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Eventual champion Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. actually didn't play 4 players in this round-robin championship of Top 10 players of Palau. Nilo de Jesus played only one actual game, while Roberto played the most games --8. Next to de Jesus is Paquito Suringa, Jr. (3 games). Rafael Paloma is 2nd with the most games played --7, but it is all losses. (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)
REACHING OUT TO PLAYERS
OF 2014 PNCC TOP 10 DIVISION
THE 2014 Palau National Chess Championship had the biggest turnout of participants in Palau Chess history in its opening day in Nov. 16, 2014.
But in the 2nd round, a lot of default losses to players who didn't show up on time due to the boxing match of Manny Pacquiao and Chris Algieri on Nov. 23.
The scheduled match of Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. and Nilo de Jesus was delayed for 1 hour according to their agreed time.
But de Jesus was contacted again by Montel, Jr. and he said he had enough to drink and can't make it.
It's understandable to claim a win in this situation. In the Open Division match between Arnold Undecimo and Marcial Santander, they both signed a score sheet claiming a win each as nobody knows the pairings of their division because the in-charge of pairings (Jeff Balbalosa) is also late because of the boxing match.
After Arnold left, then comes Jeff. Roberto realized that Arnold and Marcial are the ones to play against each other. FIDE Arbiter and President of Palau Chess Federation Eric Ksau Surangel Whipps informed Roberto that the win belongs to Marcial as he saw him coming to Bethlehem Park at 1:30 pm. In other words, he's 30 minutes earlier than everybody including Arnold.
A few days before the Awarding Ceremony, Roberto was able to talk to Arnold, who is still grieving about that loss. He didn't know yet the cause of his loss. After that explanation by Roberto, Arnold's doubt has vanished.
Top seed Menandro 'Boy' Manuel is back in Palau for a 2-month job stint (Oct. - Dec.). He played his first game vs. Jeff Balbalosa a day before the opening day. It's a draw by technicality as Jeff set the clock without increment.
Meanwhile, Roberto and Paquito, both working at Palau Royal Resort, played their 1st round match at PRR Dormitory 1 three days before the opening round.
Without an opponent on the first round, Menandro reached out to Roberto to play their game as he has only 3 weeks left to play 8 games. They played their game even though Roberto will be late being one of the judges in the ongoing D' Voice (Palau) Blind Audition.
Menandro also ask Roberto to reach out for other players to play him in weekdays or Saturdays as he is off on that day. Roberto contacted Cyril, Bernard and Tito. No response from Tito but Cyril and Bernard are both working on Saturday.
Paquito and Menandro played their drawn game at PRR on Thursday, Nov. 20 from 6-9pm.
Menandro asked Roberto again for weekdays or Sat. matches. Roberto is spending a little for text messages to players so he asked Menandro to reach out to them by himself and gave him their contact numbers.
On Nov. 30, last Sunday that Menandro will play. He is leaving on Dec. 03 or 05, 2014. He asks the available players to play with him even with a shorter time control so that he can play at least 2 games.
Paquito has no Sunday off for a few months till 2015. When he came at 4:00pm on Nov. 30, Cyril refused to play against him as he is late and lost already by default. There is time for Cyril to play with Menandro while Tito and Dennis are still playing but Cyril doesn't trust himself that he can beat Menandro with just 2 hours of sleep that night because of his company's Christmas party.
It's also one of the reason why he didn't play with Paquito -- lack of sleep. He then gave Paquito a chance to play with him at 2pm next Sunday, Dec. 07 but Paquito was not allowed to have a break and he lost by default with Cyril reaching out to give him for a chance to play on their available time.
ROBERTO HAS BEEN WRITING "CHESS MATE" BY ROBERTO HERNANDEZ AT TIA BELAU NEWSPAPER FOR 12 YEARS. IN ITS CURRENT 625 ISSUES, THERE'S NO EDITING BEING DONE.
It's surprising that for the first time, a 'critic' voiced out her disappointment about the 617th edition of Chess Mate....
