(423) Federation Is Sued; Kirsan Claims More Support

OFFICIAL HOTEL OF 2009 OCEANIA ZONALS
Palau lone representative to the Oceania Zonal Chess Championship in Australia last year Roberto Hernandez, had a photo taken at the terrace by Joselito Marcos of Papua New Guinea. The view is overlooking the Gold Coast Airport where Pacificflier (Palau) is flying the Australian route. The hotel is Outrigger Twin Towns Resort at Tweed Heads, Gold Coast on the Queensland/NSW border. Hernandez is wearing the campaign shirt with Kirsan Ilyumzhinov photo (2006 WCO in Torino, Italy). It was given to him by former FIDE President Florencio Campomanes during his visit to Palau in May 11-14, 2006.
(Photo by Joselito Marcos)

                            FEDERATION IS SUED;
                 KIRSAN CLAIMS MORE SUPPORT

SEVERAL national federations and the presidential campaign of former world chess champion Anatoly Karpov filed a lawsuit against the World Chess Federation on Thursday, July 08, 2010 in the court of arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The lawsuit, which was filed by White & Case, a Manhattan firm, is seeking to have the ticket of Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, the incumbent who is running for re-election, disqualified.

The lawsuit, which includes the chess federations of the United States, France, Germany, Switzerland and Ukraine as plaintiffs, challenges the legitimacy of Ilyumzhinov's nominations by Russia, Argentina and Mexico.

It also questions the nominations of Beatriz Marinello for vice president on Kirsan's slate. As each candidate is required to have a state to fill each major office in the federation, and to have one least one candidate to be a woman, Karpov is trying to invalidate Kirsan's candidacy by eliminating Marinello from the ticket.

The question of which candidate Russia is supporting has been a point of bitter contention throughout the election. Both candidates are Russian and the rules of the federation, which is also known by the acronym FIDE (for Federation Internationale des Echecs), stat that a candidate for office must either have the nomination of his or her home country, or of a federation of which the candidate has been a member for a least a year.

Karpov, who also has the nominations of France, Germany and Switzerland, claims that a vote by majority of the Russian Chess Federation on May 14 to endorse him was legitimate and that he therefore is the Russian nominee.

After that vote, Arkady Dvorkovich, the chairman of the board of supervisors of the federation, and a high-ranking Kremlin official, took control of the federation and decreed that the vote was invalid.

In a meeting on June 28, a quorum of members of the federation voted to give Dvorkovich sole authority to act on the federation's behalf until a new meeting can be called in October--after the FIDE elections.

Dvorkovich then reaffirmed an earlier letter he sent to FIDE in April endorsing Kirsan as president.

The lawsuit seeks to reaffirm the May 14 vote. It also seeks to show that Kirsan has not been a member of the Argentinian and Mexican federations for long enough to be nominated by them.

The parties of the lawsuit say that the federation has not turned over documents showing proof of his membership, despite repeated requests.

With regard to Marinello, who was born in Chile but has lived in the United States for 20 years, the lawsuit claims that her nominations by Chile and Brazil are not legitimate as she is not a member of either federation.

That is not true, Marinello said in a telephone interview. She said that she has dual citizenship with Chile, travels there often because her family still lives there, and still conducts chess seminars there.

As for Brazil, she said that she had played chess for a league there for many years.

"My ties with Chile and Brazil are much stronger that Karpov's ties with France and Germany," she said.

The Ilyumzhinov campaign now says that it has the support of 64 federations, although at least a couple of those--Honduras and Russia-- are claimed by both campaigns.

Karpov campaign lists 23 countries as supporters. The federation has about 170 members with each having one vote.

It is in the interest of both campaigns to appear to be wrapping up enough votes to win the election, as front-runner status may attract more potential voters who might be afraid of being shut out from money and support if they back the loser.

Of course, pledge support is just until the votes are counted. The election is this September at the Chess Olympiad in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia.

The FIDE election for 2010 may not take place as planned. Courts actions have intervened. Kirsan, who leads one of two election tickets, began legal proceedings when it was announced that a suit for slander would be brough against Karpov, who is the leader of presidential candidate of the other ticket. It was alleged that Karpov wrongly accused the FIDE leadership of corruption.


Solution to last week's puzzle: 1. h4+ Kh5 2. Rf5+!! gxf5 3. Bf7 mate.

This week's puzzle: White to move and mates in 3 (Solution next issue)


Source:
Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Page 12-13
Volume 19
Issue 33
August 16-22, 2010

(422) MINGLING WITH THE WORLD'S TOP CHESS PLAYERS

A MOMENT WITH GRANDMASTER ALEXIE SHIROV
Prior before his game, I talked to GM Alexie Shirov, now playing for Latvia, about his simul in Australia in 2009 where Daniel Lapitan was the only player that drew with him. I can't find anybody to take this picture so I take it myself. A smile elicit from GM Shirov when I did that. (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)



MINGLING WITH THE WORLD'S
TOP CHESS PLAYERS

PLAYING in the World Chess Olympiad is an unforgettable experience. Where can you find a greater place to mingle with the world’s best chess players? It’s only in the Olympiad. Where can you have 15 or 16 days of free full accommodation while enjoying the host country’s hospitality and historical places to visit? It’s only in the Olympiad. There are lots more reasons to it that’s why if given an opportunity or chance, grab it and be firm on your decision.

