: BANNER YEAR OF PALAU CHESS
2014 is the banner year of chess in
Palau with so many good things happened including the participation of Open and
Women’s teams in Tromso, Norway World Chess Olympiad.
WISHING ALL THE BEST FOR CHESS
IN PALAU IN 2015 AND BEYOND!
(Photo by Eric Ksau Whipps)
(Photo by Eric Ksau Whipps)
CHESS MATE MARKS 12th YEAR
WITH ITS 620th ISSUE
THE 12th year of Chess Mate by Roberto
Hernandez on Dec. 29, 2014 is a milestone in the chess development in Palau.
The 9 events/tournaments in its Calendar of Events were highlighted by the
participation of Open and Women’s team in World Chess Olympiad in Tromso,
Norway in Aug. 01-14.
The
first tournament of 2014 was held on Jan. 06- Feb. 06, the Ksau Cup which drew
24 players, 8 of them are rated. Jeff Balbalosa dominated this event with a
perfect 23-0 win-loss slate!
In
Jan. 23-24, World Chess Federation (FIDE) C. E. O. Geoffrey Borg and Asian
Chess Federation Deputy President Toti Abundo visited Palau for the promotion
of chess in school and the holding of FIDE Trainers’ Seminar for local players.
Less
than a month later (Feb. 19), the 2014 Micronesian Open finally starts at The
Taj Restaurant with Brian Jones as the only invited player who made it. He
clinched the title without a loss.
The
Brian Jones Simultaneous Exhibition was held at Island Paradise Resort Club
with less than 20 players on Feb. 25. Mr. Jones defeated all contestants
including a former Senator and the top women and junior players of Palau.
The
2014 Palau Open started on March 23 which was divided into Group A and Group B.
Roberto won the Group A undefeated while Paquito Suringa, Jr. clinched the
Group B undefeated also but with one draw.
In
April 14-15 the FIDE Trainers’ Seminar was conducted by Mr. Borg that enabled
14 local players to get 1 FIDE Instructor (FI) title, 6 National Instructors (NI)
and 7 Developmental Instructors (DI) titles. Their ID cards were given in
Tromso, Norway during the World Chess Olympiad.
Two
weeks before their participation in the Tromso Olympiad, the Palau Olympians Tune-up
games were held and won by Dennis Gonzales against the 6-player field of
Olympiad bound players (Open Section).
Nine Palau Team members fly to Manila to get
their Schengen visa on July 15. A day before their departure to Norway,
Congressman Prospero ‘Butch’ Pichay hosted them for one night at Heritage Hotel
in Manila.
The complete 11-player Palau
Team boarded the plane in Oslo, Norway for their final destination –Tromso.
They attended the Opening Ceremony of the record-breaking Chess Olympiad in
terms of participating nations, which made the Chess Olympiad as the 4th
largest sporting event in the world. It’s the first time that Palau was able to
sent a women’s team.
The last tourney of Palau Chess
Federation is the ongoing 2014 Palau National Chess Championship, which will
conclude on Jan. 25, 2015. It was divided into 4 categories – Top 10, Open (17
players), Women and Junior. The format is round-robin except for the Open,
which is Swiss system.
The PCF website http://palau-chess.blogspot.com is 3
years now since its inception in Dec. 26, 2011 by Joselito Marcos. A VERY FRUITFUL
3 YEARS THAT MAKE PALAU CHESS KNOWN TO THE WORLD! 889 posts have been published
on PALAU CHESS and 839 posts on PALAU CHESS MATE.
The Top 14 Posts with at least 300 page views
are 1. CITIZENSHIP IN PALAU by Dmitri Kyle Villanueva (799) 2. MARCOS AND
HERNANDEZ FAMILY AFTER 3rd PIICC (762) 3. PALAU CHESS FEDERATION
Players/Names/Pictures (759) 4. BULGAR (Expose) Features 1st PICC
(542) 5. 2009 OCEANIA ZONAL CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP PHOTOS (534) 6. DID KASPAROV
CHEAT J. POLGAR IN ’94? (503) 7. HOW DID PALAU BECOME FIDE MEMBER? (434) 8.
PALAU CHESS FEDERATION HAS 208 MEMBERS NOW (430) 9. PHOTOS (Opening Day – 2013
Palau National Chess Championship) (388) 10. PCF MEMBERS PHOTOS (Including
Honorary –June 09, 2002 – Present) (385) 11. OPENING CEREMONY (ISTANBUL
OLYMPIAD) (358) 12. MY MUSIC EXPERIENCE WITH FORMER PRESIDENT TOMMY REMENGESAU,
JR. (339) 13. 4 PALAU CHESS TEAM MEMBERS GRANTED TURKISH VISA (338) 14. FIL-OZ
LADY IS A CHAMP (307).
The Top 10 Countries who viewed
PCF website are 1. USA (95,350) 2. Philippines (5,475) 3. Russia (3,381) 4.
Germany (2,654) 5. Australia (1,365) 6. Palau (1,278) 7. UK (786) 8. France
(700) 9. PNG (682) 10. Ukraine (453). The total all-time page view is 123,365.
New countries who are viewing
this website now include 11. Latvia 12. Japan 13. Bangladesh 14. India
15. China 16. Cote d’
Ivoire 17. Togo 18. Malaysia 19. Kuwait 20. Poland 21. Brazil 22.
Serbia 23. Benin 24. Mexico 25. Qatar 26. Senegal 27. Saudi Arabia 28.
Ghana 29. Hong Kong 30. Sri Lanka 31. Norway 32. Pakistan, 33. Jordan
34. New Zealand 35. Romania 36. Bulgaria 37. Sweden 38. Hungary 39.
Bahrain 40. Austria 41. Martinique 42. Guam 43. Canada 44. Spain 45.
Estonia 46. Netherlands 47. South Africa 48. South Korea 49. Singapore
50. Croatia 51. Taiwan 52. Italy 53. Bosnia & Herzegovina 54.
Indonesia 55. Barbados 56. Chile 57. Ireland, 58. United Arab Emirates
59. Zambia, 60. Nigeria 61. Bahamas 62. Zimbabwe 63. Georgia 64.
Slovakia 65. Algeria 66. Micronesia 67. Portugal 68. Panama 69.
Marshall Islands 70. Vietnam 71. Northern Mariana Islands 72. Azerbaijan
73. Kazakhstan 74. Argentina 75. Thailand 76. Lithuania 77. Andorra 78.
Mauritius 79. Fiji 80. Macau 81. Czech Republic 82. Israel 83. Lebanon
84.Burkina Faso 85.Venezuela 86. Armenia 87. Morocco 88. Burundi 89.
Switzerland 90. Albania 91. Turkey 92. Iceland 93. Puerto Rico 94.
Dominican Republic 95. Belarus 96. Trinidad & Tobago 97. Ecuador 98.
Mongolia 99. Iraq 100. Belgium 101. Greece 102. Denmark 103. Colombia
104. Uruguay 105.
Solution to last week’s puzzle
No. 3760: 1. Qh8+!! Kxh8 2. Ng6++ Kg8 3. Rh8 mate.
THIS 12TH YEAR OF
CHESS MATE SPECIAL PUZZLE: White to move and mates in 2
The first person to solve this
12th year special puzzle will be given $12.00! Text 778-5392
***Nobody text for the right answer since Dec. 28, 2014 -- January 04, 2015.
THE CORRECT SOLUTION --- 1. Kg4! threatening 2. Qh5 mate. If 1. ...Rxf6 2. h8Q mate. Any other rook moves except to g8 leads to 2. Qh5 mate. And finally, if 1. ... Rg8+, then 2. hxg8N! mate.
THE CORRECT SOLUTION --- 1. Kg4! threatening 2. Qh5 mate. If 1. ...Rxf6 2. h8Q mate. Any other rook moves except to g8 leads to 2. Qh5 mate. And finally, if 1. ... Rg8+, then 2. hxg8N! mate.
Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Page 10
Volume 23
Issue 104
December 28, 2014
CHESS MATE ANNIVERSARY ISSUES:
WE ARE 1 YEAR OLD!
(CHESS MATE by Roberto Hernandez)
WITH THIS 54th installment, our column marks its first anniversary since Tia Belau began publishing us. How time flies!
There have been three chess tournaments held in three different venues. The first was the 2003 Open held at Image Restaurant & Sports Bar from January 12-April 27. Menandro 'Boy' Manuel of Surangel and Sons won the tourney in his very first participation.
The second was the 2003 Age Group Chess tournament, held at the TFCP (The Filipino Community in Palau) office premises from May 25-August 24. It started to separate the younger players from senior wood-pushers. Edgardo Enarsao bagged the senior title and Jayrome Soriano became the first junior champion.
Then came the season-ending 2003 Senior and Junior Open held at C & N Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Services premises from Sept. 21-Dec. 14. Roberto Hernandez and Charles Aquino won the top prizes in their respective divisions to cap the year of competitive and exciting chess development.
The first tournament of 2004 will be Non-masters Chess tournament that is open to all players with a rating of 2199 and below. It will start on January 11 at Paul Brothers Tri-M General Merchandise and Food Retail in Malakal. Its manager, Jojie Casinas, will donate trophies for the top five finishers in the adults and kids categories.
The new ratings of the senior players are as follows: 1. Ivan II Chess Computer (1993) 2. Roberto Hernandez (1879) 3. Menandro Manuel (1794) 4. Cyril Montel, Jr. (1782) 5. Jimmy Valenzuela (1742) 6. Jose Omega (1708) 7. Bong Alipoon (1701) 8. Mike Miguel, Jr. (1695) 9. Danny Dandoy (1662) 10. Eugene Koh (1651) 11. Nilo de Jesus (1623) 12. Jun Mahor (1620) 13. Mariano Agustin, Jr. (1617) 14. Mario Ramos (1584) 15. Jess Toldoya (1579) 16. Amante Caballero (1573) 17. Ben Ramos (1515) 18. Tutii Joe Chilton (1510) 19. Rolando Funa (1491) 20. Francis Cuenco (1452) 21. Norbert Villanueva (1452). Newcomers will start with a rating of 1500.
Four senior players (Manuel, Valenzuela, Dandoy and Koh) are on vacation and some of them will miss the opening day but they can still catch up and will have to play at least 2 games every Sunday. Valenzuela's schedule is still the same. He requested that if he did not make it at 5:30 pm, to lose by default to his scheduled opponent.
CHAMP, ARTIST AND HOST
Key people behind the success of the recently-concluded 2003 Senior and Junior Open Chess tournament are from left: Roberto Hernandez, senior champion, Hirm Isechal, trophy artist, and Nilo de Jesus, tournament venue host and trophies sponsor.
(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)
Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Page 13
January 02-09, 2004
WE'RE NOW 2 YEARS OLD
HOW TIME flies! Chess Mate is now two years old without missing a single issue, not even when the author had a six-week vacation in the Philippines from May 29 to July 10, 2004.
A lot have been accomplished with the help of so many people and sponsors of the eight tournaments that have been held in Palau. Contributions of players' knowledge about the game and their participation produced a lot of quality games at par with other countries.
With Chess Mate on its third year, more recent developments around the chess world will be shared to its readers.
