(444) PENULTIMATE ROUND PHOTOS (2013 Rapid Chess Tournament)

Jaime dela Cruz, left, is the only Filipino that's a referee in a Palauan Basketball League. He also plays for a team when not officiating. The Jack-Of-All-Trade chess player will design/carve the wooden trophy for the 2013 Rapid Chess tournament. He lost to Tito Cabunagan, right, in their official game on April 14, 2013 at Bethlehem Park, just across the Palau National Gym. In the background are Mohammad Manik Hossain vs. Gene Pastrana. The winner will have a chance for a semifinal berth. (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

A must-win game for Gene Pastrana, right. He has to win his game against Mohammad Manik Hossain, left, and against top seed Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. to qualify in the semifinal against Group B top qualifier Tito Cabunagan, 2nd from right. In the middle is Baby Edna 'Bheng' Mission, 2nd runner-up in the women's division while Jaime dela Cruz finds a extra minutes to play his unplayed games against available players.

(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

Mohammad Manik Hossain, right, improved his very good results in the 2013 Rapid Chess tournament with another victory over Jaime dela Cruz, left. He qualified automatically to the semifinals after his victory over Gene Pastrana. Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr., (background) is having a half time break from a basketball game and played against Dennis Gonzales in the semifinal of Group B. Tito and Bheng watch the game from sideline. (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

Semifinal match between top seed Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr., left, and Dennis Gonzales. To save time, they played their semifinal game and disregard the qualification game which was declared a draw. Cyril won to earn the right to face Tito Cabunagan for the finals of Group B. Watching the game are (L-R) Bheng, Manik, Remrel, Ed and his son, Jeff Balbalosa and Tito.
(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

Mohammad Manik Hossain lost again to Tito Cabunagan in the first semifinal game of Group B. His only loss in the regular/qualification round is also from Tito. Jeff Balbalosa and Bheng joined the photo session at Bethlehem Park, the future venue of next tournament -- the Blitz.

(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

Group A semifinals between Roberto Hernandez, left, and Jeff Balbalosa while Cyril, Remrel, a bystander who practiced with available players and Bheng watch the game. Roberto won and will wait for the winner of Paquito Suringa, Jr. vs. Rafael Paloma match.

THE MOVES:

Hernandez, Roberto (White) 1 : 0 Balbalosa, Jeffrey (Black) Bethlehem Park, April 14, 2013

1. f4 c5 2. e4 a6 3. Nf3 d6 4. Bc4 Nc6 5. c3 e6 6. 0-0 Be7 7. d4 b5 8. Bb3 c5 9. Bc2 Nf6

10. e5 Nd5 11. exd6 Qxd6 12. Ne5 Nxe5 13. fxe5 Qd7 14. Qh5 g6 15. Qf3 Bf8 16. Bg5 Bg7

17. Be4 0-0 18. Nd2 Bb7 19. b3 Rac8 20. bxc4 bxc4 21. Rab1 f5? 22. exf6 e.p. Bxf6 23. Rxb7 Qxb7

24. Bxf6 Rxf6 25. Qxf6 Nxf6 26. Bxb7 Black Resigned.

(Photo and Chess Notations by Roberto Hernandez)

Jack-of-all-trade Jaime dela Cruz was absent during the Palau Chess Federation Annual General Meeting in February so his certificate of participation was given on the penultimate round of 2013 Rapid Chess tournament. (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)