Palau finally participated in its first World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey on Aug. 27-Sept. 10, 2012. Although they are short of a player because of separate reasons from Tito Cabunagan and Mohammad Manik Hossain, Palau still completed the 4 boards with Roberto Hernandez at Board 1, Elizabeth Manuel at Board 2, Bernardo Garcia at Board 3 and Menandro Manuel at Board 4.

After each and every game in the Istanbul Olympiad, I make it sure that I take pictures of the top 10 boards that are still playing. It means 20 top countries in the standings fighting it off for honor to their countries.

Usually, the top players sit on their tables with just a few minutes before the games start. I’m lucky to have a picture with super Grandmaster Alexie Shirov, who played for Spain for many years and now playing for Latvia. I don’t have anybody to take a picture of us so I took it myself after giving him my card and talk to him about his simultaneous exhibition games in Australia in 2009.

In that exhibition games, he played 16 players at the same time and only the 10-year-old Daniel Lapitan was able to draw with him. GM Shirov remembers that and I told him that Daniel and his family became my friends when I participated in the 2009 Oceania Zonal Chess Championship in Australia.

I was able to talk to International Master of Philippines Oliver Dimakiling after he quickly lost his game at Board 4 against GM Gabriel Sargissian from eventual champion Armenia. He said he miscalculated the complex position of his game, which became his last game as reserve in that Olympiad.

There is an agreement between players and team captain of the Philippine team that whoever loses his first game, he will be replaced. Asia’s first Grandmaster Eugene Torre then became the Board 3 player and GM Mark Paragua replaced IM Dimakiling and since then, the Philippine team, 35^th seed, scored successive victories or draws to higher rated opponents.

In Round 6, the Philippines defeated Bulgaria with Wesley So, Paragua and Torre securing draws and Oliver Barbosa delivered the winning margin by clobbering GM Kiril Georgiev in 59 moves.

Notable draw was achieved against 4^thseeded Hungary in Round 7 with Wesley So and Peter Leko played a wild line of the Marshall Attack, but the game ended in a draw. Zoltan Almasi took his team to the lead with a win over Oliver Barbosa, but the legendary Eugene Torre, first Asian Grandmaster and record holder of 21 appearances in the Olympiads, escaped from a passive position to pull off a victory against Ferenc Berkes and equalize the score. (Palau’s Delegate Jan Berglund has claimed he’s got 22 appearances in the Olympiads but not as a player like Eugene but as captain/coach/Delegate or journalist).

In Round 8—ELO doesn’t really play a game in chess, as repeatedly proven by Philippines, who soundly beat the strong team of England by 3-1. Barbosa whipped Gawain Jones in 102 moves while the legendary Torre outsmarted Nigel Short. I remember Eugene said after losing to Short in the Candidates Matches in the ‘80’s: “I’ll never get short of Nigel Short again.”SWEET REVENGE!

Menandro Manuel, left, Board 4 of Palau, watches the England-Philippines match with GM Wesley So vs. GM Michael Adams and GM Oliver Barbosa vs. GM Gawain Jones. (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

China ends the winning streak of the Philippines in Round 9 by winning on boards 2, 3 and 4. Only So salvaged a draw to avert a shutout. Still in the top 10 tables, the Philippines drew with Vietnam in the penultimate round and lost to Romania in the final round to finish 21^st. In 2010 World Chess Olympiad in Russia, the Philippine team finished 50^th. Their best place finished is 7^th at the 1988 Thessaloniki, Greece World Chess Olympiad and 11^thin the 1974 World Chess Olympiad in Nice, France where Torre got his final GM norm to become Asia’s first GM.

Russia’s first match loss in an Olympiad was dealt to them by a strong USA team in the 9^thround of Istanbul Olympiad. I’m there watching how USA top player Hikaru Nakamura defeated former world champion Vladimir Kramnik. Before making his 40^thmove (Rxe7), he will look up, stand up, talk to himself in silence, pretending to hold the piece to make a move, close his eyes for a few seconds, and all the other legal antics that you can think of. Most of the time, he’s watching other games if it’s his opponent’s turn to move. He spends more time standing/walking than sitting!

In the final round, Nakamura suffered his first loss to Poland’s Radoslaw Wojtaszek, who is the second/assistant of current world champion Viswanathan Anand for a long time.

World’s no. 4 Teimour Radjabov of Azerbaijan spends a long time before sacrificing his knight against a Grandmaster. He looks at the crowd, stand up, close his eyes, looked up staring blank, make it sure that the crowd will see him making the sacrifice. He moves while standing and authoritatively checked his opponent’s king. That move produces a whole point for him and Azerbaijan, who will host the 2016 World Chess Olympiad in Baku, the birthplace of former world champion Gary Kasparov.

