(502) GAME OF THE WEEK: ERICK'S REVENGE (TBN-Aug. 24-30, 2007)

WITH the white pieces, Erick Ventinilla lost a very tightly contested match against Laurence Abuton two weeks ago where he missed a much better offensive move than the unsound sacrifice that cost him that game.

He asked for a 2nd round bout with Abuton, who politely declined the rematch on the same day.

This week, the rematch was set and the crowd anticipated a slam bang action between the 2 protagonists in the resumption of Palau Royal Resort rating chess tournament.

As expected, the game started slow with the players taking their time each move but most of the time, Erick forgets to press his time clock.

A notion from the crowd suggested that Erick must be tapped hard to the head the next time he forgets to press the chess clock.

When he missed to press the clock again, top seed Roberto Hernandez hit him hard to the head and sicne then, Erick played brilliantly and scored a much needed ego-boosting victory as most of his losses were dropped with him ahead in material and positional advantage.

The last 2 moves put the crowd at the edge of their seat as Erick is about to move his c pawn instead of a mate in 2 moves. He found it and a b2+ move ended the game.

With the victory, Erick moved from 11th place to 7th and tied Abraham 'Abe' Francisco and Abuton in the standings.

Ka Abe drubbed Paquito 'Pax' Suringa, Jr. in 46 moves of French Defence and Manny Dulay in a shorter 25-mover Bishop Opening Game.

If he will win his rematch game against Ivan II Chess Computer, he will be one of two players with the least loss (one game) as most of the players lost 2 games or more.

The other player is Zaldy Ranopa, who was idle for the week and remained at 3-1-1 win-loss-draw slate.

Arnel Pama, the elected Chairman of King Royal Chess Club of Palau Royal Resort (PRR), offered 2 pawns in the endgame to obtain bewildering attack against the tough chess computer Ivan II.

With 3 unopposed kingside pawns, Pama stormed the kingside and sacrificed another pawn that clinched the game in 58 moves of Four Knights Defence.

In the only other completed game of the week, Nino Flores outclassed Randy Sioson in 30 moves of another Bishop Opening.

Most players enjoyed the payday weekend somewhere else.

With Flores having a 5-day annual leave, he is expected to play as many games as he can to catch up with the lone lady participant Zuenie Mirabueno.

She played only 2 games so far. She is ready to play on Sunday night but no players are available at the time.

Source:
Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Page 13
Volume 17
August 24-30, 2007