Palau Chessmate: October 2015

More new talents in chess are discovered in Palau every year. This year, Allan Alcid, 2^nd from left, won 3 titles in a few months (2 of them 1^st place finish). In the current 2015 PNCC, he outwitted Tito Cabunagan, 3^rd from left, who is posing here against another talented newcomer Angelo Salvadora, who has yet to win in his first National Chess Championship participation.

(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

ALCID UPSETS TITO;

CYRIL, JEFF, BERNARD,

PAX, FELIX WIN

THE SECOND round of 2015 Palau National Chess Championship was the busiest week so far with the organizing Palau Chess Federation running out of chessboards and clocks, and pens also. More than 20 pens were issued to players in the last 2 rounds and only 4 were returned. In the 3^rd round on Sunday, Oct. 25, they have to share with available ball pens unless Felix Oling will donate a hundred pens, as he promised.

The first upset of the tourney was recorded by top qualifier Allan Alcid over 3^rd seed Tito Cabunagan in 39 moves of Sicilian Defence (Pelikan and Sveshnikov Variations). Allan showed signs of toughness after playing accurately till the 38^th move, when Tito blundered by 38…. Bf5. Instead of capturing the “a” pawn with the king or bishop, its promotion became unstoppable.

THE MOVES: Alcid, Allan - Cabunagan, Tito (1825) [B01]

2015 PNCC (2), 18.10.2015

           1. e4 d5 2.e5 d4 3.Bc4 Nc6 4.Nf3 h6 5.h3 Bf5 6.d3 e6 7.0–0 Bc5 8.c3 Nge7 9.b4 Bb6 10.Bb2 dxc3 11.Bxc3 Nd5 12.Bxd5 Qxd5 13.a4 Rd8 14.a5 Bd4 15.Bxd4 Nxd4 16.Ra3 Nxf3+ 17.Qxf3 Qxf3 18.gxf3 Rxd3 19.Rc1 Rxa3 20.Nxa3 c6 21.b5 Kd7 22.bxc6+ bxc6 23.Rd1+ Kc7 24.Kg2 Rd8 25.Re1 Rd5 26.Nc4 g5 27.Nd6 Bg6 28.a6 Kb6 29.Rc1 c5 30.Ra1 Kc7 31.Nb5+ Kb8 32.Ra2 Rxe5 33.Rb2 Bd3 34.Nd6+ Kc7 35.Nxf7 Rd5 36.Rb7+ Kc6 37.Rxa7 Kb6 38.Re7 Bf5 39.a7         1–0

            The 1^st round matches of Dennis Gonzales vs. Jeff Balbalosa and Paquito Pax Suringa, Jr. vs. CM Bernardo Garcia did not happen. Instead, they played their 2^nd round match with Paquito subduing Angelo Salvadora; Bernard outwitted Gonzales and Jeff clobbered Manuel Mahor, Jr.

            The longest game of the day belongs to Cyril again, this time against top seed Roberto Hernandez. Their very instructive game was witnessed by many chess enthusiasts who saw a seesaw battle of the current top 2 chess players of Palau. They managed their time so nicely that when Cyril blundered away a bishop, Roberto became overconfident and lost instead in a marathon 54 moves of Nimzovitz-Larsen Opening. As in the first round, Cyril finished the round after 6pm.

THE MOVES: Hernandez, Roberto (1840) - Montel, Jr., Cyril Tomas (1837) [A01]

2015 PNCC (2), 18.10.2015

           1.b3 e5 2.Bb2 Nc6 3.Nf3 e4 4.Nd4 Nxd4 5.Bxd4 d5 6.e3 Nf6 7.c4 c5 8.Bxf6 Qxf6 9.Nc3 d4 10.Nxe4 Qe5 11.Ng3 h5 12.f4 Qe6 13.f5 Qe5 14.e4 h4 15.Nh5 Bxf5 16.d3 Bg6 17.g4 Bxe4 18.Qe2 0–0–0 19.Qxe4 Qc7 20.0–0–0 Be7 21.Bg2 g6 22.Nf4 Bg5 23.Rhf1 Rhe8 24.Qf3 Re3 25.Qf2 Rde8 26.Kb1 Qa5 27.Qd2 Qxd2 28.Rxd2 Re1+ 29.Rd1 Rxd1+ 30.Rxd1 Bxf4 31.Rf1 g5 32.h3 Re2 33.Bd5 f6 34.Be4 b6 35.a3 a5 36.Ka1 Kd7 37.Kb1 Kd6 38.Ka1 Ke5 39.Bf5 Bd2 40.Be4 Bf4 41.Bf5 Re3 42.Rh1 Rg3 43.Kb1 Rg2 44.Re1+ Be3 45.Rf1 Rg3 46.Rh1 Kf4 47.Be4 Bg1 48.Kc2 Ke3 49.Kd1 Kf2 50.a4 Rebxc63 51.b4 Rxe4 52.dxe4 Kg2 53.Rxg1+ Kxg1 54.Ke2 axb4         0–1

            In the Gonzales-Garcia match, it takes accurate coordination of his 2 rooks and queen that forces Gonzales to resign facing mate in one. Pax and Roberto analyzed the position in which Pax thought that Dennis will be ahead by a rook but analyses shows that Dennis will be mated in 4 moves if he will accept the sacrificed piece.