Radjabov’s laptop was stolen in his hotel room while he is participating in a tournament in Europe and had to withdraw from the tournament because his preparations for the event are all in his laptop.

I was able to talk also to former Oceania Zone President Gary Bekker, who shouldered my airfare in 2009 so that I can participate in that Oceania Zonal Chess Championship in Australia. He said he is very glad that Palau finally sent a whole team to the Olympiad. He added that my position being at Board 1 had a very heavy responsibility because I’m facing the strongest players every time in every game so he understands my 3 wins, 1 draw and 7 losses record.

After the Istanbul Olympiad, chess is now booming in Palau. The ongoing 2012 Palau National Chess Championship exceeded all expectations in terms of junior and women participants. The Class A is for the top 8 of Palau in a double round-robin format.

The Class B or 1650 rating and lower has 21 participants with 4 more waiting in the line. They can’t be accommodated because of shortness of rated players in that division. Next year, Palau can have a separate tournament for kids 15 years and below, Class A, Class B and women.

The Palau Chess Team for 2014 World Chess Olympiad is already filled in the Open (Men’s)—Board 1 Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr., Board 2 Menandro Manuel, Board 3 CM Bernardo Garcia, Board 4 Tito Cabunagan, reserve Roberto Hernandez, Jeff Balbalosa and Paquito Suringa, Jr. The head of Delegation is Senator Mlib Tmechtul, the men’s team captain is Australian Jamie Kenmure and Delegate is Jan Berglund of Sweden. The almost complete line-up of women’s team is Board 1 Angie Parrado, Board 2 Mary Frances Lopez, Board 3 Bheng Codinera Mendoza (her real name is Baby Edna Mission as written in her passport), Board 4 Elizabeth Manuel, reserve Paz Ngiratechekii or Angelil Sisior. Suringa or Balbalosa can be their team captain defending on the availability of the positions. Mohammad Manik Hossain also confirmed his inclusion to the 2014 team but his hesitations in Istanbul Olympiad caused his slot to be taken by more committed and higher rated players.

MOVING FORWARD –CHESS IN PALAU!

Source: Smile and Say Chess by Roberto Hernandez

The International Filipino Magazine

November 2012 Issue

(421) NEDIC SWEEPS MANUEL, GRABS LEAD (TBN-June 16-23, 2006)

SIXTH seed Manny Nedic dealt top seed Menandro Manuel his 4th loss of the tournament in the 13th round of 2006 Palau National Chess Championship held on Sunday, June 11 at Jean's Boutique and Store premises.

The $100.00 brilliancy prize and 6 trophies are donation from Pinoy Express Remittance through its manager, Manny Kimpo.

Nedic employed the Queen's Gambit Accepted, Manuel's pet defence, to prevail in 35 moves of exciting and intructional chess.

Earlier in the afternoon, Manuel lost to 2nd seed Jose Omega in a 20-minute time control to accomodate Omega's schedule.

Fourth seed Roberto Hernandez toppled Omega in 81 moves of Sicilian Defence (Dragon Variation).

He also trounced Francis 'Sno' Temaungil in just 23 moves of Pirc Defence.

OTHER RESULTS WERE ALL DEFAULTS LOSSES FOR JIMMY VALENZUELA TO Temaungil, Jess Toldoya, Morton Sawaichi and Nedic.

In a 6-player blitz chess tourney, Manuel bagged another title with a perfect 10-0-0 win-loss-draw record.

Nedic placed 2nd with 6-3-1 followed by Hernandez (5-5-0), Cyril Montel, Jr. (3-6-1), comebacking Joel Azana (3-7-0) and Gene Pastrana (2-8-0).


Source:
Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
June 16-23, 2006

(420) FIVE-PLAYER AFFAIR (TBN-June 02-09, 2006)

THREE-time champ Menandro Manuel grabbed the lead from struggling erstwhile leader Edwin Eti in the 11th round of National Chess Championship held Sunday, May 28 at Jean's Boutique and Store premises.

Trophies and $100.00 brilliancy prize are donation from Pinoy Express Remittance through Manny Kimpo.
(Kimpo said to Roberto Hernandez earlier that he sponsored $1,000.00 cash for a basketball tournament in Palau and his name was not even mentioned in the newspaper. And now, he's sponsoring $100.00 and 6 trophies and his name, his company's name, his wife and son, and friends are being featured in this column every week.)

Manuel's precise endgame technique and patience bear fruit when Eti blundered away his rook after more than 60 moves of Queen's Pawn Game.

Eti lost his 2nd game of the day to 4th seed Roberto Hernandez in 32 moves of Modern Defence.

From the 16th to 24th move, Hernandez thwarted the insufficient attack of Eti and held on to his advantage. As he was about to win another piece, Eti resigned.

