Robert Scaria, right, of The Taj, did the ceremonial
first move of the 2014 Micronesian Open Chess Tournament held at the The Taj on
Feb. 19 with Ultei Whipps. The brainchild of the event, Mr. Brian Jones,
middle, is watching the first move –e4 by Ultei and answered by d6 (Pirc
Defence), the favorite defence of Roberto Hernandez, left, emcee of the event.
(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)
2014 MICRONESIAN OPEN
STARTS AT THE TAJ
Oceania Chess Confederation President Brian Jones of
Australia arrived in Palau with his wife Margaret on Feb. 18, 2014 and was
booked by Roberto Hernandez at Palau Royal Resort for 7 nights. The Micronesian
Open Chess Tournament will be held supposed to be a Conference Room of PRR but
the room is occupied on that date by JAL Employees Satisfaction Survey.
During
the meeting of top 6 officials of Palau Chess Federation (President Eric Ksau
Whips, Vice President Tito Cabunagan, Treasurer Dennis Gonzales, General
Secretary Hernandez, Board Members Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. and CM Bernard
Garcia), their first priority is the venue.
A lot of calls have been made –
Penthouse Hotel, Palau Pacific Resort, Palasia Hotel, SDA Computer Room, and
finally The Taj. Its manager/owner Robert Scaria invited the PCF officials to
check the place and they agree to hold the Opening Ceremony there on Feb. 19 at
6pm.
Mr.
Jones and Margaret went there at 5pm using Roberto’s car and set the place with
others who bring in chess equipments. The 10 top-rated players of Palau will
have a round-robin with Mr. Jones as top seed followed by Montel, Jr., Jose
Celiz, Roberto, Tito, Bernard, Jeff Balbalosa, WNM Angelica Parrado, Dennis and
Rafael Paloma.
The
kids will be having their own version of round-robin event as well as the
women’s. The top 10 will be finished on Feb. 25 while the other 2 category will
be finished till May, 2014.
At 6:30,
the place is full of chess players, their parents, friends and other chess
aficionados witnessing the biggest gathering of active chess players in Palau.
A
short opening prayer was done by Roberto, who introduced Mr. Jones to the
crowd. After his very inspirational speech, it’s time for Eric to say something
before the Ceremonial First Moves.
Kyarii
Sisior is not present so Ultei Angelei Surangel and Robert Scaria do the honor
of the Ceremonial First moves. After that, Roberto has to say goodbye to all as
he is working at 7pm at PRR.
His first
game was played at 2pm at Surangel Construction office in Malakal, where he
lost to Mr. Jones, who is a FIDE Master with a top seed rating of 2037. He won
in more than 50 moves of Pirc Defence where he hang on to his one-pawn
advantage till the end.
Tito
won over Dennis, Jose over Angie, Jeff whipped Paloma and 2nd seed
Montel, Jr. subdued Garcia in the longest game of the night.
On
Thursday, Feb. 20, Jeff scored his 2nd straight by trouncing
Parrado. Tito clobbered Jose while Hernandez didn’t play because he’s working
again at 7pm.
On
Friday at 10:30 am, Cyril and Roberto played their game at Surangel
Construction office and the result is a draw in 59 moves. Cyril missed a king
maneuver move that could have won him the game. He’s got 12 seconds left in his
clock when he captured the last pawn of Roberto. If he didn’t capture it, he
would have lost by time forfeit.
The
6pm games were played at the new Island Paradise Resort Club in Medalaii.
Roberto capitalized on Angie’s blunder and mated her on the 14th
move. Jeff lost a winning game against Tito while Cyril and Brian Jones agreed
to a draw.
Roberto
played his 3rd game of the day and outwitted Garcia in 45 moves of
English Opening. The see-saw match of Dennis and Jose is still going on at 9:45
pm, where Roberto left the place to attend the Prayer Meeting at Pentecostal
Missionary Church of Christ (4th Watch) in Iyebukel.
Jose
blundered away a piece and lost instead as his king is exposed to attack.
The
games on Saturday and Sunday will still be played at Island Paradise Resort
Club, the Monday games will be played at Surangel Construction office and the
final day (Tuesday) will be held at IPRC including the simul by Mr. Jones. The
Taj again for the closing ceremony and awarding of prizes.
Solution
to last week’s puzzle: 1. Qg6+!! hxg6 2. hxg6+ Kh8 3. Nf7 mate.
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
Volume 23
Issue 16
February 24, 2014
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