(677) PHOTOS (2004 RAPID CHESS TOURNAMENT)

From left, Morton Sawaichi vs. Ivan II Chess Computer; Eddie Grefiel vs. Jess Toldoya; Jose Omega vs. ?; Menandro Manuel vs. Joel Azana.                                   (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

Morton Sawaichi, left, is watching Gene Pastrana executing a move. Menandro Manuel, right, Jose Omega, 2nd from left are watching while Cyril Montel, Jr., middle is practicing with kids.
                                                               (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

Palauan bet Morton Sawaichi, left, missed a winning continuation in his game against Mariano Agustin, Jr. Has he won this game, it could have been his best-ever start in a Palau chess tournament--   3-0!  He won against 2nd seed Menandro Manuel in the first round. Eddie Grefiel is watching while it is getting dark.
                                               (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

CHESS AFTER DARK
   From left, the top 2 seeds Eddie Grefiel vs. Menandro Manuel; Bong Alipoon vs. Jose Misael de Jesus, who lives next to the tournament site (home court advantage?) and Joel Azana vs. Mariano Agustin, Jr.
                                                (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)
 
                                                                    
                                                       

Cyril Montel, Jr., left, vs. another Junior - Mariano Agustin, Jr., more popularly known as JR. Joel Azana vs. Bong Alipoon. Eddie Grefiel, right, and Jimboy de Jesus are watching the games closely.
                                                            (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

Jimmy Valenzuela, left, vs. Joel Azana; Jose Misael "Jimboy" de Jesus vs. Bong Alipoon and Menandro 'Boy' Manuel vs. eventual champion Eddie Grefiel.                   Photo by Roberto Hernandez

Another angle of the Montel, Jr. vs. Agustin, Jr. match and the Azana vs. Alipoon game with Eddie Grefiel watching a foot closer.                                                 (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

Menandro Manuel, left, against Bong Alipoon with Mr. Sermeno watching. At the other end of the table are Jose Misael "Jimboy" de Jesus against Jimmy Valenzuela. Jimboy lives within the tournament site --HOME COURT ADVANTAGE?                                                  (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

Jimboy de Jesus, left,  lives at the staff house behind him, Bong Alipoon and Cyril Montel, Jr., who is playing the eventual champ Eddie Grefiel. De Jesus upset Grefiel in this event.     (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

Another angle again of Alipoon, left, vs. Azana and the 2 juniors (Jr.) --Mariano Agustin, Jr. and Cyril Montel, Jr. with Eddie Grefiel in the middle.                                    (Photo by Rioberto Hernandez)

From left, Bong Alipoon, Menandro Manuel, Jimmy Valenzuela, Mr. Sermeno, Eddie Grefiel and Joel Azana.                                                (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

Cyril Montel, Jr. with the white pieces against Eddie Grefiel.             (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)