Manuel also won his 2nd game of the 2nd round against Palauan bet Morton Sawaichi in 34 moves of another Queen's Pawn Game.

They realized later that Sawaichi should be handling the white pieces. Manuel is gentleman enough to give Sawaichi a rematch next week.

Manny Nedic is now is solo 3rd spot after scoring a hard-fought and lucky victory over Dennis Gonzales in 62 moves of Slav Defence.

Nedic was in extreme time pressure and passive position but Gonzales' endgame prowess is not good enough to force a win.

And in the last game of the day, Hernandez nipped Sawaichi in 26 moves of Sicilian Defence.

CURRENT STANDINGS OF PLAYERS AND THEIR WIN-LOSS-DRAW SLATE:
1. Manuel (9-2-0) 2. Eti (7-2-2) 3. Nedic (7-2-1) 4. Cyril Montel, Jr. (6-1-1) 5. Hernandez (5-6-1) 6. Jess Toldoya (4-1-1) 7. Jimmy Valenzuela (4-4-0) 8. Gonzales (3-6-0) 9. Sawaichi (3-7-0) 10. Jose Omega (2-6-0) 11. Gene Pastrana (1-9-1) 12. Francis Temaungil (0-4-0).


Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Page 13
June 02-09, 2006

(419) MANUEL SEIZES LEAD (TBN-June 02-09, 2006)

THREE-time champ Menandro Manuel grabbed the lead from struggling erstwhile leader Edwin Eti in the 11th round of National Chess Championship held Sunday, May 28 at Jean's Boutique and Store premises.

Trophies and $100.00 brilliancy prize are donation from Pinoy Express Remittance through Manny Kimpo.
(Kimpo said to Roberto Hernandez earlier that he sponsored $1,000.00 cash for a basketball tournament in Palau and his name was not even mentioned in the newspaper. And now, he's sponsoring $100.00 and 6 trophies and his name, his company's name, his wife and son, and friends are being featured in this column every week.)

Manuel's precise endgame technique and patience bear fruit when Eti blundered away his rook after more than 60 moves of Queen's Pawn Game.

Eti lost his 2nd game of the day to 4th seed Roberto Hernandez in 32 moves of Modern Defence.

From the 16th to 24th move, Hernandez thwarted the insufficient attack of Eti and held on to his advantage. As he was about to win another piece, Eti resigned.

Manuel also won his 2nd game of the 2nd round against Palauan bet Morton Sawaichi in 34 moves of another Queen's Pawn Game.

They realized later that Sawaichi should be handling the white pieces. Manuel is gentleman enough to give Sawaichi a rematch next week.

Manny Nedic is now is solo 3rd spot after scoring a hard-fought and lucky victory over Dennis Gonzales in 62 moves of Slav Defence.

Nedic was in extreme time pressure and passive position but Gonzales' endgame prowess is not good enough to force a win.

And in the last game of the day, Hernandez nipped Sawaichi in 26 moves of Sicilian Defence.

CURRENT STANDINGS OF PLAYERS AND THEIR WIN-LOSS-DRAW SLATE:
1. Manuel (9-2-0) 2. Eti (7-2-2) 3. Nedic (7-2-1) 4. Cyril Montel, Jr. (6-1-1) 5. Hernandez (5-6-1) 6. Jess Toldoya (4-1-1) 7. Jimmy Valenzuela (4-4-0) 8. Gonzales (3-6-0) 9. Sawaichi (3-7-0) 10. Jose Omega (2-6-0) 11. Gene Pastrana (1-9-1) 12. Francis Temaungil (0-4-0).


Source:
Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Page 13
June 02-09, 2006

(418) CYRIL'S 1ST LOSS, 2ND BLITZ TITLE (TBN-May 26-June 02, 2006)

THIRD seed and previously unbeaten Cyril Montel, Jr. suffered his first loss of the tilt in the 9th round of National Chess championship held Sunday, May 21 at Jean's Boutique and Store premises.

The trophies and $100.00 brilliancy cash prizes are donation by Pinoy Express Remittance through its manager, Manny Kimpo.

Top seed Menandro Manuel was patient with his exchange advantage to win after more than 60 moves of Queen's Pawn Opening.

Earlier, Montel, Jr. drubbed 2nd seed Jose Omega in 40 moves of Sicilian Defence.

Omega was beaten twice by Manny Nedic in 26 moves of Modern Benoni Defence and in 34 moves of Sicilian.

Nedic accepted the draw offer of Edwin Eti after 27 moves of Dutch Defence.

In a 6-player blitz chess tilt, Montel, Jr. bagged his 2nd blitz title with a 7-3-0 win-loss-draw slate.

The other players were Edwin Eti (5-3-2), Roberto Hernandez (5-3-2), Manuel (5-4-1), Gene Pastrana (1-4-5) and Nedic (1-7-2).