Dear Robert, Dec. 09, 2014
I
would like to express my disappointment on your news article. Your
title says "Chess Neophytes of Palau National Chess Championship",
aren't you suppose to discuss about it and not attack my husband? If
you have issues with him on the tournament aren't you suppose to call
him and discuss it with him or settle it with the board during the
tournament, instead of letting the whole Republic of Palau know about it
first. How can you encourage and attract new players if they will see
in the newspaper that they could be subjected to attack too. You are
suppose to build the confidence of players not destroy their image. How
do you think our children would feel if they read this article or if
there classmates would tell them about it?
I hope you will realize the damage that you have done and will cause our family especially to our children.
Annabelle Montel
CHESS NEOPHYTES OF PALAU NATIONAL CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP
The
2014 Palau National Chess Championship has the biggest number of participants –
39, in which 15 of them are first timers to compete in the annual and mostly
year-ending chess event in Palau.
The
Top 10 Division is composed of top seed Menandro Manuel (1852 rating), who is
on a 2-month contract in his return to Palau. He played his last game of the
tournament and of the day against 2nd seed Tito Cabunagan (1825) on
Sunday, Nov. 30. He prevailed in 58 moves of Center Counter in an exciting game
watched by 3 of chess neophytes (Felix Oling, Tuloy Rengiil and Leif
Toribiong), 8th seed Paquito Suringa, Jr. (1701), 3rd
seed Roberto Hernandez (1815) and 6th seed Jeffrey Balbalosa (1721).
Cabunagan
subdued 7th seed Dennis Gonzales (1701) earlier in the day in 54
moves of Ruy Lopez. Manuel was able to finished 5 games –2 wins (against 10th
seed Rafael Paloma (1612) and Tito), 2 draws (vs. Jeff and Paquito) and lost to
Hernandez in the opening round. His last 4 games will be recorded as - + (for
un-played games) to 4th seed Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr., 5th
seed CM Bernardo Garcia, Gonzales and 9th seed Nilo de Jesus (1624).
Montel
refused to play against Manuel earlier because he is scheduled to play against
Paquito, who arrived at 4pm because he doesn’t have Sunday off till next year.
Montel refused also to play against Manuel, maybe knowing that he can win by
default over Manuel if he will not play him on that day. But he will miss his
last chance to play the top player of Palau for 5 consecutive years
(2005-2009). His reason is… he doesn’t have enough sleep because of PPR
Christmas party.
Paquito accepts his default loss
to Cyril, who insisted that he waited for more than 30 minutes (defaulting
time), which is applicable only in the Swiss system Open division because the
round must be finished so that the next pairings will be available.
Paquito’s
first 2 games were played at Palau Royal Resort Dormitory 1, both on Thursday
afternoon. He lost to Roberto on Nov. 13 and drew with Manuel on Nov. 20.
Manuel drew also to Jeff on Nov. 15 (Sat.), while the Garcia-Balbalosa match
was rescheduled on a later date.
This
means that the Top 10 division is round-robin and there’s no default losses or
wins except in the last day. Cyril will give Paquito a chance to play at 4pm on
Dec. 7 after Roberto refused his suggestion that him and Bernard will play on Dec.
7 because he thought that the rule about players of the same company must play
in the first 3 rounds. But Roberto has played already with Dennis (Cyril’s
opponent) so he will stick with the schedule to play Bernard.
OTHER
RESULTS OF 3RD ROUND: Paloma lost to Garcia in 37 moves of Sicilian
Defence; Arnold Undecimo whipped Nelson Sablan in 47 moves of another Sicilian
Defence; Glen Navarosa scored a win over Eric Ksau Surangel Whipps in 56 moves;
Felix Oling recovered from a queen-less disadvantage and outlasted Senator
Surangel Whipps, Jr. in 42 moves of Two Knights Game; Angelil Sisior dominated
Cyrelle Ann Montel (3-1) in their quadruple round-robin junior division clash; Tuloy
Rengiil played for the first time and subdued Chris Kitalong in 33 moves of
Queen’s Pawn Opening; Robert Godwin Sola lost to junior top seed Destiny Sisior
in 41 moves of Irregular Opening and dark horse Marcial Santander clobbered
Gonzalo Escapatoria to lead the Open division with 3 points, same as Manuel Mahor, Jr.
