(1053) 2004 OPEN (Round 1 -- Classification) TBN-July 16-23, 2004

Round 1, 2nd Game of Classification - Roberto vs. Bong
    A poor start for Roberto as he lost to Bong Alipoon in the 1st round of the 5-round Classification to determine the Top 9 players of Class A and 7 players of Class B of the 2004 Open Chess Tournament to be held from July 11-Oct. 03 at Filco Thrift Mart.
                                       (Photo by Roberto Hernandez) 



                           2004 OPEN
        ROUND 1 -- CLASSIFICATION

While having a 6-week vacation in Philippines in May 29 - July 10, 2004, I was able to make a banner/streamer for the 2004 Open Chess Tournament using paint and used banner from Palau, using the other side which is still okay.

  
 After only a week of exposure to sun and rain, the part where the word "TOURNAMENT", the paint starts to crack so I get it down and put a dark blue duct tape to replace it and presto! More stronger and straight lines at the edges of the letters.

THE PARTICIPANTS OF THE EVENT AND THEIR APPROXIMATE NATIONAL RATINGS:

1. Ivan II Chess Computer (1991)
2. Eddie Grefiel (1954)
3. Roberto Hernandez (1885)
4. Menandro Manuel (1864)
5. Jess Toldoya (1811)
6. Cyril Montel, Jr. (1804)
7. Jimmy Valenzuela (1739)
8. Jose Omega (1718)
9. Bong Alipoon (1676) 
10. Mariano Agustin, Jr. (1640)
11. Joel Azana (1500)
12. Den Canaria (1500)
13. Dennis Gonzales (1500)
14. Jerry Sermeno (1500)
15. Morton Sawaichi (1500)  

There is a 5-round Classification to determine the Class A group and the Class B group.

In the 1st round of Classification, Menandro Manuel drubbed Jose Omega....

And at the other table, Cyril Montel, Jr. outwitted Mariano Agustin, Jr., with Bong Alipoon, standing, nipping Roberto Hernandez, left, at above photo in 43 moves of Pirc Defence (Miscellaneous Systems).
THE MOVES:   [Event "2004 Palau Open"]
[Site "Koror City, Palau"][Date "2004.07.11"][Round "1"]
[White "Hernandez, Roberto"][Black "Alipoon , Bong"]
[Result "0-1"][ECO "B07"][White Elo "1885"
[BlackElo "1676"][Ply Count "86"] 
        1. e4 d6 2. d4 a6 3. c4 Nf6 4. Nc3 Nbd7 5. Nf3 b6 6. Bd3 Bb7 7. O-O e5 8. d5 h6 9. Be3 Be7 10. Qd2 Bc8 11. Rac1 Nc5 12. Bb1 Bg4 13. Ne1 Bh5 14. f4 exf4 15. Bxf4 Ncd7 16. Nd3 Bg6 17. Nb4 O-O 18. Nc6 Qe8 19. e5 dxe5 20. Bxe5 Bd6 21. Bxf6 Nxf6 22. Bxg6 fxg6 23. Rce1 Qd7 24. Re6 Rae8 25. Nd4 Bc5 26. Rxe8 Rxe8 27. Kh1 Ne4 28. Nxe4 Rxe4 29. Ne6 Rxe6 30. b4 Bf8 31. Qc3 Re4 32. Qf3 Qf5 33. Qd3 Qe5 34. Qf3 Bd6 35. Qf7+ Kh7 36. g3 Re2 37. c5 bxc5 38. bxc5 Bxc5 39. Rf4 Re1+ 40. Kg2 Bg1 41. Kh3 Qb2 42. Kg4 Qxh2 43. Rf3 Qh5+ 0-1


The other 2 games played were between Jess Toldoya and Morton Sawaichi, where the former prevailed while newcomer Den Canaria touted Jimmy Valenzuela.

The tournament is sponsored by Nestor Canaria, who is also sponsoring the cash prizes and trophies for the top 5 finishers in Class A and trophies only for the top 3 finishers of Class B. He owns and operates the venue -- Filco Thrift Mart in Malakal Koror, Palau.


Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
                Tia Belau Newspaper
                Pages 9-10
                Volume 13
                July 16-23, 2004