A TOTAL OF 72 PLAYERS WERE LISTED IN THE AMBASSADOR'S CUP RAPID CHESS TOURNAMENT THAT WILL BE DIVIDED INTO 4 GROUPS:

1. Rated (32 players) 2. Unrated (16) 3. Juniors (19) and women (5).

Calling the attention of the following players if they are interested to participate in the biggest tournament in Palau with the biggest cash prize at stake through the courtesy of Philippine Ambassador Ramoncito Marino:

Rated: Jerry Sermeno, Jimboy de Jesus, Felix Lapitan, Mike Miguel, Jr., Danny Dandoy, Mario Ramos, Tutii Joe Chilton, Allen Kangichi, Ben Ramos, Glen Navarosa, Vincent Vergara, Lemuel Bacor, Jun Mahor, Norbert Villanueva, Genaro Manlaya, Kelvin dela Paz, Rolando Funa, Eric Espartero, Wilson Milambiling, William Blasquino, Amante Caballero.

UNDRATED (Beginners): Em-R de Vera, Pastor Fontanilla, Flavin Andres, Joeven delos Santos, John Pastrana, Rogelio Menor, Roland Tangelbad, Kris Ramos, Ricky Cabarubias.

JUNIORS: Jayrome Soriano, Ricky Camacho, IB Misech, Jovani Adachi, Dmitri Villanueva, MJ Ngiratechekii, Kelvin Cuenco, Tommy Tutii, Omkar Tangelbad, John Page, Liam Bornovski, Chris Domingo, Georby Domingo.

WOMEN: Remy Mingo, Michelle Ramos.

The format and the cash prize amount for each group will be published in the next issue.



Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
May 26-June 02, 2006

(417) MUSIC AND ME (March 28, 2013) Rin Kita is back after 2 years)

VERY NICE TO MEET RIN KITA AGAIN
If a simple letter/card can be treasured and cherished, what more with this picture with a beautiful girl that wrote me a lovely note, although in Japanese character, to touch the hearts of many including PRR GM Isao Takahashi, who kept that note/letter for more than a year! (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)



     RIN KITA IS BACK AFTER 2 YEARS

TWO weeks before going to Istanbul for 2012 World Chess Olympiad, the 56^th issue of Tia Belau was published with Music and Me story of “A Letter From A 5-year-old Japanese Girl”.

The first line of that story is “While playing piano at Waves Restaurant on Sunday, March 20, 2011, a 5-year-old girl is watching me play.”

Exactly 2 years and 1 day (March 21, 2013), that Japanese girl is watching me play again. After finishing the song that I’m playing, I gave her my card and asked her name. She said her name but I misheard it as “Kin Jita”.

Then I played some Japanese songs and she sung some parts where she knows in soft voice. Then I showed her my scrap book with photos and print copy of some Music and Me issues with black and white photos.

My instinct ‘commanded’ me to go to the last part of the book where the letter/card of Rin Kita was posted. Then I said, “This is written and made by Rin Kita. Are you Rin Kita?” When she nodded, that’s the time that I’m sure now that she is really her 2 years ago.

When I mentioned to her that she is the one that make and draw the hearts, grapes and flags of Palau and Japan in there, she is almost in tears.

She can’t believe that a simple note, letter and drawing like that will be treasured and cherished by someone. I asked her, “Where is your mom?” And I said, go ahead and bring the book and show it to her.

When they come to me, we have pictures taken –one in their camera and one in my cell phone’s camera. It’s my day off the next day (Friday) but on Saturday, they come again to have dinner near the piano.

When I played “Oribia O Kikinagara”, Rin Kita sang on some parts that she knows. Her mom can sing all the last parts of the song.

We talked for a while about their stay in Palau 2 years ago. It’s their 3^rdtime now in Palau. Rin Kita is 6 years old, not 5 as I have written. She’s 8 years old now and very beautiful.

I read to them the contents of “A Letter From A 5-year-old Japanese Girl”—about the accident when Rin Kita accidentally drop a glass and some broken glass hit her leg; about the letter/card and how our GM Isao Takahashi translated it to me.

I asked them also to check the website http://palau-chess.blogspot.comwhere I will feature Rin Kita again. She was featured (without picture) in Music and Me issue 56 (Aug. 16, 2012) and no. 280^th post in that website. I posted it on August 18, 2012—a week before my trip to Istanbul.

Source:
Music and Me by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Pages 9 and 11
Volume 22
Issue 25
March 28, 2013

(416) ANGIE SWEPT BY GLADYS; BHENG SWEPT BY ANGIE (TBN-March 25, 2013)

CHANGING OF THE GUARDS?
Angie Parrado, left, has been Palau's top woman chess player for a while. When he was swept by Gladys Paloma, right, in the 3rd week of 2013 Palau Rapid Chess tournament, there might be a changing of the guards in Palau women's chess. (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)




        ANGIE SWEPT BY GLADYS;
        BHENG SWEPT BY ANGIE

IN SPITE of being swept by Gladys Paloma in the 3^rd week of 2013 Rapid Chess tournament, top women’s seed Angie Parrado still leads the tourney with a 3-2 win-loss slate after sweeping in return Baby Edna “Bheng” Mission in the 4^th week of the tilt.