THE NEW AND UPDATED RATINGS FOR THE 2005 REGULAR CHESS TOURNAMENT TO BE HELD ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 16 ARE AS FOLLOWS:
1. Eddie Grefiel (2091) 2. Roberto Hernandez (2034) 3. Ivan II Chess Computer (2032) 4. Menandro Manuel (1948) 5. Cyril Montel, Jr. (1940) 6. Jose Omega (1921) 7. Jimboy de Jesus (1889) 8. Jess Toldoya (1883) 9. Jimmy Valenzuela (1878) 10. Mike Miguel, Jr. (1843) 11. Bong Alipoon (1819) 12. Danny Dandoy (1793) 13. Lin de Guzman (1776) 14. Mario Ramos (1746) 15. Joel Azana (1697) 16. Morton Sawaichi (1654) 17. Dennis Gonzales (1647) 18. Gene Pastrana (1646) 19. Mariano Agustin, Jr. (1636) 20. Den Canaria (1599) 21. Wilson Milambiling (1599) 22. Gerry Sermeno (1583) 23. Pastor Fontanilla (1560) and Tutii Joe Chilton (1510).
De Jesus earned the most points (179) for his exemplary performance in the recently concluded 2004 Rapid Chess tournament held beside his residence. (Home-court advantage?)
Pastrana is second with 146 followed by Montel, Jr. (141) and Omega (140). Azana (111) and Most Improved Player Lin de Guzman completes the list of triple digit points earners while Agustin, Jr. was the only one who lost rating points due to his struggling performance in the 2004 Rapid Chess tournament.
AND SPEAKING OF RAPID CHESS, ROBERTO HERNANDEZ WOULD LIKE TO SHARE A NEWSPAPER CLIPPING THAT HE COLLECTED WHILE HE WAS WORKING IN THE MIDDLE EAST (BAHRAIN) AS MUSICIAN IN KHAYAM TAVERNA (GREEK RESTAURANT) WITH PARTNER ANTONIS SERGIO, A CYPRIOT BOUZUKI PLAYER.
The Khaleej Times December 13, 1988 issue reported the first World Rapid Chess Championship, then referred to as "Active", as follows:
KARPOV HAS AN EASY FIRST ROUND VICTORY
Dmazatlan (Mexico) -- Some of the globe's top chess players battled against each other and the clock on Sunday at the opening of the first World Active Chess Championship.
Former world champion Anatoly Karpov of the Soviet Union won his first round match well within the time limit but others took their games to the wire in the $150,000 tournament of rapid chess.
While Karpov appeared to have little difficulty with fellow Soviet Nana Ioseliani, other players found their pieces literally flying off the board as they as they attempted to finish their matches within the 60-minute time limit.
Walter Browne of the United States frantically made his final moves against cool 14-year old Hungarian Zsofia Polgar before the two agreed to a first round draw.
Active chess is an attempt to make the sport palatable for a mass television audience.
"In general it's less beautiful but it's much more exciting, even for the players," said Horst Metzing, general secretary of the West German Chess Federation.
Unlike traditional chess where single matches can last over six hours, active chess matches must be finished within an hour with each player having 30 minutes to make his moves.
The active form is an effort by chess players and promoters to gain a larger audience and television coverage for a sport traditionally limited to a hard core following of afficionados.
With increased popularity, there will be more money for national and international chess federations as well as for players, tourney organizers said.
"If television is interested, the sponsors are interested," Metzing said.
The Active Chess Championship, being played through Saturday in Mazatlan on Mexico's Pacific coast, is being televised to the United States and Europe by a Mexican television network.
And finally, in the 1998 World Under 14 Rapid Chess Championship, Mark Paragua captured the title and is now the Philippines number one rated player with an ELO rating of 2534, ahead of Grandmaster Rogelio Antonio, Jr. and Asia's first Grandmaster Eugene Torre.
Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
December 31, 2004 - January 07, 2005
LONG CHESS TABLE DONATED BY NILO DE JESUS
2-time Class B champion Jose Omega, left, playing against Manny Nedic in the 6th round of 2005 Open Chess Tournament on a long table donated by Nilo de Jesus to Knights and Rooks Chess Club on Jan. 11, 2004. Roberto Hernandez is playing against Ivan II Chess Computer using a wooden tournament size chessboard because Ivan II size is only 8".
(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)
CHESS MATE MARKS 3RD YEAR
CHESS in Palau started in June 09, 2002 while Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez started in Dec. 29, 2002.
During the 3rd year of continuous chess tournaments in Palau, Jose Omega had been a 2-time Class B champion.
But in the 2005 Open Chess Tournament held at Privilege Store from May 22-Sept. 25, Jose emerged as champion at last via rapid format playoff against Bong Alipoon as they end up with the same score of 12 wins, 2 losses and 1 draw.
Omega also won a playoff against Mike Miguel, Jr. for the Class B championship of 2003 Age Group Chess Tourney for his first Class B plum.
The first tournament of 2005, the 2005 Regular Chess Tournament held from Jan. 16-April 17, marks the 2nd time that there is a multiple titled Palau player in Menandro 'Boy' Manuel. But the trend continues as Roberto Hernandez dealt Manuel his first and only loss at the final round.
THE CHESS MATE LOGO IMPROVE TO THIS...
It is also in 2005 that Palau became a member of FIDE through the persistence of Roberto Hernandez and with the help from USA and Philippines Master Almario Marlon Bernardino, Jr., Mr. Manny Benitez (who passed away a few weeks ago--Jan. 2015), IA Gary Bekker, the late Honorary Lifetime President of FIDE Florencio Campomanes and Casto 'Toti' Abundo.
Mr. Campomanes words to the Presidential Board Meeting in Dresden, Germany is inspiring to the small countries like Palau --- "If we will not accept Palau as FIDE member, the other small nations who would like to join FIDE will be discouraged."
The last tournament of 2005 is the Rapid Chess Championship where 29 players have participated in a double round-robin format. It means, a player must play 56 games! Only Roberto was able to write the moves of all his games.
The tournament started in Oct. 23, 2005 and will conclude on Feb. 12, 2006. The 12 years and under category was not finished because only 3 contestants registered -- Arnel Vincoy, Jielton Cabierte, Ken Pastrana and Ivan II Chess Computer.
Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Pages 10 - 11
Volume 14
Issue 52
December 30, 2005-January 06, 2006
CHESS MATE MARKS 4TH YEAR;
LAPUZ WINS BLITZ TILT
THE END of 2006 marks the 4th year of this column.
Three major tournaments were held this year with the 2006 Palau Invitational Chess Championship being the highlight in the success in having Palau's top players to earn international ranking by playing FIDE rated players from New Zealand, Australia and Philippines.
This year also produced the first Palau National Master: Menandro 'Boy' Manuel and Manny Nedic, who earned their titles by topping the 2006 Palau National Chess Championship.
In the last tournament of the year, the 2006 Rapid Chess tourney, veteran-newcomer Tony Villa shared the title with Manuel, who won five titles since 2003.
He is the second multi-titled chess player in Palau. The first one was Eddie Grefiel with three, who left Palau for greener pasture.
The other chess champions with one title each are Consul General Julius Torres, Edgardo Enarsao, Roberto Hernandez, Jess Toldoya, Nedic, Villa and Jose Omega, who won 2 consecutive Class B Championships before winning his first one in the 2005 Open.
During the Christmas party of Knights and Rooks Chess Club held on Sunday, December 24 at Jean's Boutique and Store premises, newcomer Rey Lapuz topped the blitz chess festival for unrated players.
He hesitated to join in two previous tournaments as he is bound to be playing against Palau best.
With lower rated players in the field, he showed his wares against fellow newcomers Emmie Buyacao and Andy Estargo.
He lost only one game, to Val Vidar, the first runner-up in the unrated division of Ambassador Marino Cup Rapid Chess tournament.
He clobbered Koror State Legal Counsel Craig Dittrich in their first game of this double round-robin event. That sets up the climactic championship match in their last game.
If Dittrich would win, they will share the cash and title. If Lapuz would win, he will win his first ever chess title.
It is meant to be as he outwitted Dittrich, who is in time trouble as usual but had a great start with two straight victories.
FINAL STANDINGS OF THE PLAYERS & THEIR WIN-LOSS-DRAW SLATE:
1. Rey Lapuz (7-1-0) 2. Craig Dittrich (5-3-0) 3. Val Vidar (4-4-0) 4. Emmie Buyacao (2-6-0) 5. Andy Estargo (2-6-0)
Anselmo Idol paid his registration fee of $5.00 but his job responsibilities didn't allow him to play even a single game. His fee will be returned.
The rated division's blitz chess tourney didn't push through as there were not enough players. Edwin Eti and Tony Villa went to Philippines with Villa coming back on January 04.
Palau best junior player Dmitri Villanueva also didn't make it in the unrated division's blitz tourney. His mother called Roberto Hernandez and informed him that Dmitri is willing to participate in the next tournament where the top players of Palau will be participating.
Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
December 29, 2006 - January 04, 2007
CHESS MATE MARKS 5 YEARS
THE FIRST ISSUE of "Chess Mate" by Roberto Hernandez in December 29, 2002 was the start of the growing of the sport of chess in Palau.
The first six tournaments held produced six different champions with different styles of play. Eddie Grefiel, a civil engineer of Daewoo Corp. and the first multi-winner, is a positional player while Consul General Julius Torres , the 2002 Open Champion, is an aggressive and humorous wood pusher.
Palau number one Menandro 'Boy' Manuel won six titles in 4 years including the 2nd Palau Invitational Chess Championship (The Ambassador Marino Cup) held in September 15-21, 2007 where he was the co-champion with top seed Boris Michael Diez of the Philippines. His style of play is modern, positional and rarely makes mistakes.
Edgardo Enarsao, the 2003 Age Group Chess tourney Class A champion is a defensive specialist but his effective attacking style is pinpoint and brutal. He studied the game very seriously and had a perfect attendance in the 2003 Open chess tournament.
The year-ending 2003 Senior and Junior Open Chess tourney was Roberto Hernandez' first title in Palau. He studied his opponents' style of play that proved decisive in his game against Palau no. 3 Cyril Montel, Jr., who has yet to win a title after being runner-ups in numerous occasions.
The 2004 Non-master Chess tournament produced another champion in Jess Toldoya, the "draw master", who maybe the finest defensive player ala Tigran Petrosian, the Soviet World Chess Champion in the late '60's.
Jose Omega, the 2005 Regular Chess champion, was twice Class B champion before winning the title over Bong Alipoon in a one-game play-off. He is also a serious student of the game and a very good chess puzzle solver. He was the innovator of Four Knights Defense's 13th move, that gives back the sacrificed piece to gain a decisive advantage. He won the rated division of the 1st Ambassador Marino Cup over Hernandez in another one-game play-off to keep the trophy but split the $300.00 cash prize with Hernandez.
Tony Villa's coming to Palau improved the blitz chess quality of games with his unselfish sharing of his knowledge in the art of speed chess. He won the Rapid Chess tournament in 2006-2007 with Manuel as co-champion and won all but one blitz chess competitions held after the regular games are over. He was trained by Philippines National Master Allan Saysot and currently leading the Rapid Chess tournament where only 6 games were played during the Christmas break.
Andres 'Aying' Mestizo played 2 games against Hernandez in Dormitory 1 of Palau Royal Resort in December 26, 2007. In their first game, Mestizo introduced a different approach to Dutch Defense 2. d5 and Hernandez spent 3 minutes in his very second move and later running out of time.
