission (1535); tied at 14th with identical 1520 rating are Nilo de Jesus, Jaime dela Cruz and Jon Manuel Reyes.
For finishing 8th in the Class B division, surprising Destiny Sisior is at solo 17th spot with a 1490 rating. Just a point behind is Mohammad Manik Hossain, who lost 39 points. His previous rating is 1528.
One of the 5 players of Palau Royal Resort is newcomer Luciano "Bong" Sibayan, who gained his initial rating of 1462 followed by skidding Elpidio Manaligod at 1456 after losing 60 points.
At 21st is another PRR player who left Palau for good—Ferdinand Gutierrez, who lost 115 points and is now 1452 from his previous 1567. The biggest loser of rating points is Manuel Mahor, Jr., who lost 239 points! He’s now at 22nd spot from his previous best of 9th. His 1649 rating is now 1410.
Destiny’s sister Angelil is at solo 23rd with 1406, Ksau at 24thand tied at 25th with an identical rating of 1370 are Geoff Martin, Dan Roldan of PRR and Zachary Techall Whipps.
The last 2 slots belong to 28th placer Mary Frances Lopez, who’s gone to Philippines for good but still interested to be in the Palau women’s team to 2014 World Chess Olympiad in Tromso, Norway on August 01-14, 2014. Her initial rating is 1356.
Also interested to join the women’s team is the cellar dweller Paz Ngiratechekii, who had 1274. Her goal to have international rating has been achieved. It’s now time to improve by practicing and participating in all local tournaments in Palau.
There are no changes in the top 4 chess players of Palau with no. 1 Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. retaining his top position but lost 29 rating points. His previous 1943 is now 1914 while no. 2 Menandro Manuel lost 31 points from his old 1883 (now 1852). Roberto Hernandez lost 8 points and just 2 points shy of Manuel at 1850!
2012 PNCC champion Tito Cabunagan gained 28 points and now only 8 points shy of Hernandez’ rating. His previous 1814 is now 1842. The 3rd placer Jose Celiz gained the most points in Class A division – 104. His previous 1687 is now 1791, and just 51 points shy of Tito’s rating.
Paquito‘Pax’ Suringa, Jr. slid from 5th to 7th by losing 17 points (1734 formerly and now 1717) while Palau’s first titled player Candidate Master Bernardo Garcia gained 49 points to climb to 6th spot with current 1722 from the old 1673. He was 1663 during the 2012 World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey. He gained 10 points in Istanbul, gained 49 in 2012 PNCC and maybe some more points for participating in 2013 Oceania Zonal Chess Championship in Fiji in May, 2013.
Except for Celiz and Gonzales, the other 8 players in the top 10 are all committed members of Palau Chess Team to Tromso, Norway 2014 World Chess Olympiad with Montel at Board 1, Manuel at 2, Garcia at 3 and Cabunagan at 4. Roberto is reserve so that he can attend the arbiters/trainers seminar while Balbalosa will captain the women’s team and Suringa will replace anybody who will not make it.
The women’s team will headed by Angie at Board 1, Mission at 2, Lopez at 3, Joy Flores Whipps at 4. Reserve is Elizabeth Manuel while Paz Ngiratechekii will replace anybody who will not make it.
There is also a possibility of Sisior sisters making it to the women’s team or Ksau to men’s team and Eric Ksau Whipps as Head of Delegation if Senator Mlib Tmechtul is not available on Aug. 01-14, 2014.
Solution to last week’s puzzle: 1. Ne5+! Nxe5 2. Be8+ Kf8 3. Bh5 mate.
This week’s puzzle: White to move and mates in 3 (Solution next issue)
Source:
Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Pages 8-9
Volume 22
Issue 10
February 04, 2013
No comments:
Post a Comment