AS EXPECTED, the fancied players from abroad asserted their lofty billing in the opening day yesterday of the first Palau Invitational Chess Championship at the Palau Royal Resort.
National Master Almario Marlon Bernardino, Jr. of the Philippines and Gary Bekker of Australia scored 1.5 points each after two rounds to set the pace.
The 29-year old Bernardino, a Manila-based sportswriter and radio commentator, defeated Jose Omega in 37 moves of Reti Opening. Bekker, the Oceania Zone FIDE (International Chess Federation) president won in 55 moves of a King's Indian Defence against Menandro Manuel. Both games, however, were played a day earlier at another venue.
Then, Bernardino and Bekker drew their match at the Conference Room of PRR, which allowed its facility for free.
A total of 10 players are competing in this single round robin tournament with the aim of giving Palau chess players a chance to earn international points.
Bekker, who personally funded this event, said that this is also a chance for the local players to compete abroad if they will be able to get the needed points. He said at least a player would gain three points in this tournament.
Two other foreign players from New Zealand are competing namely Hilton Bennett and Paul Spiller, who opened up his campaign with a victory over Omega.
Other results of the games in the morning matches also resulted to draws. These were between Robert Hernandez and Manny Nedic and between Cyril Montel, Jr. and Gene Pastrana.
Hernandez, Chairman of Knights and Rooks Chess Club and Palau Chess Federation chairman Francis 'Sno' Temaungil helped organized this event.
Temaungil is serving as the chief arbiter in this event assisted by Jess Toldoya. Both have a chance to earn international points as arbiters.
Several matches were still in progress as of press time last night. Games until Saturday will still be played at PRR before it will be moved to Palasia Hotel due to the upcoming arrival of Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian in time for the summit of leaders with Pacific Island nation allies.
"I expect two players here would be able to make. It's a good opportunity for them." said Bekker, who chose to stage this event despite an invitation to officiate in next week's world championship match between Russian Grandmaster Vladimir Kramnik and Bulgarian GM Veselin Topalov in the Russian Republic of Elista.
Bekker said that this would become an annual tournament. The players will be able also to compete in the Oceania championship zone in May next year, which is the qualifying event for the world championship sometime in 2008.
Reporter: Nazario Rodriguez Jr. Horizon News Staff
Source: Palau Horizon
Friday
September 1-4, 2006
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