With Aying missing a mate in one, Hernandez seized the initiative and won a piece. With an overwhelming advantage of 4 points, Mestizo escaped with a draw by stalemate. Hernandez easily won the second match.
Next in Aying's line-up was Koror State Legal Counsel Craig Dittrich, who won the first game but lost the second one. And in the only 2 games of the game day Sunday, Dec. 30 at Jean's Boutique and Store, Dittrich mated Dennis Gonzales with only 10 seconds remaining in his clock and he's got 3 queens to get the job done!
It rarely occurs in chess, where a maximum of 9 queens can occur. Gonzales bounced back from defeat and avenged his loss to end the year in a winning note.
Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Volume 18
Issue 01
January 4-10, 2008
CHESS MATE MARKS 6TH YEAR
SINCE THE first issue of Chess Mate in December 29, 2002, sixteen (16) major chess tournament have been held, two were invitational with foreign players from New Zealand, Australia and Philippines participated and enabled the top chess players of Palau to gain international rankings.
The first tournament ever in Palau was held in June 09, 2002 with Eddie Grefiel, a civil engineer of Daewoo Corporation bagging the first of his 3 titles.
Philippine Consul General Julius Torres, who is now the Ambassador of the Philippines in one of the Middle East countries, claimed his only title in the 2002 Open Chess tournament participated in by 28 chess players (4 Palauans, 2 Americans and 22 Filipinos), while reigning Palau top player Menandro 'Boy' Manuel won the first of his 6 titles in his first ever participation: the 2003 Open Chess tourney.
He won the 2005 Regular Chess tilt, the 2005-2006 Rapid Chess tournament, became the 2nd Palau National Master by winning the 2006 National Chess championship with co-champion Manny Nedic, Palau first NM.
He also shared the title with blitz chess expert Tony Villa in year-ending 2006 Rapid Chess Festival. He is also the top Palau performer in the inaugural Palau Invitational Chess Championship won by Hilton Bennett of New Zealand.
He also shared the title of the second PICC (now known as the Ambassador Marino Cup) with Boris Michael Diez, number 86th rated player of the Philippines. He is currently leading the ongoing National Chess Championship with just a single loss -- to Craig Dittrich, who also beaten and snapped Tony Villa's 7-game winning streak.
The Class A of 2003 Age Group Chess tourney was won by Edgardo Enarsao and Jose Omega won his first 2 Class B championships while Jayrome Soriano became the first Palau junior champion.
In the 2003 Senior and Junior Chess tournament, Roberto Hernandez got his first of 2 titles and Charles Aquino dominated the juniors for two consecutive tourneys before going back to Philippines.
The 2004 Non-Master Chess tourney was won by Jess Toldoya. He received $100.00 prize donated by Jose Omega.
The 2004 Open and 2004 Rapid Chess tilts gave Grefiel his 2nd and 3rd titles with Omega getting his 2nd Class B title.
The 2004 Open also produced the first ever Italian champion in a one-day blitz chess tournament held on August 01, with Andrea Buriani, an Italian tourist, emerging undefeated in speed chess.
Omega finally claimed his first Class A title by winning the 2005 Open. He was tied with Bong Alipoon and won a sudden-death match to break the tie. When he won the rated division of the inaugural Ambassador Marino Cup, he also won a sudden-death match with Hernandez to claim the title and they split the $300.00 cash prize for 1st and 2nd place.
Vincent Vergara won the unrated division, Ken Pastrana won the junior plum and Hernandez' beautiful and younger looking wife Flor won the women's division. She is currently the receipient of 2008 Perfect Attendance award at Dragon Tei restaurant.
The 2007 Palau Royal Resort Rating Chess Tournament took place in the second month of Hernandez' tenure as musician at PRR. He topped the tournament followed by Dennis Lara and Jaime Guevarra. The two are now regular competitors of Palau Chess Federation's regular tournaments. The 2008 PRR Rapid Chess tourney was not finished because many players left the island.
Palau first ever participation in 2008 World Chess Olympiad, held every 2 years, almost came to reality. But because of world economic breakdown and a week late in submitting their application for Schengen visa, the last two players that got sponsorship for the trip to Dresden, Germany --Roberto Hernandez and Gene Pastrana, finally realized the main problem of getting to play outside Palau-- the isolated location.
Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
December 29, 2008 - January 04, 2009
RETIRED TOP AUSSIE GRANDMASTER
Grandmaster (GM) Ian Rogers, right, has been the top GM of Australia for a while. Due to illness, he retired before the 2009 Oceania Zonal Chess Championship. But he still shared his help and promotion of the game by analyzing the live games of the top 4 boards of the event, live on the internet. His retirement was somehow "offset" by the victory of David Smerdon to become the new and 4th GM of Australia. He is pictured here with Palau lone representative Roberto Hernandez, Palau Royal Resort's musician and Tia Belau News chess columnist. (Photo by: Joselito Marcos)
CHESS MATE MARKS 7TH YEAR
SINCE THE first issue of Chess Mate in December 29, 2002, 17 major chess tournament have been held, two were invitational with foreign players from New Zealand, Australia and the Philippines participated and enabled the top chess players of Palau gained international rankings.
The first chess tournament ever in Palau was held in June 09, 2002 with Eddie Grefiel, a civil engineer of Daewoo Corp. bagging the first of his 3 chess titles.
Philippine Consul General Julius Torres, who is now the Ambassador of the Philippines in one of the Middle East country, claimed his only title in the 2002 Open Chess tournament participated in by 28 chess players (4 Palauans, 2 Americans and 22 Filipinos), while reigning Palau's top player Menandro 'Boy' Manuel won the first of his 6 titles in his first ever participation: the 2003 Open Chess tourney.
He won the 2005 Regular Chess tilt, the 2005-2006 Rapid Chess tournament, became the 2nd Palau National Master by winning the 2006 National Chess championship with co-champion Manny Nedic, Palau's first NM.
He also shared the title with blitz chess expert Tony Villa in year-ending 2006 Rapid Chess Festival. He is also the top Palau performer in the inaugural Palau Invitational Chess Championship won by Hilton Bennett of New Zealand.
He also shared the title of the second PICC (now known as the Ambassador Marino Cup) with Boris Michael Diez, number 86th rated player of the Philippines.
Manuel is currently one of the leaders in the 2009 Palau National Chess Championship with 6 wins and a loss, third best only to Cyril Montel, Jr. with a perfect 7-0 start after trouncing Romeo Caballes in 20 moves of Giocco Piano last Sunday, December 27 in the resumption of NCC.
Bernard Garcia is in 2nd place with an identical record with Boy. Montel, Jr. will try to win his first ever and elusive chess title in Palau. He's been runner-ups in many occasions. A win over Bernard and Menandro will clinch him the championship.
Paquito 'Pax' Suringa, Jr. suffered his second loss in two weeks by bowing to Caballes in a special game held on Tuesday at D. J. Cruz General Merchandise premises, the official tournament site, in the resumption of Palau NCC.
The Class A of 2003 Age Group Chess tourney was won by Edgardo Enarsao and Jose Omega won his first 2 Class B championships while Jayrome Soriano became the first Palau junior champion.
In the 2003 Senior and Junior Chess tournament, Roberto Hernandez got his first of 2 titles and Charles Aquino dominated the juniors for two consecutive tourneys before going back to Philippines.
The 2004 Non-Master Chess tourney was won by Jess Toldoya. He received $100.00 prize donated by Jose Omega.
The 2004 Open and 2004 Rapid Chess tilts gave Grefiel his 2nd and 3rd titles with Omega getting his 2nd Class B title.
The 2004 Open also produced the first ever Italian champion in a one-day blitz chess tournament held on August 01, with Andrea Buriani, an Italian tourist, emerging undefeated in speed chess.
Omega finally claimed his first Class A title by winning the 2005 Open. He was tied with Bong Alipoon and won a sudden-death match break the tie. When he won the rated division of the inaugural Ambassador Marino Cup, he also won a sudden-death match with Hernandez to claim the title and they split the $300.00 cash prize for 1st and 2nd place.
Vincent Vergara won the unrated division, Ken Pastrana won the junior plum and Hernandez' beautiful and younger looking wife Flor won the women's division. She is currently the receipient of 2008 Perfect Attendance award at Dragon Tei restaurant.
The 2007 Palau Royal Resort Rating Chess Tournament took place in the second month of Hernandez' tenure as musician at PRR. He topped the tournament followed by Dennis Lara and Jaime Guevarra. The two are now regular competitors of Palau Chess Federation's regular tournaments. The 2008 PRR Rapid Chess tourney was not finished because many players left the island.
Palau first ever participation in 2008 World Chess Olympiad, held every 2 years, almost came to reality. But because of world economic breakdown and a week late in submitting their application for Schengen visa, the last two players that got sponsorship for the trip to Dresden, Germany --Roberto Hernandez and Gene Pastrana, finally realized the main problem of getting to play outside Palau-- the isolated location.
Through the generosity of Oceania Zone President Gary Bekker, Hernandez became the first Palau player to participate in Oceania Zonal Chess Championship held in Australia (June 2009).
Hernandez also attended the Zonal Chess Meeting with FIDE General Secretary Ignatius Leong and other officials from New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Palau and Solomon Islands.
One of the highlights of that meeting is that the smallest nation (Palau)has more regular chess news, because of CHESS MATE.
C H E E R S ! ! ! I'm wishing everyone a prosperous New Year!
Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Volume 19
Issue 01
January 04-10, 2010
PALAU TEAM OF 2 IN RUSSIA
Tito Cabunagan (left) and Roberto Hernandez (right)
MINIMUM OF 3 PLAYERS
To be allowed to play in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia 2010 World Chess Olympiad, a team must have at least 3 members. In Palau's case, only 2 players made it--Roberto Hernandez and Tito Cabunagan. They were not allowed to play because their team captain Jamie Kenmure is listed under Australia while their Delegate Jan-Olav Berglund is not listed in Sweden and USA but can't show any stamp in his passport that he's been to Palau at least once.
Source: Australasia Chess Magazine
(Contributed photo of Brian Jones from Australasian Chess Magazine)
CHESS MATE MARKS 8TH YEAR
THE HIGHLIGHTS on the 8th year of Chess Mate were the participation of Palau in the 2010 World Chess Olympiad in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia and the ongoing 2010-2011 Palau National Chess Championship.
Although they were not allowed to play due to shortness of a single player, Roberto Hernandez and Tito Cabunagan were able to make it to Russia. A minimum of 3 players is required for a team that started in 2008 World Chess Olympiad in Dresden, Germany.
The duo just became observers and tourists with free food and hotel accommodation in the twin Hotel Olympic. Their Australian team captain, Jamie Kenmure, was not allowed to play for Palau also as there is a process in changing federation.
Their Swedish Delegate, Jan Berglund, was not allowed also to play when he can't show proof that he's been to Palau at least once.
The Olympiad was held from Sept. 20 - Oct. 04, 2010 with 144 countries participating in the best -hosted Olympiad ever.
Since the first issue of Chess Mate in Dec. 29, 2002, 17 major chess tournaments were held, 2 were invitational with foreign players from New Zealand, Australia and Philippines participated and enabled the top 6 players of Palau to gain international rankings.
