PALAU'S number 2 chess player Jose Omega, a cook at Ashibi Restaurant, bagged his first blitz chess title last Sunday, Nov. 26 at Jean's Boutique and Store.
But he had to share the title and a little cash with veteran-newcomer Tony Villa. They have an identical 7-1-0 win-loss-draw record.
Other participants were NM Menandro Manuel (1-5-2), Roberto Hernandez (2-5-1) and venue host Gene Pastrana (1-6-1).
It was the worst performance in a blitz contest by Manuel and he didn't participate in the next blitz chess tourney participated this time by Villa, Edwin Eti, Hernandez, Pastrana and 3rd seed Cyril Montel, Jr.
This time, Eti, (6-1-1) bagged another blitz title as he swept Villa (5-2-1) and suffered only one loss to Hernandez (4-4-0).
Montel, Jr. finished 4th at 3-5-0 and Pastrana (0-6-2).
In the only regular game played in the ongoing rapid chess tournament, Manuel kept his hope alive to get another feather in his cap after clobbering Omega in their Sicilian Defence game (Dragon Variation).
Villa is leading the field of 11 players with only one loss (to Omega) and can win the championship if either he will draw with NMs Manuel or Manny Nedic.
If he will both lose to the two, it will be a very tight contest for the top prize of $100.00.
The tournament will be over in 2 more weeks and if the newcomer who is interested in joining can catch up, it might be extended for another 2 weeks with Joel Azana's remaining games be declared as default losses.
The tournament for Palauan kids will be held during the Christmas break and interested kids 15 years and below can register to Knights and Rooks Chess Club Chairman Roberto Hernandez at tel. 488-3694.
Also at tel. 488-1000 (Donburi Dragon, where he plays piano from 11 am to 2 pm Monday to Saturday).
Or to Gene Pastrana at 488-4640 or to Palau Chess Federation Chairman Francis 'Sno' Temaungil at 587-2546.
Cash prizes for the one week tournament are: $100.00 for the champion; $75.00 for 2nd; $50.00 for 3rd and $25.00 for 4th.
Kids are invited to a clinic to be held at Jean's Boutique and Store every Sunday during the rapid chess tournament.
Source:
Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
December 01-08, 2006
No comments:
Post a Comment