4TH
ROUND PAIRINGS – OPEN DIVISION 1. Mahor vs. Santander 2. Undecimo vs. Oling 3.
Escapatoria vs. Navarosa 4. Eugene Labarda vs. Toribiong
5. Geoff Martin vs. Rengiil 6. Sablan vs. Joey Balute 7. Kitalong vs. Whipps,
Jr. 8. Eric Whipps vs. Remrel Dizon 9. Cris Ulap – BYE.
Solution
to last week’s puzzle No. 3757: 1. Ng4+! Rxg4 2. Rf5+!! Kxf5 3. Rd5 mate.
This
week’s puzzle No. 3758: White to move and mates in 3 (Solution next issue)
Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Page 10
Volume 23
Issue 98
December 08, 2014
Hi Annabelle, Cyril and Eric,
I'm sorry if my article caused you disappointment but I'm not attacking
your husband. If you read it again or 2 times more, you will understand
what I mean. I insist him to play Menandro Manuel on that Sunday, Nov.
30 because he is leaving Palau on Dec. 02, or 06, for a 2-month
contract. He has played only 4 games (2 games on a Thursday and 1 game
on Sat.). Cyril won already by default over Paquito and I think that's
the right time to play Menandro.
I'll explain some more but first I would like you to look at the attached
article I wrote about Cyril. Those news/facts about his tournament
records in Palau are written there (with dates and scores). THAT'S HOW I
BUILD PLAYERS. NOT ATTACKING THEM AS YOU SEE.
I wonder also if Cyril knew even 10% of those facts.
Please check this link:
After reading it, please tell me if I need to do more for promotion of chess and players in Palau.
Best regards,
Robert
On Thursday, December
11, 2014 11:42 AM, Cyril & Annabelle Montel <belle5montel@yahoo.com>
wrote:
Dear Robert,
I accept your apology
for my disappointment and we do appreciate the build up and positive articles
that you wrote about my husband in the past. I don't question your
initiative for starting and developing chess in Palau, I gave you the full
credit for your diligence in building up players and promoting chess here.
But there were news articles in the past that discussed sensitive issues
among the players yet you published it in the national newspaper. And I
guess no one among the concerned players complained but this
time it concerns my husband so I have to react.
Since you claim that you
are not attacking my husband in your recent news article, then I know that I
cannot justify my understanding or interpretation of what you were trying to
imply on your statements about him, nevertheless, let me express
my sentiments. Every player has to prepare for each of his game
because he has to study the moves of his opponent so there should be no issue
on my husband's refusal to play with Menandro but you stated your opinion that
... "maybe knowing
that he can win by default over Manuel if he will not play him on that
day" ; and implying
that my husband is inconsiderate of Pax who has no Sunday off, cunning but he
does not know the rules... "who
insisted that he waited for more than 30 minutes (defaulting time), which is
applicable only in the Swiss system Open division because the round must be
finished so that the next pairings will be available."... I may have over reacted but that's how I
felt when I read the article. My kids have a high regards to their father
especially in chess and we are trying our best to have a good reputation and
live with good moral character, considering that our kids have been working
very hard to maintain their academic excellence even though they belong to the
minority in school.
Being a writer you have
the power to write the things that you want to write but with such
authority comes big responsibility. You will not there to explain to
every reader what you meant with what you wrote because every reader have
his/her own interpretation of what he/she reads. Therefore it is best to
write only positive things. In some sports article like basketball, the
writer discuss only about the game and how each player scored but not on the
fouls done by each player during the game.
Sincerely,
Annabelle
Dec. 12, 2014 4:30am
Hi Annabelle,
Thanks for your concerns. I'm in a hurry during my first
response. Here's a more detailed explanation:In the opening day of 2014 PNCC, on Nov. 16, in the Top 10 division, only 3 games have been played that were on schedule - Bernard vs. Nilo, Dennis vs. Rafael and Cyril vs. Tito.
Menandro joined this tournament even though he will be leaving in the first week of Dec. 2014, the end of his 2-month contract. So, in one of my articles, I requested the players of that division to play him on any other day aside from Sunday, most conveniently on Sat. because it's his day off.