Today, in Sept. 2010 FIDE ratings list, Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. and Menandro 'Boy' Manuel are in the top ten of Other Oceania Players with Cyril at no. 6 with 1942 and Boy at no. 9 with 1906.
Joselito Marcos is still the top in this division followed by Shaun Press, also of PNG.
The FIDE rated 2009 Palau National Chess Championship enabled Hernandez (1883) to dislodged Gene Pastrana as No. 3 chess player of Palau with an improvement of only 3
points and Pastrana dropping at 4th after losing 116 points because of his withdrawal more than halfway from the event.
Manuel 'Jun' Mahor got his international rating of 1662 followed by Romeo Caballes, Bernardo Garcia and Michael Mercado with identical 1629 rating.
Palau Royal Resort's Paquito 'Pax' Suringa, Jr. is in solo 9th place with 1602 followed by Craig Dittrich (1569) and Elpidio Manaligod with 1540.
In the resumption of play at PRR Dorm 1 on Sunday, Dec. 26, Jun Mahor is now 2-2 (win-loss) after subduing Jeffrey Negrillo in 35 moves of King's Pawn Opening. Jeff is still looking for the elusive first point.
He is now eager to face another Jeff on Sunday, Jan. 02 at 1:00 pm. Jeff Balbalosa, an employee of Surangel's, was accommodated to replace the slot of Jimboy de Jesus, who has withdrawn from the event 3 weeks ago. Jeff will play Ferdinand 'Bong' Gutierrez after his game with Negrillo.
The prospect of having 2 players from Palau to participate in the 2011 Oceania Zonal Chess Championship in Rotorua, New Zealand will be known on Sunday after the employer of Mohammad Manik Hossain come back from Hawaii.
If Manik will be allowed to go, he will replace Tito for the chance to play in his first international event participation. The Zonal will be held from Jan. 25-31, 2011. An airfare subsidy of $300.00 each is offered to both players.
Paul Spiller, the President of New Zealand Chess Federation, chatted with Hernandez on Dec. 31 about the latest development asking: "Hello, Roberto, are you able to confirm your trip to NZ yet or does it look as though that you will not be able to come. I need to confirm or cancel accommodation bookings very soon."
Hernandez replied: " I have just sent you an email 5 minutes ago." It reads as follows:
"Dear Paul and Brian, I wish you both and your family a prosperous and terrific new year 2011. Mohammad Manik Hossain, who will replace Tito, will know on Sunday, Jan. 02, if he will be allowed by his employer to go with me in Rotorua. I know his boss, Uchel Tmechtul. I played piano in the reception of his wedding at Airai View Hotel in 1995. I might talk to him to let Manik go. He gave me $20.00 tip last Dec. 3 after requesting 2 Filipino songs. He's with Palau President Johnson Toribiong and a Congressman that night at Breeze Bar of Palau Royal Resort. The other day (Dec. 29) was the 8th year that I've been writing "Chess Mate" by Roberto Hernandez at Tia Belau Newspaper, Palau first newspaper. I've been doing it for free but I was able to promote chess in Palau for 8 years. These last 4 years, they are not editing my writing. Whatever I write, they will publish it. Whatever picture I want to be published, they will publish it.
On Jan. 02, also, is my 55th birthday. There are games to be played in the resumption of 2010-2011 Palau National Chess Championship and I'll be happy to accommodate a late entree to play as many games as he can to catch up.
This PNCC is limited only to 15 players but 2 have withdrawn and now there is one late entree so we're 14 now. That's all for now and again, thank you so much for helping Palau chess move forward. Best wishes for the year 2011!!! Roberto
In the latest development, Manik played an official game against Jeff Balbalosa, the late participant at 1:00 pm instead of Jeff-Jeff match because Manik has to work at 3:00 pm.
In a show of defensive prowess and attacking style, Manik clobbered Balbalosa in 40 moves of Scandinavian Defense. He's now won 7 games and lost 5.
In his delight, he promise to buy one case of soda for all employees of PRR living in Dorm 1 if he will beat Palau top player Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. in his last game.
Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Volume 20
Issue 1
January 03, 2011
PENULTIMATE ROUND MATCH. The game of Jeff Balbalosa, right, vs. Bernard Garcia, left, is one of the turning point of 3rd PIICC. The loss of Garcia enabled Paquito Suringa, Jr., 2nd from right, to finish 5th. Joselito Marcos, center, and joint winner of the event, poses together with Roberto Hernandez before the start of the game.
CHESS MATE MARKS 9TH YEAR
REY ALENAIN'S LAST DAY IN PALAU
Hernandez' roommate at PRR Dorm 1 in the last 5 years, Rey Alenain, left, finally left Palau for good on Dec. 27, 2013. He is the most responsible co-employee Hernandez ever knew. He gave him a t-shirt from Istanbul, Turkey which he proudly wears many times. He's the 1st runner-up to Miguel Gancayco in a PRR Rapid Chess Tourney. GOOD LUCK TO A FRIEND, A HUSBAND AND AN INSPIRATION TO MANY. HE WILL BE SURELY MISSED BY MANY. (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)
CHESS MATE MARKS 11TH YEAR;
PCF WEBSITE IS 2 YEARS OLD
WE ARE 1 YEAR OLD!
(CHESS MATE by Roberto Hernandez)
WITH THIS 54th installment, our column marks its first anniversary since Tia Belau began publishing us. How time flies!
There have been three chess tournaments held in three different venues. The first was the 2003 Open held at Image Restaurant & Sports Bar from January 12-April 27. Menandro 'Boy' Manuel of Surangel and Sons won the tourney in his very first participation.
The second was the 2003 Age Group Chess tournament, held at the TFCP (The Filipino Community in Palau) office premises from May 25-August 24. It started to separate the younger players from senior wood-pushers. Edgardo Enarsao bagged the senior title and Jayrome Soriano became the first junior champion.
Then came the season-ending 2003 Senior and Junior Open held at C & N Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Services premises from Sept. 21-Dec. 14. Roberto Hernandez and Charles Aquino won the top prizes in their respective divisions to cap the year of competitive and exciting chess development.
The first tournament of 2004 will be Non-masters Chess tournament that is open to all players with a rating of 2199 and below. It will start on January 11 at Paul Brothers Tri-M General Merchandise and Food Retail in Malakal. Its manager, Jojie Casinas, will donate trophies for the top five finishers in the adults and kids categories.
The new ratings of the senior players are as follows: 1. Ivan II Chess Computer (1993) 2. Roberto Hernandez (1879) 3. Menandro Manuel (1794) 4. Cyril Montel, Jr. (1782) 5. Jimmy Valenzuela (1742) 6. Jose Omega (1708) 7. Bong Alipoon (1701) 8. Mike Miguel, Jr. (1695) 9. Danny Dandoy (1662) 10. Eugene Koh (1651) 11. Nilo de Jesus (1623) 12. Jun Mahor (1620) 13. Mariano Agustin, Jr. (1617) 14. Mario Ramos (1584) 15. Jess Toldoya (1579) 16. Amante Caballero (1573) 17. Ben Ramos (1515) 18. Tutii Joe Chilton (1510) 19. Rolando Funa (1491) 20. Francis Cuenco (1452) 21. Norbert Villanueva (1452). Newcomers will start with a rating of 1500.
Four senior players (Manuel, Valenzuela, Dandoy and Koh) are on vacation and some of them will miss the opening day but they can still catch up and will have to play at least 2 games every Sunday. Valenzuela's schedule is still the same. He requested that if he did not make it at 5:30 pm, to lose by default to his scheduled opponent.
CHAMP, ARTIST AND HOST
Key people behind the success of the recently-concluded 2003 Senior and Junior Open Chess tournament are from left: Roberto Hernandez, senior champion, Hirm Isechal, trophy artist, and Nilo de Jesus, tournament venue host and trophies sponsor.
(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)
Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Page 13
January 02-09, 2004
WE'RE NOW 2 YEARS OLD
HOW TIME flies! Chess Mate is now two years old without missing a single issue, not even when the author had a six-week vacation in the Philippines from May 29 to July 10, 2004.
A lot have been accomplished with the help of so many people and sponsors of the eight tournaments that have been held in Palau. Contributions of players' knowledge about the game and their participation produced a lot of quality games at par with other countries.
With Chess Mate on its third year, more recent developments around the chess world will be shared to its readers.
THE NEW AND UPDATED RATINGS FOR THE 2005 REGULAR CHESS TOURNAMENT TO BE HELD ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 16 ARE AS FOLLOWS:
1. Eddie Grefiel (2091) 2. Roberto Hernandez (2034) 3. Ivan II Chess Computer (2032) 4. Menandro Manuel (1948) 5. Cyril Montel, Jr. (1940) 6. Jose Omega (1921) 7. Jimboy de Jesus (1889) 8. Jess Toldoya (1883) 9. Jimmy Valenzuela (1878) 10. Mike Miguel, Jr. (1843) 11. Bong Alipoon (1819) 12. Danny Dandoy (1793) 13. Lin de Guzman (1776) 14. Mario Ramos (1746) 15. Joel Azana (1697) 16. Morton Sawaichi (1654) 17. Dennis Gonzales (1647) 18. Gene Pastrana (1646) 19. Mariano Agustin, Jr. (1636) 20. Den Canaria (1599) 21. Wilson Milambiling (1599) 22. Gerry Sermeno (1583) 23. Pastor Fontanilla (1560) and Tutii Joe Chilton (1510).
De Jesus earned the most points (179) for his exemplary performance in the recently concluded 2004 Rapid Chess tournament held beside his residence. (Home-court advantage?)
Pastrana is second with 146 followed by Montel, Jr. (141) and Omega (140). Azana (111) and Most Improved Player Lin de Guzman completes the list of triple digit points earners while Agustin, Jr. was the only one who lost rating points due to his struggling performance in the 2004 Rapid Chess tournament.
AND SPEAKING OF RAPID CHESS, ROBERTO HERNANDEZ WOULD LIKE TO SHARE A NEWSPAPER CLIPPING THAT HE COLLECTED WHILE HE WAS WORKING IN THE MIDDLE EAST (BAHRAIN) AS MUSICIAN IN KHAYAM TAVERNA (GREEK RESTAURANT) WITH PARTNER ANTONIS SERGIO, A CYPRIOT BOUZUKI PLAYER.
The Khaleej Times December 13, 1988 issue reported the first World Rapid Chess Championship, then referred to as "Active", as follows:
KARPOV HAS AN EASY FIRST ROUND VICTORY
Dmazatlan (Mexico) -- Some of the globe's top chess players battled against each other and the clock on Sunday at the opening of the first World Active Chess Championship.
Former world champion Anatoly Karpov of the Soviet Union won his first round match well within the time limit but others took their games to the wire in the $150,000 tournament of rapid chess.
While Karpov appeared to have little difficulty with fellow Soviet Nana Ioseliani, other players found their pieces literally flying off the board as they as they attempted to finish their matches within the 60-minute time limit.
Walter Browne of the United States frantically made his final moves against cool 14-year old Hungarian Zsofia Polgar before the two agreed to a first round draw.
Active chess is an attempt to make the sport palatable for a mass television audience.
"In general it's less beautiful but it's much more exciting, even for the players," said Horst Metzing, general secretary of the West German Chess Federation.
Unlike traditional chess where single matches can last over six hours, active chess matches must be finished within an hour with each player having 30 minutes to make his moves.