Mission now has an even 2-2 card. Her 2 victories were from the 2 beginners –66-year-old Paz Ngiratechekii and Lilibeth Cabunagan.

No junior player arrived in the 3^rd and 4^th week except Cyrelle Ann Montel. He was taught by Roberto Hernandez some endgame fundamentals on how to win with a pawn and a king against a lone king.

The other 2 matches of the 4^th week are between Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. vs. Remrel Dizon and the exciting Tito Cabunagan vs. Dennis Gonzales match where the latter almost upset the Group B top seed had he promoted his h pawn.

Tito prevailed and scored his 5^th straight victory while Cyril easily subdued Dizon.

STANDINGS AFTER 4^TH WEEK OF 2013 RAPID CHESS TOURNAMENT AND THEIR WIN-LOSS-DRAW RECORD:

GROUP A—1. Roberto Hernandez (4-0-0) 2. Rafael Paloma (2-1-0) 3. Paquito Suringa, Jr. (2-1-0) 4. Jeff Balbalosa (2- 2-0) 5. Miguel Hilario, Jr. (1-2-0) 6. Glen Navarosa (0-5-0) 7. Michael Jordan Ngiratechekii

GROUP B – 1. Tito Cabunagan (5-0-0) 2. Mohammad Manik Hossain (3-1-1) 3. Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. (2-1-1) 4. Dennis Gonzales (1-1-0) 5. Jose Celiz (0-2-0) 6. Eugene Labarda (0-2-0) 7. Eric Ksau Whipps (0-2-0) 8. Remrel Dizon (0-2-0) 9. Jon Manuel Reyes (0-0-0).

WOMEN—1. Angie Parrado (3-2-0) 2. Gladyz Paloma (2-0-0) 3. Baby Edna Mission (2-2-0) 4. Joy Flores Whipps (1-0-0) 5. Paz Ngiratechekii (0-2-1) 6. Lilibeth Cabunagan (0-2-1) 7. Leizl Michael (0-0-0).

JUNIOR – 1. Cyrelle Ann Montel (2-0-0) 2. Ksau Anthony Whipps (0-1-0) 3. Angelil Sisior (0-1-0) 4. George Anzawa (0-0-0) 5. Destiny Sisior (0-0-0) 6. Zachery Techall Whipps (0-0-0).

In the latest FIDE ratings for March, 40 chess players from Palau are listed at www.fide.com The other 5 who are listed but without ratings are Elizalde Madrinan, Joy Flores Whipps, Jerry Sermeno, Ann Acebron and Elizabeth Manuel.

Meanwhile, Philippines’ top chess player GM Wesley So became the first Filipino to teach the elite 2700 FIDE rating with 2701, a point ahead of Latvia’s Alexie Shirov.

GM So is now no. 50 of the top 100 chess players of the world after his undefeated campaign in January and February of this year.

Source:
Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Pages 8 &11
Volume 22
Issue 24
March 25, 2013

(415) VALENZUELA STOPS ETI

UNBEATEN NO MORE BUT WON 2 BLITZ TITLE IN A ROW
Edwin Eti, right, receives his certificate of appreciation for participating in the 2005 Rapid Chess tournament from Roberto Hernandez, Chairman of Knights and Rooks Chess Club. Eti won the 1st runner-up plum and is now the solo leader of National Chess Championship. He recently won the last 2 editions of blitz chess competition. (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

FIFTH seed Jimmy Valenzuela dealt Edwin Eti his first loss of the tournament in the 7th round of National Chess Championship held Sunday, April 30 at Jean's Boutique and Store premises.

Mr. Manny Kimpo of Pinoy Express Remittance (Palau) is the sponsor of 6 trophies and $100.00 brilliancy prize.

Valenzuela won the exchange, a bishop for a rook, on the 18th move and held on to his advantage until the endgame where he penetrated the 7th rank with his rooks instead of gobbling up Eti's pawns.

Valenzuela set up a tricky attack on the b pawn and after Eti defended the pawn with his rook, Valenzuela mated him and Eti's march to the championship was halted in 38 moves of Sicilian Defence.

Earlier in the afternoon, Valenzuela lost to 4th seed Roberto Hernandez in 31 moves of Danish Gambit.

Valenzuela deviated from the usual book line moves and resigned after his king and rook was forked by Hernandez' knight.

Palaun bet Morton Sawaichi collected his 3rd win in more than 80 moves of Queen's Pawn Game.

Valenzuela stopped writing his moves when he lost his queen but were able to have Sawaichi squeeze out every inch of his strategy and tactics to convert a drawn endgame into a win.

Sawaichi stopped annotating the game on the 60th move to concentrate more on the game.

The crowd congratulated him for his first ever win over Valenzuela in 6 tournament games. His best result against him was a draw in the final round of 2005 Open Chess tournament.

