The 'Knight' of Palau chess Mario Ramos, left, has defeated Ivan II Chess Computer 3 times in their last 4 encounters. His latest victory is via a special telephone match organized by Roberto Hernandez on Monday, January 17, 2005 to save time and gas because he's living and working in a ranch which is 45 minutes travel to reach town. He outwitted Ivan II in 54 moves of Four Knights Defence. In the background of this photo (L-R) are Marcial Rodriguez, Jose Omega, Honorary PCF Member Susan Andres and Gene Pastrana at the 2005 Regular Chess Tournament in Malakal.
(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)
FIRST ROUND SURPRISES
THE FIRST round of the 2005 Regular Chess Tournament that was held on Sunday, Jan. 16, generated a few surprises with 15th seed Joel Azana leading the field with 2 straight wins over 19th seed Mariano Agustin, Jr. in 36 moves of a Bird's Opening and over 16th seed Morton Sawaichi in 29 moves of a Queen Pawn's Game where the latter blundered away his queen on the 18th move and never recovered.
Cyril Montel, Jr. outsmarted newcomer Eric Espartero in 32 moves of Caro-Kahn Defence. The talented Espartero displayed brilliance in the middle game when he put 2nd seed Roberto Hernandez on the brink of defeat but miscalculated the sequence of moves and allow Hernandez to equalize when he left his bishop unprotected and was mated by a pawn on the 48th move of Sicilian Defence (Alapin Variation).
The first tourney of the year is being sponsored by officers and members of Palau Paradise Lions Club and being held every Sunday at their office premises beside Palasia Hotel and Galaxy Video where the first contestant to arrive had paid for his registration fee of $10.00 but will play next Sunday.
Manuel Nedic, who resides in Ngeremlengui, is an avid reader of Chess Mate and solving the chess puzzles in the column is his only way to practice. He will play his first ever tournament game on Sunday against the first player available at 1pm.
Another 8 players didn't make it in the opening round and will play 2 games on the 2nd round. They are defending champion Eddie Grefiel, Jose Omega, Gene Pastrana, Mario Ramos, Dennis Gonzales, Den Canaria, Tutii Joe Chilton and Jimboy de Jesus, who showed up but didn't play.
The trophies for the winners of the 2004 Open Chess Tournament were awarded to Jimmy Valenzuela (2nd runner-up, Class A), Agustin, Jr. (1st runner-up, Class B), Hernandez (1st runner-up, Class A) and Canaria (2nd runner-up, Class B). The trophy were awarded at Filco Thrift Mart in Malakal.
The Most Improved Player trophy was awarded also to Lin de Guzman, who clobbered Bong Alipoon in the last game of the day.
OTHER RESULTS OF THE 1ST AND SPECIAL 2ND ROUND:
Valenzuela halved the point with Agustin, Jr. in a bishop-of-the-same-color endgame; former champion Menandro Manuel dealt Agustin, Jr. his 2nd loss of the day and 9th seed Valenzuela upset 5th seed Montel, Jr. in 74 moves of a French Defence.
In the kid's division, defending champion Em-R de Vera lost to Chris Domingo (2-0) in their best-of-3 series opener. They practiced with Valenzuela and Manuel in a handicap format to prepare in joining the seniors if the participants in the junior division will not reach at least 4.
A 9-year-old Israeli boy (Liam Bornovsky) will join the fray as his parents talked to the Chairman (Hernandez) to let their son to participate in his very first tournament game.
They said that he is already beating his father in practice.
Israel is a powerhouse in world chess as they are seeded 3rd in the 36th Chess Olympiad held in Mallorca, Spain in Oct. 14-31, 2004. They finished 5th behind eventual champion Ukraine and top seed Russia.
In a special game through telephone on Monday, Jan. 17, Mario Ramos played against 3rd seed Ivan II Chess Computer and defeated the formidable machine in 54 moves of Four Knights Defence with the white pieces. Ramos informed the Chairman that he can't make it on the opening day and that he will play 2 games next Sunday. He resides in the very far end of Ngechsar state and it is 45 minutes trip by car to Koror. He now has a 3-1 win-loss record against Ivan II.
Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Pages 9-10
Volume 15
Issue 04
January 21-28, 2005
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