The active form is an effort by chess players and promoters to gain a larger audience and television coverage for a sport traditionally limited to a hard core following of afficionados.
With increased popularity, there will be more money for national and international chess federations as well as for players, tourney organizers said.
"If television is interested, the sponsors are interested," Metzing said.
The Active Chess Championship, being played through Saturday in Mazatlan on Mexico's Pacific coast, is being televised to the United States and Europe by a Mexican television network.
And finally, in the 1998 World Under 14 Rapid Chess Championship, Mark Paragua captured the title and is now the Philippines number one rated player with an ELO rating of 2534, ahead of Grandmaster Rogelio Antonio, Jr. and Asia's first Grandmaster Eugene Torre.
Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
December 31, 2004 - January 07, 2005
2-time Class B champion Jose Omega, left, playing against Manny Nedic in the 6th round of 2005 Open Chess Tournament on a long table donated by Nilo de Jesus to Knights and Rooks Chess Club on Jan. 11, 2004. Roberto Hernandez is playing against Ivan II Chess Computer using a wooden tournament size chessboard because Ivan II size is only 8".
(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)
CHESS MATE MARKS 3RD YEAR
CHESS in Palau started in June 09, 2002 while Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez started in Dec. 29, 2002.
During the 3rd year of continuous chess tournaments in Palau, Jose Omega had been a 2-time Class B champion.
But in the 2005 Open Chess Tournament held at Privilege Store from May 22-Sept. 25, Jose emerged as champion at last via rapid format playoff against Bong Alipoon as they end up with the same score of 12 wins, 2 losses and 1 draw.
Omega also won a playoff against Mike Miguel, Jr. for the Class B championship of 2003 Age Group Chess Tourney for his first Class B plum.
The first tournament of 2005, the 2005 Regular Chess Tournament held from Jan. 16-April 17, marks the 2nd time that there is a multiple titled Palau player in Menandro 'Boy' Manuel. But the trend continues as Roberto Hernandez dealt Manuel his first and only loss at the final round.
THE CHESS MATE LOGO IMPROVE TO THIS...
It is also in 2005 that Palau became a member of FIDE through the persistence of Roberto Hernandez and with the help from USA and Philippines Master Almario Marlon Bernardino, Jr., Mr. Manny Benitez (who passed away a few weeks ago--Jan. 2015), IA Gary Bekker, the late Honorary Lifetime President of FIDE Florencio Campomanes and Casto 'Toti' Abundo.
Mr. Campomanes words to the Presidential Board Meeting in Dresden, Germany is inspiring to the small countries like Palau --- "If we will not accept Palau as FIDE member, the other small nations who would like to join FIDE will be discouraged."
The last tournament of 2005 is the Rapid Chess Championship where 29 players have participated in a double round-robin format. It means, a player must play 56 games! Only Roberto was able to write the moves of all his games.
2005-2006 RAPID CHESS
TOURNAMENT
October 23, 2005 –
February 12, 2006
Double Round Robin
Venue: Jean’s
Boutique and Store
FINAL STANDINGS
Players
Win
Loss Draw Total
- MENANDRO MANUEL 48 6 2 49
- EDWIN ETI 45 9 2 46
- MANNY NEDIC 45 11 0 45
- CYRIL MONTEL, JR. 39 11 6 42
- BONG ALIPOON 39 11 6 42
- JIMMY VALENZUELA 40 13 3 41.5
- ROBERTO HERNANDEZ 40 14 2 41
- JOSE OMEGA 39 14 3 40.5
- JOSE MISAEL DE JESUS 40 15 1 40.5
- FELIX LAPITAN 30 18 8 34
- JOEVEN DELOS SANTOS 33 21 2 34
- JOEL AZANA 29 20 7 32.5
- IVAN II CHESS COMPUTER 15 7 34 32
- RODIANTE BALAGSO 30 23 3 31.5
- JESS GOMEZ 24 21 11 29.5
- GENE PASTRANA 23 22 11 28.5
- JERRY SERMENO 21 23 12 27
- DENNIS GONZALES 20 27 9 24.5
- MORTON SAWAICHI 19 34 3 20.5
- WILLIAM BLASQUINO 14 31 11 19.5
- FRANCIS TEMAUNGIL 19 37 0 19
- TUTII JOE CHILTON 17 37 2 18
- FLAVIN ANDRES 12 36 8 16
- ERNIE MIJARES 8 37 11 13.5
- ROGELIO MENOR 9 39 8 13
- EM-R DE VERA 8 38 10 13
- JOHN PASTRANA 6 46 4 8
- JAMES DELA CRUZ 3 48 5 5.5
- LITO SALAS 3 49 4 5
The tournament started in Oct. 23, 2005 and will conclude on Feb. 12, 2006. The 12 years and under category was not finished because only 3 contestants registered -- Arnel Vincoy, Jielton Cabierte, Ken Pastrana and Ivan II Chess Computer.
Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Pages 10 - 11
Volume 14
Issue 52
December 30, 2005-January 06, 2006
CHESS MATE MARKS 4TH YEAR;
LAPUZ WINS BLITZ TILT
THE END of 2006 marks the 4th year of this column.
Three major tournaments were held this year with the 2006 Palau Invitational Chess Championship being the highlight in the success in having Palau's top players to earn international ranking by playing FIDE rated players from New Zealand, Australia and Philippines.
This year also produced the first Palau National Master: Menandro 'Boy' Manuel and Manny Nedic, who earned their titles by topping the 2006 Palau National Chess Championship.
In the last tournament of the year, the 2006 Rapid Chess tourney, veteran-newcomer Tony Villa shared the title with Manuel, who won five titles since 2003.
He is the second multi-titled chess player in Palau. The first one was Eddie Grefiel with three, who left Palau for greener pasture.
The other chess champions with one title each are Consul General Julius Torres, Edgardo Enarsao, Roberto Hernandez, Jess Toldoya, Nedic, Villa and Jose Omega, who won 2 consecutive Class B Championships before winning his first one in the 2005 Open.
During the Christmas party of Knights and Rooks Chess Club held on Sunday, December 24 at Jean's Boutique and Store premises, newcomer Rey Lapuz topped the blitz chess festival for unrated players.
He hesitated to join in two previous tournaments as he is bound to be playing against Palau best.
With lower rated players in the field, he showed his wares against fellow newcomers Emmie Buyacao and Andy Estargo.
He lost only one game, to Val Vidar, the first runner-up in the unrated division of Ambassador Marino Cup Rapid Chess tournament.
He clobbered Koror State Legal Counsel Craig Dittrich in their first game of this double round-robin event. That sets up the climactic championship match in their last game.
If Dittrich would win, they will share the cash and title. If Lapuz would win, he will win his first ever chess title.
It is meant to be as he outwitted Dittrich, who is in time trouble as usual but had a great start with two straight victories.
FINAL STANDINGS OF THE PLAYERS & THEIR WIN-LOSS-DRAW SLATE:
1. Rey Lapuz (7-1-0) 2. Craig Dittrich (5-3-0) 3. Val Vidar (4-4-0) 4. Emmie Buyacao (2-6-0) 5. Andy Estargo (2-6-0)
Anselmo Idol paid his registration fee of $5.00 but his job responsibilities didn't allow him to play even a single game. His fee will be returned.
The rated division's blitz chess tourney didn't push through as there were not enough players. Edwin Eti and Tony Villa went to Philippines with Villa coming back on January 04.
Palau best junior player Dmitri Villanueva also didn't make it in the unrated division's blitz tourney. His mother called Roberto Hernandez and informed him that Dmitri is willing to participate in the next tournament where the top players of Palau will be participating.
Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
December 29, 2006 - January 04, 2007
CHESS MATE MARKS 5 YEARS
THE FIRST ISSUE of "Chess Mate" by Roberto Hernandez in December 29, 2002 was the start of the growing of the sport of chess in Palau.
The first six tournaments held produced six different champions with different styles of play. Eddie Grefiel, a civil engineer of Daewoo Corp. and the first multi-winner, is a positional player while Consul General Julius Torres , the 2002 Open Champion, is an aggressive and humorous wood pusher.
Palau number one Menandro 'Boy' Manuel won six titles in 4 years including the 2nd Palau Invitational Chess Championship (The Ambassador Marino Cup) held in September 15-21, 2007 where he was the co-champion with top seed Boris Michael Diez of the Philippines. His style of play is modern, positional and rarely makes mistakes.
Edgardo Enarsao, the 2003 Age Group Chess tourney Class A champion is a defensive specialist but his effective attacking style is pinpoint and brutal. He studied the game very seriously and had a perfect attendance in the 2003 Open chess tournament.
The year-ending 2003 Senior and Junior Open Chess tourney was Roberto Hernandez' first title in Palau. He studied his opponents' style of play that proved decisive in his game against Palau no. 3 Cyril Montel, Jr., who has yet to win a title after being runner-ups in numerous occasions.
The 2004 Non-master Chess tournament produced another champion in Jess Toldoya, the "draw master", who maybe the finest defensive player ala Tigran Petrosian, the Soviet World Chess Champion in the late '60's.
Jose Omega, the 2005 Regular Chess champion, was twice Class B champion before winning the title over Bong Alipoon in a one-game play-off. He is also a serious student of the game and a very good chess puzzle solver. He was the innovator of Four Knights Defense's 13th move, that gives back the sacrificed piece to gain a decisive advantage. He won the rated division of the 1st Ambassador Marino Cup over Hernandez in another one-game play-off to keep the trophy but split the $300.00 cash prize with Hernandez.
Tony Villa's coming to Palau improved the blitz chess quality of games with his unselfish sharing of his knowledge in the art of speed chess. He won the Rapid Chess tournament in 2006-2007 with Manuel as co-champion and won all but one blitz chess competitions held after the regular games are over. He was trained by Philippines National Master Allan Saysot and currently leading the Rapid Chess tournament where only 6 games were played during the Christmas break.
Andres 'Aying' Mestizo played 2 games against Hernandez in Dormitory 1 of Palau Royal Resort in December 26, 2007. In their first game, Mestizo introduced a different approach to Dutch Defense 2. d5 and Hernandez spent 3 minutes in his very second move and later running out of time.
With Aying missing a mate in one, Hernandez seized the initiative and won a piece. With an overwhelming advantage of 4 points, Mestizo escaped with a draw by stalemate. Hernandez easily won the second match.
Next in Aying's line-up was Koror State Legal Counsel Craig Dittrich, who won the first game but lost the second one. And in the only 2 games of the game day Sunday, Dec. 30 at Jean's Boutique and Store, Dittrich mated Dennis Gonzales with only 10 seconds remaining in his clock and he's got 3 queens to get the job done!
It rarely occurs in chess, where a maximum of 9 queens can occur. Gonzales bounced back from defeat and avenged his loss to end the year in a winning note.
Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Volume 18
Issue 01
January 4-10, 2008
CHESS MATE MARKS 6TH YEAR
SINCE THE first issue of Chess Mate in December 29, 2002, sixteen (16) major chess tournament have been held, two were invitational with foreign players from New Zealand, Australia and Philippines participated and enabled the top chess players of Palau to gain international rankings.
The first tournament ever in Palau was held in June 09, 2002 with Eddie Grefiel, a civil engineer of Daewoo Corporation bagging the first of his 3 titles.