Top seed Menandro Manuel was also defeated by 6th seed Manny Nedic in 64 moves of Sicilian Defence. Nedic was in his top form and put Manuel on the defensive most of the time. He won 2 minor pieces in the middlegame. He gave back one in exchange for 2 pawns and a won endgame.

Manue should have resigned 20 moves earlier but opted to resume play hoping that Manny will make a blunder.

Nedic scored another point over winless and venue host Gene Pastrana in 24 moves of Sicilian Defence.

Pastrana bounced back from defeat and trounced the other Palauan bet Francis 'Sno' Temaungil in 32 moves of Sicilian Defence.

Temaungil lost his 3rd straight to Jess Toldoya in 25 moves of another Sicilian Defence.

Toldoya informed the players that former World Chess Federation (FIDE) President Florencio Campomanes will come to Palau on May 11 and will stay at Palau Royal Resort for 4 days.

He will cooordinate with the officers of Palau Chess Federation and Knights and Rooks Chess Club on how chess is doing in Palau.

He also emailed Hernandez about Palau's participation in the Torino, Italy World Chess Olympiad this month.

Election of FIDE President and Oceania Zone President will coincide with the Olympiad.

Gary Bekker, the Oceania Zone President, is running for re-election.

PCF would like to know if they can to know if they can vote through email even without representative to the Olympiad.

Campomanes might know the answer to this as he is pushing for Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, the incumbent FIDE President, for re-election.

He made a long distance call to Hernandez and even played 2 sets of tennis game with Gary Bekker in which Campomanes won both sets to the surprise of Bekker because Campomanes is very old and still beaten him.

Eti won the 7-player blitz chess tourney held after the Nedic vs. Manuel match.

THE PLAYERS AND THEIR WIN-LOSS-DRAW RECORD WERE 1. Eti (8-1-3) 2. Manuel (7-3-2) 3. Hernandez (6-4-2) 4. Cyril Montel, Jr. (5-7-0) 5. Nedic (4-6-2) 6. Pastrana (3-4-5) and Valenzuela (1-9-2).

The last game between Hernandez and Eti was not played because it has no bearing game.

SOME INTERESTING NOTES ABOUT THE TILT:
Eti's only loss was from Manuel, who was swept by Hernandez; Pastrana committed 2 illegal moves against his 2 games with Hernandez. The first one cost him half point in a winning position.

Valenzuela's only victory in 12 games was against Hernandez.



Solution to last week's puzzle: 1. Rd6+!! Kxd6 2. e5+ Kc6 3. d5 mate.

Source:
Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
May 05-12, 2006

(414) WHO WILL STOP ETI?

STILL UNBEATEN
Cyril Montel, Jr., center, ponders his move against Palauan bet Morton Sawaichi in the early round of 2006 Palau National Chess Championship. Montel, Jr. is still unbeaten in 5 games and currently in 3rd place and expected to deal the frontrunner and also undefeated Edwin Eti his first loss of the tournament. Watching their game is Jess Toldoya, who had an even one win, one loss and one draw record.
(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

FRONTRUNNER Edwin Eti scored two more convincing victories to keep the lead in the 6th round of National Chess Championship held on Sunday April 23 at Jean's Boutique and Store premises.

The generous donor of 6 trophies and $100.00 brilliancy prize is Mr. Manny Kimpo of Pinoy Express Remittance, Palau.

The 6th seed Eti nipped 2nd seed Jose Omega in the resumption of their adjourned game after another 34 moves of quality chess.

Omega deviated from a more dangerous 20. Kf8 and managed to keep his game close until his bishop was pinned by Eti's rook.

His other adjourned game against Dennis Gonzales was not played because he had to go to work at 4:30 pm.

Venue host Gene Pastrana ended his 6-game losing streak and managed to squeeze out a draw with 3rd seed Cyril Montel, Jr. in 52 moves of Caro-Kahn Defence.

His half point gained was short-lived as he lost another one to Eti in 53 moves of French Defence while Gonzales upset Roberto Hernandez in 51 moves of Sicilian Defence.

A weak move by Hernandez on the 16th move allowed Gonzales to hang on to his en prise piece and in endgame struggle he kept his extra piece handy to thwart the promotion of Hernandez' isolated pawns.

It's not a lucky day for Hernandez as he lost another close game to Manny Nedic in 49 moves of Modern Defence.

It was Hernandez' 6th loss and his chances of becoming Palau's first National Master looks dimmer.

Top seed Menandro Manuel bounced back from an upset loss last week to score 2 victories over Palauan bet Morton Sawaichi in 39 moves of Queen's Gambit Declined and over Gonzales in 29 moves of another Queen's Gambit Declined.

Fifth seed Jimmy Valenzuela won his only game of the day over Gonzales in just 21 moves of Siclian Defence.

Palau Chess Federation elected chairman Francis 'Sno' Temaungil missed competitive chess action and asked if he can still join the field.

He was allowed to play and lost to Sawaichi in 38 moves of Irregular Opening.

