(519) TWO DAYS OF UPSET; FLORES WINS 8 STRAIGHT (TBN-Sept. 21-27, 2007)

        TWO DAYS OF UPSETS,
     FLORES WINS 8 STRAIGHT 

SEPTEMBER 8 AND 9 were the days of upsets in the resumption of Palau Royal Resort rating chess tournament held at PRR Dormitory 1 with Manny Dulay upsetting tough newcomer Dennis Lara in 58 moves of King's Pawn Opening where Lara suffered his only 4th loss.

Hours later, Robert 'Tube Ice' Tubice dealt Zaldy Ranopa his 2nd loss of the tourney with a 47-move conquest of Bishop Opening.

A day later, Ranopa bowed to Laurence Abuton in 30 moves of Ruy Lopez and elevated Abuton to 4th place with a 9-6-1 win-loss-draw slate.

And hours later, Randy Sioson took the measure of Arnel Pama in just 25 moves of another KPO where Pama's mental toughness is not present as he was routed by Lara in a shorter 18 moves of Queen's Gambit Declined.

But it was a week of win streak for Nino Flores as he scored 8 straight by winning over Paquito 'Pax' Suringa, Jr. in just 8 moves of Bishop Opening; over Tubice in 33 moves of Giocco Piano and over Excalibur chess computer in 25 moves of another Bishop Opening.

He dislodged top seed and idle Roberto Hernandez, who haven't played a game in more than a month.

A member of the Board of Directors of King Royal Chess Club insists that the 2nd round of the tourney must not continue unless all players have paid their registration fee of $5.00.

Arnold Rivera joined the tilt last week and paid his due. He will play on Saturday against weaker players to gain momentum.

STANDINGS OF PLAYERS:
     1. Nino Flores (11-2-0)  2. Roberto Hernandez (10-2-0) 3. Jaime Guevarra (8-4-3) 4. Laurence Abuton (9-6-1) 5. Dennis Lara (9-4-0) 6. Arnel Pama (9-7-0) 7. Zaldy Ranopa (8-3-1) 8. Abe Francisco (7-5-1) 9. Robert Tubice (7-6-2) 10. Tony Penas (6-4-0) 11. Paul Garcia (5-3-0) 12. Erick Ventinilla (4-9-1) 13. Randy Sioson (3-10-0) 14. Paquito Suringa, Jr. (3-11-0) 15.  Manny Dulay (3-11-0) 16. Excalibur (2-8-1) 17. Zuenie Mirabueno (0-2-0) 18. Ivan II (0-7-0) 19. Arnold Rivera.

Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
           Tia Belau Newspaper
           Page 13
           Volume 17
           September 21-27, 2007