Philippine Consul General Julius Torres, who is now the Ambassador of the Philippines in one of the Middle East countries, claimed his only title in the 2002 Open Chess tournament participated in by 28 chess players (4 Palauans, 2 Americans and 22 Filipinos), while reigning Palau top player Menandro 'Boy' Manuel won the first of his 6 titles in his first ever participation: the 2003 Open Chess tourney.
He won the 2005 Regular Chess tilt, the 2005-2006 Rapid Chess tournament, became the 2nd Palau National Master by winning the 2006 National Chess championship with co-champion Manny Nedic, Palau first NM.
He also shared the title with blitz chess expert Tony Villa in year-ending 2006 Rapid Chess Festival. He is also the top Palau performer in the inaugural Palau Invitational Chess Championship won by Hilton Bennett of New Zealand.
He also shared the title of the second PICC (now known as the Ambassador Marino Cup) with Boris Michael Diez, number 86th rated player of the Philippines. He is currently leading the ongoing National Chess Championship with just a single loss -- to Craig Dittrich, who also beaten and snapped Tony Villa's 7-game winning streak.
The Class A of 2003 Age Group Chess tourney was won by Edgardo Enarsao and Jose Omega won his first 2 Class B championships while Jayrome Soriano became the first Palau junior champion.
In the 2003 Senior and Junior Chess tournament, Roberto Hernandez got his first of 2 titles and Charles Aquino dominated the juniors for two consecutive tourneys before going back to Philippines.
The 2004 Non-Master Chess tourney was won by Jess Toldoya. He received $100.00 prize donated by Jose Omega.
The 2004 Open and 2004 Rapid Chess tilts gave Grefiel his 2nd and 3rd titles with Omega getting his 2nd Class B title.
The 2004 Open also produced the first ever Italian champion in a one-day blitz chess tournament held on August 01, with Andrea Buriani, an Italian tourist, emerging undefeated in speed chess.
Omega finally claimed his first Class A title by winning the 2005 Open. He was tied with Bong Alipoon and won a sudden-death match to break the tie. When he won the rated division of the inaugural Ambassador Marino Cup, he also won a sudden-death match with Hernandez to claim the title and they split the $300.00 cash prize for 1st and 2nd place.
Vincent Vergara won the unrated division, Ken Pastrana won the junior plum and Hernandez' beautiful and younger looking wife Flor won the women's division. She is currently the receipient of 2008 Perfect Attendance award at Dragon Tei restaurant.
The 2007 Palau Royal Resort Rating Chess Tournament took place in the second month of Hernandez' tenure as musician at PRR. He topped the tournament followed by Dennis Lara and Jaime Guevarra. The two are now regular competitors of Palau Chess Federation's regular tournaments. The 2008 PRR Rapid Chess tourney was not finished because many players left the island.
Palau first ever participation in 2008 World Chess Olympiad, held every 2 years, almost came to reality. But because of world economic breakdown and a week late in submitting their application for Schengen visa, the last two players that got sponsorship for the trip to Dresden, Germany --Roberto Hernandez and Gene Pastrana, finally realized the main problem of getting to play outside Palau-- the isolated location.
Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
December 29, 2008 - January 04, 2009
Grandmaster (GM) Ian Rogers, right, has been the top GM of Australia for a while. Due to illness, he retired before the 2009 Oceania Zonal Chess Championship. But he still shared his help and promotion of the game by analyzing the live games of the top 4 boards of the event, live on the internet. His retirement was somehow "offset" by the victory of David Smerdon to become the new and 4th GM of Australia. He is pictured here with Palau lone representative Roberto Hernandez, Palau Royal Resort's musician and Tia Belau News chess columnist. (Photo by: Joselito Marcos)
CHESS MATE MARKS 7TH YEAR
SINCE THE first issue of Chess Mate in December 29, 2002, 17 major chess tournament have been held, two were invitational with foreign players from New Zealand, Australia and the Philippines participated and enabled the top chess players of Palau gained international rankings.
The first chess tournament ever in Palau was held in June 09, 2002 with Eddie Grefiel, a civil engineer of Daewoo Corp. bagging the first of his 3 chess titles.
Philippine Consul General Julius Torres, who is now the Ambassador of the Philippines in one of the Middle East country, claimed his only title in the 2002 Open Chess tournament participated in by 28 chess players (4 Palauans, 2 Americans and 22 Filipinos), while reigning Palau's top player Menandro 'Boy' Manuel won the first of his 6 titles in his first ever participation: the 2003 Open Chess tourney.
He won the 2005 Regular Chess tilt, the 2005-2006 Rapid Chess tournament, became the 2nd Palau National Master by winning the 2006 National Chess championship with co-champion Manny Nedic, Palau's first NM.
He also shared the title with blitz chess expert Tony Villa in year-ending 2006 Rapid Chess Festival. He is also the top Palau performer in the inaugural Palau Invitational Chess Championship won by Hilton Bennett of New Zealand.
He also shared the title of the second PICC (now known as the Ambassador Marino Cup) with Boris Michael Diez, number 86th rated player of the Philippines.
Manuel is currently one of the leaders in the 2009 Palau National Chess Championship with 6 wins and a loss, third best only to Cyril Montel, Jr. with a perfect 7-0 start after trouncing Romeo Caballes in 20 moves of Giocco Piano last Sunday, December 27 in the resumption of NCC.
Bernard Garcia is in 2nd place with an identical record with Boy. Montel, Jr. will try to win his first ever and elusive chess title in Palau. He's been runner-ups in many occasions. A win over Bernard and Menandro will clinch him the championship.
Paquito 'Pax' Suringa, Jr. suffered his second loss in two weeks by bowing to Caballes in a special game held on Tuesday at D. J. Cruz General Merchandise premises, the official tournament site, in the resumption of Palau NCC.
The Class A of 2003 Age Group Chess tourney was won by Edgardo Enarsao and Jose Omega won his first 2 Class B championships while Jayrome Soriano became the first Palau junior champion.
In the 2003 Senior and Junior Chess tournament, Roberto Hernandez got his first of 2 titles and Charles Aquino dominated the juniors for two consecutive tourneys before going back to Philippines.
The 2004 Non-Master Chess tourney was won by Jess Toldoya. He received $100.00 prize donated by Jose Omega.
The 2004 Open and 2004 Rapid Chess tilts gave Grefiel his 2nd and 3rd titles with Omega getting his 2nd Class B title.
The 2004 Open also produced the first ever Italian champion in a one-day blitz chess tournament held on August 01, with Andrea Buriani, an Italian tourist, emerging undefeated in speed chess.
Omega finally claimed his first Class A title by winning the 2005 Open. He was tied with Bong Alipoon and won a sudden-death match break the tie. When he won the rated division of the inaugural Ambassador Marino Cup, he also won a sudden-death match with Hernandez to claim the title and they split the $300.00 cash prize for 1st and 2nd place.
Vincent Vergara won the unrated division, Ken Pastrana won the junior plum and Hernandez' beautiful and younger looking wife Flor won the women's division. She is currently the receipient of 2008 Perfect Attendance award at Dragon Tei restaurant.
The 2007 Palau Royal Resort Rating Chess Tournament took place in the second month of Hernandez' tenure as musician at PRR. He topped the tournament followed by Dennis Lara and Jaime Guevarra. The two are now regular competitors of Palau Chess Federation's regular tournaments. The 2008 PRR Rapid Chess tourney was not finished because many players left the island.
Palau first ever participation in 2008 World Chess Olympiad, held every 2 years, almost came to reality. But because of world economic breakdown and a week late in submitting their application for Schengen visa, the last two players that got sponsorship for the trip to Dresden, Germany --Roberto Hernandez and Gene Pastrana, finally realized the main problem of getting to play outside Palau-- the isolated location.
Through the generosity of Oceania Zone President Gary Bekker, Hernandez became the first Palau player to participate in Oceania Zonal Chess Championship held in Australia (June 2009).
Hernandez also attended the Zonal Chess Meeting with FIDE General Secretary Ignatius Leong and other officials from New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Palau and Solomon Islands.
One of the highlights of that meeting is that the smallest nation (Palau)has more regular chess news, because of CHESS MATE.
C H E E R S ! ! ! I'm wishing everyone a prosperous New Year!
Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Volume 19
Issue 01
January 04-10, 2010
Tito Cabunagan (left) and Roberto Hernandez (right)
To be allowed to play in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia 2010 World Chess Olympiad, a team must have at least 3 members. In Palau's case, only 2 players made it--Roberto Hernandez and Tito Cabunagan. They were not allowed to play because their team captain Jamie Kenmure is listed under Australia while their Delegate Jan-Olav Berglund is not listed in Sweden and USA but can't show any stamp in his passport that he's been to Palau at least once.
Source: Australasia Chess Magazine
(Contributed photo of Brian Jones from Australasian Chess Magazine)
CHESS MATE MARKS 8TH YEAR
THE HIGHLIGHTS on the 8th year of Chess Mate were the participation of Palau in the 2010 World Chess Olympiad in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia and the ongoing 2010-2011 Palau National Chess Championship.
Although they were not allowed to play due to shortness of a single player, Roberto Hernandez and Tito Cabunagan were able to make it to Russia. A minimum of 3 players is required for a team that started in 2008 World Chess Olympiad in Dresden, Germany.
The duo just became observers and tourists with free food and hotel accommodation in the twin Hotel Olympic. Their Australian team captain, Jamie Kenmure, was not allowed to play for Palau also as there is a process in changing federation.
Their Swedish Delegate, Jan Berglund, was not allowed also to play when he can't show proof that he's been to Palau at least once.
The Olympiad was held from Sept. 20 - Oct. 04, 2010 with 144 countries participating in the best -hosted Olympiad ever.
Since the first issue of Chess Mate in Dec. 29, 2002, 17 major chess tournaments were held, 2 were invitational with foreign players from New Zealand, Australia and Philippines participated and enabled the top 6 players of Palau to gain international rankings.
Today, in Sept. 2010 FIDE ratings list, Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. and Menandro 'Boy' Manuel are in the top ten of Other Oceania Players with Cyril at no. 6 with 1942 and Boy at no. 9 with 1906.
Joselito Marcos is still the top in this division followed by Shaun Press, also of PNG.
The FIDE rated 2009 Palau National Chess Championship enabled Hernandez (1883) to dislodged Gene Pastrana as No. 3 chess player of Palau with an improvement of only 3
points and Pastrana dropping at 4th after losing 116 points because of his withdrawal more than halfway from the event.
Manuel 'Jun' Mahor got his international rating of 1662 followed by Romeo Caballes, Bernardo Garcia and Michael Mercado with identical 1629 rating.
Palau Royal Resort's Paquito 'Pax' Suringa, Jr. is in solo 9th place with 1602 followed by Craig Dittrich (1569) and Elpidio Manaligod with 1540.
In the resumption of play at PRR Dorm 1 on Sunday, Dec. 26, Jun Mahor is now 2-2 (win-loss) after subduing Jeffrey Negrillo in 35 moves of King's Pawn Opening. Jeff is still looking for the elusive first point.
He is now eager to face another Jeff on Sunday, Jan. 02 at 1:00 pm. Jeff Balbalosa, an employee of Surangel's, was accommodated to replace the slot of Jimboy de Jesus, who has withdrawn from the event 3 weeks ago. Jeff will play Ferdinand 'Bong' Gutierrez after his game with Negrillo.