Temaungil is the chief arbiter of the event. With low turnout of participants, his position was not very much needed so he decided to compete in his 2nd tournament after the rapid chess tourney.

A 7-player blitz chess tournament was held after the regular games. The players were Montel, Jr., Eti, Hernandez, Manuel, Nedic, Gonzales and Pastrana.

It's just a single round-robin of 10-minute chess. Manuel and Eti drew their game while Hernandez won 4 and lost 1 before his final game against Nedic.

When Manuel suffered his 2nd loss, he's out of the race. Now it's between Eti and Hernandez (again!).

If Hernandez will win his last game against Nedic, Eti can't catch up with him. But he lost to Nedic and if Eti will lose to Montel, Jr., Hernandez will be the champ.

If Eti will draw his game, they will share the title and half of the cash prize.

Montel, Jr. was behind by a pawn. When he recovered it, he became over-confdent and blundered away his rook in a drawn pawns endgame.

Eti got another blitz title by a mere half point.

THE FINAL STANDINGS OF PLAYERS WITH THEIR WIN-LOSS-DRAW RECORD:

1. Eti (4-1-1) 2. Hernandez (4-2-0) 3. Manuel (3-2-1) 4. Montel, Jr. (3-3-0) 5. Nedic, Gonzales and Pastrana (2-4-0).

Solution to last week's puzzle: 1. Nc6+! bxc6 2. Qb3+ Bb4 3. Qxb4 mate.

(413) ETI UPSET TOP SEED

TOURNAMENT SPONSOR WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS
Manny Kimpo, standing 2nd from left, is the sponsor of 6 trophies and $100.00 brilliancy prize in the ongoing National Chess Championship. After having dinner and sing-along at Rose Garden Resort, they have a photo session with (from right sitting) Zeny Tan, Reggie Salazar, Lourdes Funa, Manny's wife, son JB and Roberto Hernandez, Chairman of Knights and Rooks Chess Club. It's interesting to note that all of them can sing a variety of songs. (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

Sixth seed Edwin Eti scalped another top seed to keep the lead in the 5th round of 2006 Palau National Chess Championship held on Easter Sunday, April 16 at Jean's Boutique and Store premises.

Manny Kimpo of Pinoy Express Reminttance, Palau sponsored trophies and $100.00 brilliancy prize.

Eti dealt top seed Menandro Manuel his first loss of the tournament in 25 moves of Queen's Gambit Declined.

The two protagonists spent a great deal of time in the opening trying to exploit the slimmest chance to seize the initiative.

Eti now has 5.5 points with one adjourned game against 2nd seed Jose Omega, who also adjourned his only game of the day with Dennis Gonzales in 17 moves of Sicilian Defence.

Fourth seed Roberto Hernandez bounced back from 0-4 start and scored 2 lucky victories to climb 4 steps higher in the standings.

He drubbed venue host Gene Pastrana in 33 moves of Modern Defence. Pastrana committed a dubious capture on the 25th move that allow Hernandez to equalize instead of being a whole rook down.

Pastrana resigned in frustration as the elusive first victory slipped from his hands.

In the last game of the day, Hernandez overcame an exchange and a pawn disadvantage to subdue former champion Jess Toldoya in 53 moves of Sicilian Defence (Najdorf Variation).

Toldoya put Hernandez on the defensive most of the duration of the game until he committed a blunder on the 31st move. With precise endgame maneuver and an active king, Hernandez managed to create a passed pawn.

Toldoya didn't anticipate Hernandez' 45th move and took him 20 minutes to response and was mated on the 53rd move of exciting chess watched by participants and expectators.

They analyzed the game and the conclusion was the over-confidence of Toldoya cost him the game.

Pastrana's elusive first win will have to wait till next week as he lost his 6th straight to Gonzales in 38 moves of another Sicilian Defence (Najdorf Variation).

Pastrana's last 4 remaining games in the first round are Manny Nedic, Eti, Toldoya and the other undefeated player Cyril Montel, Jr., who didn't play a regular game but participated in a 5-player blitz chess competition of double round-robin and 10 minutes time control for each player to finish the game.

The five players that participated in another blitz chess contest were Eti, Manuel, Hernandez, Montel, Jr. and Pastrana, who lost his first 7 matches before winning the last game over Montel, jr.

Hernandez have a 5-2 slate whilel Manuel have a 6-1 record. Their match was the most crucial as Manuel needs just a draw to clinch the title and half of the cash prize.

Manuel was in his top form and clobbered Hernandez to win another plum.

THE FINAL STANDINGS OF PLAYERS AND THEIR WIN-LOSS-DRAW RECORD: (There's not a single drawn game in the tourney)

1. Manuel (7-1) 2. Hernandez (5-3) 3. Montel, Jr. (4-4) 4. Eti (3-5) 5. Pastrana (1-7)

Solution to last week's puzzle:

1. Qa4+!! Kxa4 2. Ra1+ Kb3 3. Bd7 mate.