Palau Chessmate: May 2015

PALAU CHESS FEDERATION
     WEBSITE http://palau-chess.blogspot.com
     1,000th POST --

              1,000 PHOTOS OF
    PALAU CHESS TEAM TO 2014
      WORLD CHESS OLYMPIAD IN
               TROMSO, NORWAY

**Due to very slow internet connection here at Palau Royal Resort, this 1,000th post will be finished maybe within 2 months. It takes 20 minutes to upload one resized photo.
   I will be having a 22-day vacation in Philippines from June 02-23, 2015. If I'll have faster internet connection there, this post might be finished in a few weeks.

On the day of departure to Manila, Philippines to get Schengen visa on July 15, 2014 at 4:30 pm, the Palau Chess Team had a pictorial and last minute orientation at Eric Ksau Whipps residence. Standing left-right, CM Bernardo Garcia (Board 3), Roberto Hernandez (Board 1), Cyril Montel, Jr. (Board 2), Eric Ksau Surangel Whipps (Delegate, Team Captain -Women's Team), Dennis Gonzales (Board 4) and Jeffrey Balbalosa (Reserve/Board 5).

Sitting left-right, Angelica Parrado (Board 1), Baby Edna Mission (Board 2) and Joy Flores Whipps (Reserve/Board 5). Not in the photo are Gladys Anne Paloma (Board 3), who is now in Philippines, and Destiny Sisior (Board 4), Angie's 10-year-old daughter.

Joy Flores Whipps, sitting right, shows to Baby Edna Mission, middle, and Angie Parrado the unique chess set of former Senator Surangel Whipps, Sr., Eric's dad. It's made from coconut tree wood. The other male members of Palau Chess Team, from left, Cyril, Jeff and Dennis are having a lively conversation.

Before boarding the United Airlines flight to Manila, the 10 members of the team have a photo session at the 2nd floor of Palau International Airport, near Alii Restaurant.

The first 2 members who arrive at Heritage Hotel on July 30, 2015 are Baby Edna Mission, right, and Roberto Hernandez for Congressman Prospero 'Butch' Pichay's one-day hosting of the team Palau as he promised to Roberto. Cong. Pichay is running for Asian Continental President of World Chess Federation (FIDE) election that coincide with the 2014 World Chess Olympiad in Tromso, Norway.

Grandmaster (GM) Richard Bitoon, left, assisted Congressman Pichay in entertaining/hosting the Palau team. He is also humble enough to teach the women's team members some pointers about tactics and strategy.

On their way to Hong Kong at Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

At Hong Kong International Airport. Waiting for the flight to Helsinki, Finland

After 11-hour trip from Hong Kong to Helsinki, the Palau Chess Team is ready for their trip to Oslo. Cyril, 4th from right, lost his passport that he left in the airplane. The staff of the plane was able to find it to the relief of everybody.

The same plane that the team had fly with in going to Oslo.

They took a bus in going to the terminal for the 30-minute flight to Tromso.

At the baggage claim in Oslo.

Joy Flores Whipps, rigjht, and her husband Eric, met the other 9 members of the team at Oslo International Airport in going to Tromso altogether.

While waiting for our guide and bus, posing at the Olympiad poster with Jan Berglund (a different person than Jan-Olav Berglund, Palau's Delegate to the 2008, 2010 and 2012 Olympiads). Jan-Olav Berglund is one of the Arbiters in the sections where physically disabled players are playing.

Selfie inside the bus that will take the participants to their respective hotels.

At the lobby of Clarion (The Edge) Hotel.

The Norwegian guide of Palau Chess Team, 2nd from left, had a photo with the team at Clarion.

The buses that will take the participants to their respective hotels.

First meal of Palau Chess Team members Cyril, left, and Dennis at Radisson Blu Hotel. The women's team, Eric and Joy had their dinner at The Clarion (The Edge) Hotel.

Eric Ksau Whipps, left, Philippine Open team Board 2 GM Paul Gomez, right, and Board 4 Paulo Bersamina, middle, during the Opening Ceremony of 2014 World Chess Olympiad in Tromso, Norway.
(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

Fiji Chess Federation President Dr. Virgilio de Asa had a photo taken with Roberto, middle, Angelica Parrado, right, and Baby Edna Mission. (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)