That's what Jeff did and they played their scheduled 1st round in Menandro's room on Nov. 15 (Sat.). It's good that I visited them before their game ends because Menandro lost on time. Later, we realized that Jeff mistakenly set the clock without increment. Like what I did to Bernard vs. Jose's game in 2012 PNCC, I declared it a draw. Jeff and Menandro agreed and no problem. Unlike in Bernard's case, he insisted that he won the game and don't accept and respect my decision as Chief Arbiter.
I played already my 1st round game with Paquito on Nov. 13 (Thursday) so I can attend to the needs of many players on the opening day. At 3 pm, Menandro asked me to play our game. I accept his offer to play although I might be late of being one of the judges in TFCP's D' Voice Blind Audition at 6pm that night. I don't even know what color of pieces I will be having when I played with Menandro. The same as Paqutio, he doesn't know who are his opponents on specific Sundays.
So, from the very start, the schedule of the Top 10 division (round-robin) is not followed 3 days before the opening day to accommodate Menandro, who played with Paquito at PRR on another Thursday, Nov. 20.
Nov. 22, Menandro ask me if there are available players which he can play on that afternoon. I text Cyril and he replied "Nasa trabaho ako, sorry po." Bernard is also working at that time and no response from Tito.
I text back Menandro about it. I spend some small change for text so the next time that Menandro ask me again who are available as he is going back to Phil. in the first week of Dec., I just gave him the numbers of those players he haven't played yet. I'm doing it also now to Paquito.
As Cyril said, they are the one who should reach out if they can't make it so that the game that they should be playing will not be awarded as a win by default to the waiting player/s. The problem with Paquito is he doesn't have access to internet to check his scheduled opponent.
Dennis and Tito are
playing their scheduled game when Menandro came. He is looking for whoever is
available to play with him. I suggested for them to play but Cyril pointed at
Tito, who is still playing. Menandro even suggested to have the time control
shortened so that he can play at least 2 games because he is leaving the other
day (Dec. 2).
When Menandro go to
Tito's place, Cyril said to me that he doesn't like to play today because he
had only little sleep because they have PPR Christmas party Sat. night.
Eventually, Tito and Menandro played their game after Tito defeated
Dennis. Even if it’s late already in the afternoon, their game proceeded as
agreed and it lasted till 6:30pm. If Cyril played with Menandro while Tito and
Dennis are still playing, the + - score will not be imposed as what will
happened when Cyril play with Menandro on Dec. 14.
I don't know if Cyril
doesn't trust himself that he can beat Menandro even with little sleep. I said
to him that, "If you wouldn't play with him before he goes back to Phil.,
your score with him will be + - in the FIDE Rating List.
Cyril is longing for an
opponent. His 2nd round foe is Nilo de Jesus, who also watches the
Pacquiao-Algieri fight and didn't make it. Nilo agreed to come but later said
he's already drunk. So, he lost by default. The 3rd game is the match with
Paquito. Cyril is very accommodating to Paquito and gave him a rematch for
Dec.7 but Paquito is not allowed to have a break at work.
It's already 4:30 am (Dec. 12) when I'm typing this and suddenly there's
a glitch with this site and everything went blank. I'm staying that late
because of very poor internet connection. I thought this email got lost with
that error. When I open it at 2pm today (Dec. 12) it's not lost so here's the
continuation:
Before the 4th
round, Dec. 7, Cyril text me with this: “Bert, pwede ba na kami muna ni Bernard
sa linggo. kasi dapat ang same company will be played on first three round?
inform mo na lang kung pwede.”
(THERE'S ANOTHER ERROR WHEN I'M TYPING THIS AT 2:10PM)
I replied to Cyril with this: "Cyril, let's proceed w d
sched. i can't play with dennis (Cyril's opponent that Sun). i played with him
already. di naman kasama sa rules this time ang same co. players. Just 30
minutes defaulting time which u took advantage in rd. 2 and 3. Besides, I'm
prepared to play Bernard this Sun."
Cyril's
reply is mentioned above about players who don't reach out. He offered to play
with Paquito on Sun. Dec. 7. I was able to talk to Paquito and he said he will
be available at 4pm only. Cyril agreed but in the last hour, Paquito was not
allowed to take a break.
