NOT A single game was played in this week's rapid chess competition within the Palau Royal Resort's employees at Dormitory 1 as most of participating players are busy or have played already the available players.
Zaldy Ranopa had not played a single game in Class A division and whenever he said that he will play to anyone that's available, nobody believes him anymore as he said it more that ten times.
In the Class B division, the top contenders are still waiting for the final results with chief cook Arnold Rivera leading Romy Cayanan, Morris Apresto and Francis Diesta.
The invited player Chat Miraflor is still busy even on his day off (Wednesday). The same as the other invited player in Class A division Andres 'Aying' Mestizo II.
I would like to share the story behind the 1991 Berean Bible Baptist Church Chess tournament held from February 24 - March 24, 1991.
It was a 5-round Swiss system tournament participated by 20 chess players around Muntinlupa City in the Philippines.
I lost my first round game to Leandro Valdez but won the next 4 to finish 1st runner-up to eventual champion Angelo Agbuya, who was the National Games (Palarong Pambansa) regional champion.
Valdez is complaining at the time of awarding that he defeated me and he didn't finish in the top 5. The question is: after beating me, how did he perform in his last 4 games?
My last game against Ramon Ragas was a cliffhanger and controversial in my own perspective...
Playing the black pieces, I needed a win to land at least 1st runner-up and can be the champion depending on the outcome of the other crucial match.
I preferred the Dutch Defence, which I have used successfully in other tournaments in Philippines and Palau.
With a few seconds remaining in my clock, I was able to promote the c pawn to have 2 queens and mated Ragas on the 62nd move.
If my time expires, I will lose that game and I will not finish in the top 5. If I drew that game, I can be no better that 4th place.
After the game, the arbiter checked how much time I have left in my clock. And it's just a mere 7 seconds that separated me between my first chess trophy!
The controversial part is that the arbiter let our game to be finished before setting the other crucial game between the other 2 contenders.
Now, Agbuya has to win his game against his opponent as a draw will make me the champion. And he did!
I think something is wrong about it. It's also a good feeling that my practice partner Gary Galang finished 4th.
And during the awarding ceremony, the Muntinlupa City Mayor Ignacio Bunye, now the Presidential Speaker of Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroya, awarded the trophies and little cash prizes from his own pocket to the winners.
I was asked to perform a special piano performance during the awarding.
Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Pages 13 & 15
Volume 18
April 04-10, 2008
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