A souvenir photo was taken before the start of his simultaneous exhibition game. From left, Lilibeth Cabunagan, Tito Cabunagan, Brian Jones, Margaret Jones and Roberto Hernandez at Island Paradise Resort Club. The generous manager of IPRC offered the place for free as venue of Micronesian Open 2014. He also provides drinks to the players and guests. THANK YOU VERY MUCH and XIE XIE.
(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)
BRIAN JONES IS M. O. C. 2014
CHAMP; COMPLETES MISSION
OCEANIA Zone Confederation President Brian Jones of Australia scored 8.5 points in 9 games to dominate the Micronesian Open Chess tournament held at The Taj (Opening Day), Surangel Construction Office and at the new Island Paradise Resort Club in Medalai.
Mr. Jones, who is also a FIDE Master (FM) and an International Organizer (IO), arrived in Palau on Feb. 18 with his wife Margaret and was booked by Roberto Hernandez at Palau Royal Resort 5 weeks before their arrival.
They left on Feb. 26 at 3:00 am for Guam after holding a simultaneous exhibition matches against kids, adults and mostly beginners.
Among them are former Senator Surangel Whipps, Sr., Valerie Remengesau Surangel, her 2 daughters Ultei Angelei and Moded Samantha, WNM Angelica Parrado, Peter Erick Magbanua, Gladys Anne Paloma, Ksau Anthony Flores Whipps, Kyarii Sisior, Destiny Sisior, Angelil Sisior, Kate Celiz, Beth Cabunagan, Ohjea Mae Figueroa Perdon, Eric Ksau Whipps, Joy Flores Whipps, Kayah Flores Whipps, Baby Edna Mission and some more beginners who experienced the joy and excitement of playing a master in person.
Prior to the simul, Roberto teaches Ultei how to form a fortress when playing the black pieces using the Pirc or Modern Defence. It works! Ultei lasted the longest among more than 20 opponents of Mr. Jones. Beth Cabunagan's king traveled from e8 to c2 before being mated on that square!
Ksau can't believe that he was mated by a knight on h6. One Palauan guy was mated in just 4 moves. It was a magical moment for Palau chess.
Tito Cabunagan scored 7.5 points to finish 2nd while Palau top player Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. has 6 and the only player that drew with Mr. Jones.
Roberto and Jose Celiz were tied at 4th with 5.5 points each followed by Dennis Gonzales, CM Bernardo Garcia, Jeffrey Balbalosa, Rafael Paloma and Parrado.
If that tournament is the World Chess Olympiad, Tito and Cyril would have been FIDE Master while Roberto and Jose would have earned Candidate Master title like what Bernard got in Istanbul, Turkey 2012 World Chess Olympiad.
A 50% performance rating in their first 7 or 8 games will automatically earn a player his Candidate Master title while if a player scores 6 points in 9 games, he will become a FIDE Master.
This is what Roberto is eyeing in the next WCO in Tromso, Norway in Aug. 01-14, 2014. He is half-retired now, working only 4 hours a day and he has time to prepare and practice 5 hours a day and play as reserve or Board 4 in the Men/Open Palau team instead of team captain, where he can't play.
The MOC is an event as preparation for Palau Chess Team to Norway that's compose of Minister Baklai Temengil as Head of Delegation, Eric Whipps as Delegate, NM Hernandez as team captain, Tito at Board 1, Cyril at 2, CM Bernard at 3, Jeffrey Balbalosa at 4 and Ksau as reserve.
The women's team will have Jamie Kenmure at team captain, Angie at Board 1, Baby Edna Mission at 2, Gladys at 3, Joy at 4 and Destiny Sisior as reserve.
Roberto will suggest that Jamie be the men/open team captain, Ksau as women team captain, and Roberto as reserve or Board 4 to get his chance for a FIDE Master title or at least a CM title. That is a solid men/open team for Palau.
In 2012 WCO, they don't have reserve so there is no strategy available in changing the board numbers all the way to the 11th and final round.
The awarding of medals and certificate was held at The Taj. Roberto was not able to attend because he has to work from 7-11pm.
The Palau Open 2014 will be held every Sunday at Bethlehem Park. The 5-round Swiss system event had drawn 38 players including the top 10 players of Palau.
In the first round, the top seed (Cyril), will play against the player in the middle of the list (no. 19). The 2nd seed (Jose) will play against no. 20, etc.
The winner in the first round will play against the winner, loser vs. loser, etc.
Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Pages 9-10
Volume 23
Issue 18
March 03, 2014
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