Roberto Hernandez, left, and Tito Cabunagan, right, is flanked by their Russian tutor (guide) Jane Kikki before entering at Hotel Olympic in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia. The duo represented Palau in 2010 World Chess Olympiad but didn't play a single game due to 3-player minimum requirement for a team. (Photo by: Joselito Marcos)
CHESS TOURISTS IN RUSSIA
PALAU FIRST participation in a World Chess Olympiad almost came to reality but fell short of one player to make it. Roberto Hernandez and Tito Cabunagan were the only 2 that made it to Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia. Despite the odds and extra unforeseen costs of travel, these determined chess players were able to survived the rigid process of entering the Russian territory.
A minimum of 3 players for a team can participate in an Olympiad which was imposed in 2008 Dresden, Germany Olympiad. The duo tried to pursue their Australian team captain to play to meet the 3-player requirement. At first, he was asked to pay 1,000 euros up-front. It is not possible because he is listed under Australia and changing federation will take a few months and fees depend on one's rating.
The only hope now will be on Jan Berglund, Palau Delegate to the 81st FIDE Congress. The 64-year old Swedish Olympiads veteran could not show any stamp in his passport that he has been to Palau at least once to be able to participate as player, press and Delegate.
In the middle of the 15-day tournament, Hernandez and Cabunagan just enjoyed the extra-ordinary experiences of watching top chess players of the world play under pressure, have photo session with top Grandmasters, Arbiters, FIDE president, excursion trips around the area, free food, hotel room, tour guide, bus rides, free internet, socializing with people of different cultures, AND Russian hospitality.
Many observers saw that this Olympiad is the best-organized ever. The host of the next Olympiad (Istanbul, Turkey) admitted that it is very hard to surpass the accommodation that Khanty-Mansiysk has shown.
The 1,300 invited participants were check-in in twin Hotel Olympics, which opened just for the event. In Dresden, Germany Olympiad, the top players and their delegation were booked in 5-star hotels while the lowly rated teams were booked in less rated hotels.
Hernandez was able to see all 11 rounds of play in the men's and women's division except one when he attended the Asian Continental Meeting with Mr. Berglund. In that meeting, he was able to vote for Asian countries that are willing to host Asian chess events for the year 2011 and 2012. Chinese Taipei will host some events for the first time.
In the final round, Hernandez met Prospero 'Butch' Pichay, a Congressman and president of National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) while taking a video of Phil. Women's team final round against Indonesia.
The Philippine Head of Delegation invited Hernandez for a coffee with Toti Abundo, Deputy President of Asian Chess Federation at the VIP Room. They were joined by Asia's first Grandmaster Eugene Torre and American Walter Brown.
When asked about the qualification to join the Turkish team, Walter said, "You must be below 30 years old to be in the team." Mr. Pichay asked Eugene what is the Philippines team's standard to be in the team. Eugene's reply made everybody laugh, "To be in the team, you must still have an erection!"
Mr. Pichay informed Hernandez that he wants to improve chess in Palau. He will visit Palau by using his private plane (Cessna) sometime this year or early next year. He will send also some promising players to get a base in Palau so that in the next Olympiad, there will be no shortage of players.
He also invited the woman Grandmaster of Russia sitting alone next to their table to play in one of Philippines Open tournaments.
At the end of the Olympiad, Ukraine emerges as champion. In Calvia, Spain 2004 Chess Olympiad, Ukraine was the champion. In the 2006 Torino, Italy and 2008 Dresden, Germany Olympiads, Armenia won the titles.
Russia fielded 5 teams in the men's division and 3 in the women's where Russia 1 won the women's division followed by China, many times Olympic champion.
Russia 1 was runner-up in the men's section and Israel won the bronze. The Philippines men's team have a chance to land in the top 10 had they swept the Estonian team in the final round but lost 2.5-1.5 and finished 50th among 144 nations.
At the closing ceremony,Turkey presented their invitation video for hosting the 2012 World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul in August while Tromso, Norway will hold the 2014 World Chess Olympiad in Aug. 1-14.
The Russian trip is just one of the best experiences that Hernandez is proudly sharing. The best thing that ever happened to him is the renewing of his friendship with Joselito Marcos, Papua New Guinea's top player. The generous Tolitz (his Russian nickname) gave him more than financial support but moral and academic as well.
He downloaded Chess Base 9 to Hernandez' laptop that includes 4 million chess games from Mega Chess Base. Bernard Garcia can't do it after 3 months of repeated requests but Tolitz did it in just 2 days.
A teacher, arbiter, quick decision maker, with natural diplomatic approach, good sense of humor and a very gentleman, he's the darling of many. He recognizes the faces of even the old and new chess celebrities in the world. His passion for original and hardbound books is shown in his collection of books.
He teaches Hernandez how to read Russian. One of his unique characteristic is that he writes his chess notation in every game since 2000 in Russian!
The trio of Hernandez, Lito and Tito Cabunagan made their Russian trip an unforgettable moment. Maybe they will meet again in Rotoura, New Zealand, Istanbul, Turkey or Tromso, Norway.
***Joselito made it in New Zealand, missed the Turkey Olympiad due to health reason and made it again in Norway as official Delegate to vote in the election.
Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Pages 13 & 15
Volume 19
Issue 41
October 11-17, 2010
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