Ksau Anthony Whipps, left, played his first game against top seed Cyrelle Ann Montel. Ksau won but his dad, behind him, lost to Eugene Labarda. Cyrelle Ann's dad, Cyril, also lost against CM Bernardo Garcia (both of PPR). Other players in the photo--Jeff Balbalosa, lost to Gene Pastrana while Jose Celiz won over his co-employee at PPUC NM Tito Cabunagan. (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)
TOP SEEDS WERE UPSET;
KSAU WINS 2 GAMES
The 4th week of the 2013 Palau National Chess
Championship is the week of upsets as top seed in the Top 12, Reserve and
Junior divisions were upset in contrasting fashion.
Palau
No. 1 National Master (NM) Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. was upset by CM Bernardo
Garcia in 50 moves of Two Knights Defence.
Their
game has almost reached the 3-game repetition of moves where Cyril moved his
queen to h6 twice. If the 3rd h6 move occurs, it’s automatic draw by
repetition. Instead, Garcia captured the bishop on c3. After Cyril hurriedly captured
with his queen, the simple bishop pin wins. He lost his queen for a mere
bishop. He still carried on and resigned on the 50th move.
Third
seed NM Tito Cabunagan was outsmarted by 4th seed Jose Celiz in more
than 60 moves of King’s Pawn Opening. In the middle game, Celiz sacrificed a
knight for 2 pawns and held his ground till the end game where he is just ahead
by a pawn. It’s his first win over Tito where his best result against him is
just a draw.
A
total of 19 players showed up in the venue – Bethlehem Park. Prior to his game
against Gene Pastrana, Jeff Balbalosa had a very good 3-game result—a win over
Nilo de Jesus in the first week and 2 draws against CM Garcia and Celiz.
But
he lost a tough one when he was mated by Gene’s queen. In the middle game,
Gene’s position is cramped and almost given up but persistence pays off to
score his first whole point.
In
the Junior Division, Ksau Anthony Whipps came with his dad Eric Ksau Whipps. He
played against top seed Cyrelle Ann Montel and won in just 13 moves of King’s
Pawn Opening when Cyrelle moved a knight that resulted in a checkmate.
Eric
played his first official game against Eugene Labarda and lost in 28 moves of
Irregular Opening. Labarda is now leading the Reserve Division with 3 points.
Ksau
played his 2nd game against 16-year-old Ronald Mission. The
error-filled game has to be watched by Chief Arbiter Roberto Hernandez because
of some touch move violation of Ronald. He touched and moved his queen where it
can be captured without compensation but he changed the move. Ksau was asked if
he is sure that Ronald let go his hand off the queen. He’s not sure so the game
resumed with that last move.
Ronald
refused to write chess notations citing that he will just copy from Ksau after
their game. Hernandez allowed it just for this time. Ronald is also wearing an
earphone listening to music while playing an official game. It will not be
allowed next time.
Ksau
won his 2nd straight to catch up with Destiny Sisior, who had 3
straight. She came late in the afternoon and didn’t play a single game.
The
longest game of the day was between Nilo de Jesus and Dennis Gonzales. It’s
starting to get dark when they finished their Sicilian Defence clash with de
Jesus emerging as winner and dealt Gonzales his 3rd straight loss in
47 moves.
Reserve
Division top seed Jaime dela Cruz played the last game of the day against
Remrel Dizon and lost in 29 moves of Caro-Kahn Defence. Dela Cruz' special game
against Mohammad Manik Hossain didn’t materialize as he has to do part-time job
and it’s already dark when he asked Manik to play.
Remrel
scored another whole point earlier in the afternoon against Glen Navarosa in 30
moves of another Irregular Opening.
Another
special game was held between Top 12 Division 6th seed Paquito ‘Pax’ Suringa, Jr.
and Rustum Cabuso with the latter prevailing in their game held at 11:00 pm on
Thursday at Iglesia Ni Cristo chapel where they are assigned to watch the place
that night.
The
special game of Manik and James finally happened on Saturday, August 31 at 4:00
pm. Manik won the game and he now has an even 2 wins and 2 losses record. James
dropped to 0-2.
George
Anzawa is going to England to resume his studies there. His name in the Junior
Division will be withdrawn and will be replaced by anyone available (16 years
old and below).
Solution
to last week’s puzzle: (It’s the same as last week. We’re sorry for double
printing)
This week’s puzzle: White to move and
mates in 3 (Solution next issue)
Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Pages 9, 10 & 11
Volume 22
Issue 70
September 02, 2013
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