The prospect of having 2 players from Palau to participate in the 2011 Oceania Zonal Chess Championship in Rotorua, New Zealand will be known on Sunday after the employer of Mohammad Manik Hossain come back from Hawaii.
If Manik will be allowed to go, he will replace Tito for the chance to play in his first international event participation. The Zonal will be held from Jan. 25-31, 2011. An airfare subsidy of $300.00 each is offered to both players.
Paul Spiller, the President of New Zealand Chess Federation, chatted with Hernandez on Dec. 31 about the latest development asking: "Hello, Roberto, are you able to confirm your trip to NZ yet or does it look as though that you will not be able to come. I need to confirm or cancel accommodation bookings very soon."
Hernandez replied: " I have just sent you an email 5 minutes ago." It reads as follows:
"Dear Paul and Brian, I wish you both and your family a prosperous and terrific new year 2011. Mohammad Manik Hossain, who will replace Tito, will know on Sunday, Jan. 02, if he will be allowed by his employer to go with me in Rotorua. I know his boss, Uchel Tmechtul. I played piano in the reception of his wedding at Airai View Hotel in 1995. I might talk to him to let Manik go. He gave me $20.00 tip last Dec. 3 after requesting 2 Filipino songs. He's with Palau President Johnson Toribiong and a Congressman that night at Breeze Bar of Palau Royal Resort. The other day (Dec. 29) was the 8th year that I've been writing "Chess Mate" by Roberto Hernandez at Tia Belau Newspaper, Palau first newspaper. I've been doing it for free but I was able to promote chess in Palau for 8 years. These last 4 years, they are not editing my writing. Whatever I write, they will publish it. Whatever picture I want to be published, they will publish it.
On Jan. 02, also, is my 55th birthday. There are games to be played in the resumption of 2010-2011 Palau National Chess Championship and I'll be happy to accommodate a late entree to play as many games as he can to catch up.
This PNCC is limited only to 15 players but 2 have withdrawn and now there is one late entree so we're 14 now. That's all for now and again, thank you so much for helping Palau chess move forward. Best wishes for the year 2011!!! Roberto
In the latest development, Manik played an official game against Jeff Balbalosa, the late participant at 1:00 pm instead of Jeff-Jeff match because Manik has to work at 3:00 pm.
In a show of defensive prowess and attacking style, Manik clobbered Balbalosa in 40 moves of Scandinavian Defense. He's now won 7 games and lost 5.
In his delight, he promise to buy one case of soda for all employees of PRR living in Dorm 1 if he will beat Palau top player Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. in his last game.
Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Volume 20
Issue 1
January 03, 2011
PENULTIMATE ROUND MATCH. The game of Jeff Balbalosa, right, vs. Bernard Garcia, left, is one of the turning point of 3rd PIICC. The loss of Garcia enabled Paquito Suringa, Jr., 2nd from right, to finish 5th. Joselito Marcos, center, and joint winner of the event, poses together with Roberto Hernandez before the start of the game.
CHESS MATE MARKS 9TH YEAR
THE FIRST
issue of Chess Mate by Robert Hernandez was published in December 29,
2002 and since then the popularity of chess in Palau is on the rise.
National Chess Championships were held since 2006 and three invitational
international chess championships were held in 2006, 2007 and the
recently concluded one from December 14-19, 2011.
The
inaugural PIICC (Palau Invitational International Chess Championship)
in 2006 enabled 6 local players to obtain international ratings—Menandro
Manuel, Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr., Gene Pastrana, Jose Omega, Roberto
Hernandez and Manny Nedic.
The 2007 PIICC was not rated due to late submission of tournament cross-table.
The
recent one in 2011 is something different—all the participants are
FIDE rated and although only one invited player was able to make it, it
was the best organized PIICC ever because of the financial, technical
and moral support of Papua New Guinea’s top chess player Joselito
Marcos, who came to Palau with his wife Margarita and last-born daughter
Jamie Kirstie.
In
2009, Palau was able to send a representative to Oceania Zonal Chess
Championship in Gold Coast, Australia through the support of former
Oceania Zone President Gary Bekker, who shouldered Roberto Hernandez’
airfare and accommodation. Thus, Palau was represented for the first
time in an Oceania Chess Championship, which is the first step to the
World Cup of Chess. In there, Hernandez met Marcos and they became
friends – the best of friends.
In
2010, another breakthrough in Palau chess happened when Hernandez
found a sponsor for 5 players to participate in the 2010 World Chess
Olympiad in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia. The captain of Palau Team, Jaime
Kenmure of Australia, was chosen in gratitude of him being the Rating
Officer of Palau Chess Federation. Every cross-table of FIDE rated
tournaments that was held in Palau was sent to Jamie including the 2011
Palau National Chess Championship where 21 active players are now listed
in the FIDE rating list. In Russia, Hernandez and Marcos renewed their
friendship and acquaintances.
Although
the 2 local players who made it to Russia (Hernandez and Tito
Cabunagan) were not allowed to play because they are short of one
player, the experience of being there cannot be forgotten. Socializing
with the world’s best chess players, free full accommodation for 16
days, excursions, watching the world’s best in person and lots of
activities is really an unforgettable experience.
The
focus of Palau chess team now is at the 2012 World Chess Olympiad in
Istanbul, Turkey. Six players in the men division and a possible
4-player team in the women’s division have already committed to join.
First to join are Hernandez and Cabunagan, Manuel and Mohammad Manik
Hossain. The team captain is still Jamie Kenmure. Hernandez is not sure
if he can find sponsors again so those who committed must buy their own
airfare from Palau-Manila and Manila-Istanbul.
Another
good thing that happened to Palau chess is the coming to country of
Anzawa family (Takao, his wife Adele and their son George). With
George’s participation in the 2011 PNCC, he was able to get an
international rating and also committed to be in the men team as
reserve player. Adele would like to join the women’s team and if
Hernandez’ wife Flor would also be interested to join, there might be a
mother and son and 2 husband and wife team members as Menandro’s wife
Elizabeth is also interested to join the team.
The
2010-2011 Palau National Chess Championship was won by Manuel while the
2011 PNCC produces 3 champions – Tito Cabunagan, Cyril Tomas Montel,
Jr. and Roberto Hernandez. The 3rd PIICC has 2
champions—Joselito Marcos and Manuel and all the players except
Cabunagan, lived up to expectations according to their rating. With the
withdrawal of Dr. Alfredo Paez from Philippines, he was replaced in the
last hour by Paquito Suringa, Jr., who won his last 2 games to finish 5th and might be chosen as “Comeback Player of the Year”.
Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Volume 21
Issue 1
January 02, 2012
WORLD CHESS OLYMPIAD PARTICIPANT AT LAST!!!
Palau finally sent a complete team in 2012 World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey with (R-L) Roberto Hernandez, Menandro Manuel, Bernardo Garcia and Elizabeth Manuel (who's taking this photo). They were able to ask USA top player and world's no. 7 Hikaru Nakamura for a souvenir photo at the opening ceremony.
(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)
10 YEARS OF CHESS MATE;
57 YEARS OF ROBERTO
The first 6 major tournaments in Palau have 6 different champions – Eddie Grefiel, Consul General Julius Torres, Menandro Manuel, Edgardo Enarsao, Roberto Hernandez and Jess Toldoya.
With the help of Almario Marlon Bernardino, GM Eugene Torre, Gary Bekker, Toti Abundo and the late Lifetime Honorary FIDE President Florencio Campomanes, Palau was accepted as member of FIDE (World Chess Federation) in 2005. A year later, Mr. Bekker and Hernandez collaborated to have the inaugural 2006 Palau Invitational Chess Championship where 4 foreign players were invited and 6 Palau local players gained their initial international ranking-- Manuel, Cyril Montel, Jr., Jose Omega, Gene Pastrana, Hernandez and Manny Nedic.
Tia Belau Newspaper
Volume 21
Issue 1
January 02, 2012
Palau finally sent a complete team in 2012 World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey with (R-L) Roberto Hernandez, Menandro Manuel, Bernardo Garcia and Elizabeth Manuel (who's taking this photo). They were able to ask USA top player and world's no. 7 Hikaru Nakamura for a souvenir photo at the opening ceremony.
(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)
10 YEARS OF CHESS MATE;
57 YEARS OF ROBERTO
HOW
time flies! It’s already 10 years since the first issue of CHESS MATE in
Dec. 29, 2002. A lot has been achieved in as long as chess development
in Palau is concerned. There have been at least 3 major chess tourneys
every year since 2003 and 3 invitational chess championships where
foreign players were invited.
The first 6 major tournaments in Palau have 6 different champions – Eddie Grefiel, Consul General Julius Torres, Menandro Manuel, Edgardo Enarsao, Roberto Hernandez and Jess Toldoya.
With the help of Almario Marlon Bernardino, GM Eugene Torre, Gary Bekker, Toti Abundo and the late Lifetime Honorary FIDE President Florencio Campomanes, Palau was accepted as member of FIDE (World Chess Federation) in 2005. A year later, Mr. Bekker and Hernandez collaborated to have the inaugural 2006 Palau Invitational Chess Championship where 4 foreign players were invited and 6 Palau local players gained their initial international ranking-- Manuel, Cyril Montel, Jr., Jose Omega, Gene Pastrana, Hernandez and Manny Nedic.
In
2009, Palau was represented for the first time in Oceania Zonal Chess
Championship in Australia. Thanks again to Mr. Bekker for buying the
airfare of Hernandez so that Palau will be represented for the first
time in overseas competition.
In
Australia, Roberto met Jamie Kenmure, who later became the team captain
of Palau in 2010 and 2012 World Chess Olympiad in Russia and Istanbul,
Turkey respectively. Roberto also met the Lapitan family where the whiz
boy Daniel became Australia’s junior champion in the 12 years and under
category.
Also
in Australia that Roberto met Joselito Marcos of Papua New Guinea. They
became best of friends, renewed their friendship in 2010 WCO in Russia
and in the 3rdPalau Invitational Chess
Championship held at Palau Royal Resort from Dec. 14-19, 2011. Joselito
and Manuel were co-champions of that event.
Joselito
came with his wife Nanette and daughter Jamie and they experienced the
beauty of Palau firsthand after a week of competitive chess. They have a
trip to Rock Island, the Capitol, Palau Aquarium, golf and archery at
Papago International Resort and the warm hospitality of Palau people.
On
March 15, 2011, a new opportunity was offered to Hernandez to
write/contribute on Thursday issue of Tia Belau, who will publish twice a
week for the first time after 21 years of publishing once a week.
This time it’s about music. Chess on Monday and Music on Thursday were all posted at Palau Chess Federation website http://palau-chess.blogspot.com
Thanks
a lot to Joselito Marcos who initiated the move to make Palau more
popular through this website that started in Dec. 26, 2011. In its first
month, the page views were only 30 and after a year, it’s now more than
30,000! At present, it has 381 posts with a lot more to be posted
especially the older issues of CHESS MATE since 2003.
In
the 2010 World Chess Olympiad in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia, only 2
players made it there – Hernandez and Tito Cabunagan. They were not
allowed to play because of a ruling that started in 2008 WCO in Dresden,
Germany that a country must have at least 3 players to be allowed to
play.
