RAPID CHESS CHAMPIONS
Veteran-newcomer Tony Villa, left, and Palau's top player Menandro 'Boy' Manuel, 2nd from left, receive their cash prizes from Knights and Rooks Chess Club Chairman Roberto Hernandez, right, and Secretary/Treasurer Gene Pastrana after topping the 2006 Rapid Chess Tournament. The two scored the same number of points and split the $175.00 1st and 2nd prize pot donated by Manny Kimpo of Pinoy Express Remittance.
(Contributed photo by Roberto Hernandez)
Published at Island Times
January 11-17, 2007
Both finished with identical 15 points with Manuel suffering 4 losses, the last one to his nemesis fellow National Master Manny Nedic that allow Villa to tie him for the title and cash of $175.00 that they will split as they refuse to play a best-of-3 blitz tiebreak.
The next 5 players that will have a chance for the remaining pot will be decided next week with 3 remaining games between Edwin Eti and Cyril Montel, Jr. (2 games) and Nedic vs. venue host Gene Pastrana.
Nedic lost to Montel, Jr. in their first game but bounced back from defeat to drubbed Montel, Jr.
The 3rd place is a toss-up between Nedic and Eti, who sponsored the $100.00 cash prize.
The other cash prizes were donation from Manny Kimpo ($250.00) of Pinoy Express Remittance, Palau and from registration fees of the participating players.
Palau number 2 player Jose Omega, 3rd seed Montel, Jr. and 4th seed Roberto Hernandez are fighting it out for the last spots of the last tournament of the year.
All other players that didn't show up have lost their remaining matches by default -- Koror State Legal Counsel Craig Dittrich, Flavin Andres and Joel Azana.
A 7-player blitz chess contest was held after the regular games. They were Villa, Manuel, Eti, Hernandez, Nedic, Montel, Jr. and Pastrana.
After 5 games, 3 players were tied for the lead: Villa, Nedic and Hernandez with an identical 5-1-0 card.
After Villa ousted Hernandez of contention, Nedic bowed out of contention also with his loss to Montel, Jr. who needs to beat Villa to force a 3-way tie for the title.
But it wasn't meant to be a Villa showed his supremacy again in speed chess.
Due to low turnout of participants in the Christmas break chess tournament for Palauan kids 15 years and below, the organizers are now allowing Filipino kids to participate in the inaugural event.
Fourteen-year-old Jayrome Soriano will become the top seed to be followed by Dmitri Villanueva and Ken Pastrana, the junior champion of the Ambassador Marino Cup Rapid Chess tournament.
The Christmas party of Knights and Rooks Chess Club will be held on December 17 or 24 depending on the agreed date.
If it is on the 24th, Villa can't participate in the celebration and blitz chess festival that will divide the rated and beginners as he will have a 1-day vacation on the 22nd.
Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
December 15-22, 2006
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