I apologized to Cyril with: "Sorry, Cyril. hindi pinayagan si Pax
mag-offset. Here's other options, tuloy niyo game w Dennis, if not possible, I
will play with Nilo and u play vs. Bernard. Sorry for late notice."
Bernard replied—“No change of game in last minute. No show loses.”So that’s what happened that Sun. –I played with Bernard and Cyril don’t have opponent again because Dennis didn’t make it. I think they agreed to play some other Sunday. Cyril is really longing for opponent. He’s ‘vacant’ in Round 2, 3, and 4. And now, he’s scheduled to play with Menandro this Sunday, Dec. 14 in which is the part where I said/indicated that all remaining un-played games of Menandro will be recorded as + - to those players in the FIDE Ratings List–Cyril, Bernard, Dennis and Nilo. But it will be scored as a win for Palau record. So I and Cyril are leading the Top 10 Division with 4 straight wins (counting Cyril’s win by default over Menandro).
The problem about winning by default is in the ratings list. He cannot get international rating points from the opponent that he beats by default. And of course, If Cyril finished the tournament with the same score as those who had no win by default it’s a disadvantage to him in the tiebreak.
And about the preparation, it is a known fact that you must study at least 40 games of your opponent to know his/her style of play, strengths, weaknesses and favorite openings. Players in Palau don't have access to those 40 games of different players so it's impossible to prepare for one player in a week without resources.
If you are not convinced yet that I don’t ‘attack’ Cyril after reading this, I will just leave you this comment—“I attack the players with the chess pieces during games.”
Please check the additional features of Cyril in the following links:
Cyril Montel, Jr. – Champion At Last!!!
Profile of Champions --- Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr.
Cyril Reveals Secret Weapon
Anyway, because of this controversy, my next issue of Chess Mate are just games played in the 2014 PNCC (Part 1).
BEST REGARDS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU, CYRIL AND KIDS!
Robert
***After this reply, there is a deafening silence.
Roberto reached out for Nilo de Jesus 4 times. The first 2 were for his match with Paquito--"Hi Nilo, this is Robert. About your game with Paquito, he's day off today (Thu) and tomorrow. Please come here at Palau Royal Resort in your free time. Get an ID from security and you can stay here up to 10pm."
He said yes but didn't come. On the 3rd time, it also involves his game with Roberto -- "It's also my day off on Friday, after your game with Paquito, we can play our game next."
He was not able to make it for the third time. Nilo vs. Roberto game is on Dec. 28. Roberto knows that he will not show up again so he offered to come to his auto repair shop between 9:30-10:00pm after Roberto attended the Friday Prayer Meeting at Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ (4th Watch) Palau Locale. Nilo informed Roberto that he don't have a ride in going to tourney venue that's why Roberto will be the one to go to his place to reach out.
Roberto brought pens, chessboard, clock, score sheet and the cross-table. They will play in the staff house next to the shop.
After the prayer meeting, Roberto immediately proceed to the shop. The gate is locked. Roberto parked at the right side of the road and call Nilo's mobile phone. It's off line.
There are some drunk men roaming around the dimly lit road so Roberto proceed to his wife's staff house and leave a text message to Nilo --"I was there at the shop at 10pm. The gate is lock. I tried to call you but your phone is offline. Are you available tomorrow (Sat)? I work from 7-11pm."
Nilo responded late in the afternoon of Sat. --"I'm sorry, I just check my messages now. My phone's battery is almost drained last night and I fell asleep."
When Nilo didn't show up that Saturday, Roberto has given up hope that he can play all his 9 games without a tarnish of + -
IF ALL THE GAMES OF 2014-2015 PALAU NATIONAL CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP WERE PLAYED ACTUALLY WITHOUT DEFAULT LOSSES, THE CURRENT RESULTS MIGHT BE DIFFERENT.
Sources: Chess and Music (Perfect Combination)
The Beginning of Chess in Palau
By Roberto Hernandez
November 2014 - January 2015
To be published as a book in the future
The History of Chess in Palau
By Roberto Hernandez
2009-2015
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