They
didn’t allow Kenmure to join the Palau players because he is listed
under Australia. The only hope now is on their Delegate Jan Berglund of
Sweden, who was Palau Delegate in Dresden. He is not listed under USA
(he’s got a green card) and Sweden. But, there is no stamp on his
passport that confirmed that he’s been to Palau at least once to be
allowed to play. His unused ticket (Sweden-Hawaii-Guam-Palau) was not
honored.
Palau
finally was able to send a whole team to 2012 World Chess Olympiad in
Istanbul, Turkey. Cabunagan didn’t make it due to job requirement while
Mohammad Manik Hossain was allowed by his employer to go in the last 2
weeks and missed the once in a lifetime chance to play in an Olympiad.
But
Board 1 Roberto Hernandez, Board 2 Elizabeth Manuel, Board 3 Bernardo
Garcia and Board 4 Menandro Manuel is good enough to complete a team
even without reserve. They played all 11 rounds and were swept by Qatar,
Iraq and Maldives in the first 3 rounds respectively.
Garcia
achieved a Candidate Master title when he scored half point in round 4
and 3 consecutive wins in round 5, 6 and 7 for a 50% performance in his
first 7 games for a CM title, Palau first. It’s already a major
achievement that sparks the interest of many local players to join the
next World Chess Olympiad in Tromso, Norway in August 01-14, 2014.
The
committed players in the Open (men) team are Board 1 Cyril Tomas
Montel, Jr., Board 2 Menandro Manuel, Board 3 CM Bernardo Garcia, Board 4
Tito Cabunagan and reserve Roberto Hernandez (so that he can attend the
arbiters/trainers seminars that coincide with every Olympiad. Jeff
Balbalosa will captain the women’s team while Paquito Suringa, Jr. will
replace any of the 6 that will not make it.
The
women’s team is composed of Board 1 Angie Parrado, Board 2 Baby Edna
Mission, Board 3 Mary Frances Lopez, Board 4 Elizabeth Manuel and
reserve Joy Flores Whipps. Paz Ngiratechekii will replace any of the 5
players that will not make it if she can start saving now for airfare.
The Open team’s captain is still Jamie Kenmure and the Delegate for the 3rdconsecutive
Olympiad is still Mr. Jan Berglund. The Head of Delegation is reserved
for Senator Mlib Tmechtul. If he is not available on that date, it will
be offered to Eric Ksau Whipps, who is the choice of all members and
officers of Palau Chess Federation to run as President of PCF during the
Annual General Meeting to be held on Feb. 10, 2013 at Palau Royal
Resort.
The
officers and members of Palau Chess Federation (with 234 members now)
are in gratitude to Mr. Eric Ksau Whipps for paying the arrears of PCF.
The new international ratings of 21 participants of 2012 Palau National
Chess Championship will now be published on Feb. 01, 2013.
Solution to last week’s puzzle: 1. Qg6!! fxg6 2. Ne7++ Kh8 3. Nxg6 mate.
SPECIAL 10THANNIVERSARY PUZZLE: HERNANDEZ
WILL GIVE $10.00 EACH TO THE FIRST 3 PERSONS WHO WILL SOLVE THIS
PUZZLE. THERE WILL BE AN ADDITIONAL $5.00 EACH FOR THE SECOND SOLUTION
TO THE PUZZLE.
WHITE TO PLAY AND MATE IN 2
This
position allegedly occurred during a tournament in the old USSR. White
looks to have no hope but suddenly finds a move that leaves Black
staring at an unstoppable mate.
A
couple of clues: Firstly the board is the right way around etc.
Secondly, the mating idea would not be allowed these days (since 1988 at
least) but may have worked at the time the tournament was supposed to
be held.
Source:
Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Pages 10-11
Volume 21
Issue 95
December 31, 2012
Hernandez' roommate at PRR Dorm 1 in the last 5 years, Rey Alenain, left, finally left Palau for good on Dec. 27, 2013. He is the most responsible co-employee Hernandez ever knew. He gave him a t-shirt from Istanbul, Turkey which he proudly wears many times. He's the 1st runner-up to Miguel Gancayco in a PRR Rapid Chess Tourney. GOOD LUCK TO A FRIEND, A HUSBAND AND AN INSPIRATION TO MANY. HE WILL BE SURELY MISSED BY MANY. (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)
CHESS MATE MARKS 11TH YEAR;
PCF WEBSITE IS 2 YEARS OLD
EXACTLY 11 years ago (Dec. 29, 2002), the first issue of
Chess mate By Robert Hernandez was published here at Tia Belau with the first
stanza written as follows:
“THREE years ago, I was
approached by Tutii Joe Chilton, the most active Palauan chess player today, to
form a chess club. Without hesitation, I agreed to donate my free time, chess
books, use of my chess clock, and experience to develop chess in Palau. The
idea didn’t materialize but in the middle of this year, TFCP (The Filipino
Community in Palau) Vice President Sergio Alemania asked me if there were
enough chess players in Palau to hold the first-ever chess tournament in Palau.
He assigned me to be the chairman of the tilt that drew 20 contestants
including four women.”
For complete story, please refer
to Palau Chess Federation website http://palau-chess.blogspot.com Post No. 17 (First Issue of Chess Mate by
Roberto Hernandez Dec. 29, 2002) and Post No. 683 (CHESS MATE FIRST ISSUE (Tia
Belau Dec. 29, 2002-Jan. 04, 2003).
It was the start of slow
development of chess in Palau. At least 3 major tournaments were held every
year with undetermined number of blitz chess competitions were also held after
the regular games were over. National Championships were held every year since
2006 and produced the first 2 National Masters of Palau –Manuel Nedic and
Menandro ‘Boy’ Manuel.
Hernandez and Australian Gary
Bekker organized the inaugural 2006 Palau Invitational Chess Championship held
at Palau Royal Resort and Palasia Hotel. The 6 top players of Palau were able
to get their initial international ranking or rating. The 2nd PICC
was held in 2007 and the 3rd and most successful and well-organized 2011
PICC was held again at PRR with only one invited player –Mr. Joselito Marcos of
Papua New Guinea, the co-champion of the event with Manuel.
It is also Mr. Marcos who
started the PCF website on Dec. 26, 2011. It was one of the best things that he
did for the popularization of chess in Palau as it has 76,475 page views already
with Post No. 229 (Marcos and Hernandez Family After 3rd PIICC)
gathering 444 page views followed by Post No.42 (PALAU CHESS FEDERATION Players/Names/Pictures)
with 410.
Post No. 183 (BULGAR (Expose)
NEWSPAPER Features 1st PICC) got 345 while No. 151 (2009 Oceania
Zonal Chess Championship Photos) have 324. Post No. 199 (How Did Palau Become
FIDE Member) got 229 while No. 52 (PCF HAS 208 MEMBERS NOW) had 234.
231 page views was recorded in
Post No. 256 (DID KASPAROV CHEAT J. POLGAR IN ’94?) while CITIZENSHIP IN PALAU
(By Dmitri Kyle Villanueva) got 197 and #287 (Opening Ceremony ISTANBUL
OLYMPIAD) got 199 page views.
The Music and Me column entitled
“Palau Royal Resort Traditional Christmas Choir” got 189 and the other 20 posts
that got at least 100 page views will be published next issue.
PAGE VIEWS BY COUNTRIES
(All-Time): USA -53,390; Philippines -4,506; Russia-3,021; Palau -1,160;
Australia-1,129; UK-726; Papua New Guinea-566; Germany-563; France-502;
Latvia-270.
THANK YOU SO MUCH MR. JOSELITO
MARCOS!!! YOUR ALL-OUT SUPPORT FOR PALAU CHESS IS BEARING FRUIT NOW. WE
APPRECIATE YOUR FINANCIAL, TECHNICAL AND MORAL SUPPORT TO US.
Almost all of his advices with
wisdom were followed. His predictions also come true like when he said that,
“There’s no doubt that Magnus Carlsen will be the World Champion. The only
question is when.” It did happen in Nov. 2013 when Carlsen outwitted 5-time
defending world chess champion Viswanathan Anand of India.
The chess boom in Palau occurred
after Hernandez represented Palau in the 2009 Oceania Zonal Chess Championship
with Mr. Bekker paying for his airfare from Manila-Sydney-Gold Coast.
Palau was able to send 2 players
(Hernandez and Tito Cabunagan), a team captain (Jamie Kenmure of Australia) and a
Delegate (Jan Berglund) to 2010 World Chess Olympiad in Khanty-Mansiysk,
Russia.
In the 2012 World Chess Olympiad
in Istanbul, Turkey, Palau was represented by Hernandez, Manuel, his wife
Elizabeth, Bernardo Garcia, Kenmure and Mr. Berglund where Garcia become the
first titled played of Palau when he scored 3.5 points in his first 7 games for
an automatic Candidate Master title. Mr. Marcos got his CM title also
retroactively when he scored enough points in 2002 Bled, Slovenia World Chess
Olympiad.
With the popularity of chess
getting better, the Palau Chess Team for the 2014 World Chess Olympiad in
Tromso, Norway is very much intact with some men and women players waiting for
withdrawal from the line-up –Head of Delegation (Senator Mlib Tmetchul);
Delegate (Mr. Berglund); Men’s (Open) Team Captain (Jamie Kenmure); Bd. 1
(Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr.); Bd. 2 (Menandro Manuel); Bd. 3 (Garcia); Bd. 4
(Cabunagan); Bd. 5 (Reserve) (Hernandez); Team Captain (Women) (Eric Ksau
Whipps); Bd. 1 (Angelica Parrado); Bd. 2 (Gladys Anne Paloma); Bd. 3 (Baby Edna
Mission); Bd. 4 (Joy Flores Whipps); Bd. 5 (Elizabeth Manuel). Waiting for
withdrawals are Mohammad Manik Hossain, Jeffrey Balbalosa, Paquito Suringa,
Jr., Lilibeth Cabunagan, Dichem Tmetchul and Ksau Anthony Whipps.
On Feb. 10, 2013 Palau Chess
Federation elected Mr. Eric Ksau Whipps as the new President. His wife Joy, son
Ksau and Balbalosa represented Palau in the 2013 Guam International Chess
Tournament in Feb. 15-21, 2013.
On Feb. 24-March 28, 2013,
Hernandez bagged the 2013 Palau Rapid Chess Championship plum. Cabunagan,
Montel, Jr. and Suringa, Jr. placed 2nd, 3rd and 4th
respectively.
On May 12-June 16, 2013, Jose
Celiz captured his first title in Palau by winning the 2013 Palau Blitz Chess
Championship. Hernandez, Montel, Jr. and Cabunagan are the runners-up.
In Aug. 04-Oct. 08, Celiz got
his 2nd title in a row by clinching the 2013 Palau National Chess
Championship and thus became the latest National Master of Palau. Manuel Mahor,
Jr. won the Reserves Division title while WNM Angelica Parrado was the winner
in the Women’s Division and Ksau Anthony Whipps outwitted Destiny Sisior in the
final day to win the Junior Division plum.
And finally, Eric and Ksau
represented Palau in the 2013 World Youth Chess Championship in Al Ain United
Arab Emirates from Dec. 17-29, 2013 with free visas, airfare and accommodation
to the trip.
Solution to last week’s puzzle:
(The same as last week. Sorry for the double printing)
This week’s puzzle: Black to
move and mates in 3 (Solution next issue)
Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Pages 9 & 10
Volume 23
Issue 02
January 06, 2014
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