THE MOVES: Gonzales, Dennis (1680) - Garcia, Bernardo (1734) [D10] 2015 PNCC (2), 18.10.2015

          1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.c5 Bf5 4.Nc3 Nf6 5.Bg5 Nbd7 6.Nf3 Ne4 7.Bf4 Qa5 8.Bd2 Nxd2 9.Qxd2 e5 10.e3 exd4 11.exd4 Be7 12.Be2 0–0 13.0–0 b6 14.cxb6 axb6 15.a3 Rad8 16.b4 Qa7 17.Rfe1 Rfe8 18.Qf4 Bg6 19.Nh4 Qb7 20.Nxg6 fxg6 21.Bf3 Rf8 22.Qd2 Bd6 23.b5 Nf6 24.Re6 c5 25.Rxf6 Bxh2+ 26.Kxh2 Rxf6 27.dxc5 Qb8+ 28.Kg1 bxc5 29.Bxd5+ Kh8 30.Qe2 Re8 31.Qc4 Ref8 32.f3 Rf4 33.Qxc5 Qe5 34.Rc1 R4f5 35.a4 Rd8 36.b6 Rb8 37.Kf2 Qf4 38.Qc7 Qd2+ 39.Kg3 Rg5+ 40.Kh4 Rf8 41.Ne4 Rf4+ 42.g4 [42.Kxg5 h6+ 43.Kxg6 Qxg2+ 44.Ng3 Qxg3+ 45.Kh5 Rh4#] 42...Qh2+      0–1

            There is a new player that joined the Women Division. Her name is Angelica Berlene Magno, who is just new in Palau but she played chess in her school in Philippines. She tested her chess skills against 3^rd seed Gladys Anne Paloma and lost to her. Gladys is currently pregnant. Earlier report said that she delivered already a baby boy but that is incorrect. She just had an ultra sound and it is another boy. They have already two boys.

            In the Reserves Division, Felix Oling was underestimated by his opponent, John Malinao and mated him in just 17 moves; Nilo de Jesus lost by default to Glen Navarroza when he failed to show up because he is playing basketball. Gonzalo Escapatoria, Jr. also won.

            Round 3 games of Top 10 Division: 1. Cabunagan vs. Hernandez 2. Salvadora vs. Montel, Jr. 3. Balbalosa vs. Alcid 4. Garcia vs. Mahor, Jr. and 5. Suringa, Jr. vs. Gonzales.

            Solution to last week’s puzzle No. 3791: 1. Nb6+! axb6 2. Qxc6+!! bxc6 3. Ba6 mate.

            This week’s puzzle No. 3792: White to move and mates in 3 (Solution next issue)

Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez

Tia Belau Newspaper

Page 9

Volume 24

Issue 86

October 26, 2015

(1104) NEDIC UPSETS TOP SEED HERNANDEZ IN ROUND 7 (TBN- July 08-15, 2005)

: HIS PRACTICE BEFORE IS SOLVING CHESS MATE’S CHESS PUZZLES

Manuel Nedic, right, admitted to Roberto Hernandez, left, that his only chess practice before is solving the chess puzzles in Tia Belau’s Chess Mate column by Roberto Hernandez. In his 2^nd serious chess tournament, Nedic defeated Hernandez. Others in the photo are the first game of the day, Jimmy Valenzuela, 2^nd from right, vs. Gene Pastrana, while Bong Alipoon, middle, takes on Joel Azana, the one taking this photo. Susan Andres, on Alipoon’s right, is an Honorary Member of Palau Chess Federation. A Palauan guy, standing at left, is watching the games. (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

NEDIC UPSETS TOP SEED HERNANDEZ

IN ROUND 7

IN HIS 2^nd chess tournament participated in Palau, newcomer Manuel Nedic (1759 National Rating) showed his full potential of being a great player by upsetting top seed Roberto Hernandez (2056) in 41 moves of Dutch Defence in the 7^th round of 2005 Open Chess Tournament held on Sunday, July 03 at Privilege Family Store in Malakal.

THE MOVES:

Nedic, Manuel (1759) - Hernandez, Roberto (2056) [A85]

2005 Open (Palau) (7), 03.07.2005

1.d4 f5 2.c4 Nf6 3.Nc3 e6 4.Nf3 Bb4 5.Bg5 0–0 6.Qc2 Qe8 7.Bxf6 Rxf6 8.e3 f4 9.Bd3 Qh5 10.0–0–0 Bxc3 11.Qxc3 fxe3 12.fxe3 Nc6 13.Rdf1 a5 14.a3 a4 15.Rhg1 Na5 16.g4 Qf7 17.Ng5 Nb3+ 18.Kb1 Qe7 19.Bxh7+ Kh8 20.h4 d5 21.Bd3 Bd7 22.Bc2 dxc4 23.Bxb3 cxb3 24.Qd3 Rh6 25.Nf7+ Kg8 26.Nxh6+ gxh6 27.g5 h5 28.Rf6 Be8 29.Rgf1 Rd8 30.Qe4 Rd6 31.Qf4 Kg7 32.Qe5 Kg8 33.Qf4 Rc6 34.g6 Kg7 35.Qg5 Qd6 36.Rf7+ Kg8 37.Qh6 Rc1+ 38.Kxc1 Qc6+ 39.Kb1 Qc2+ 40.Ka1 Bxf7 41.Qh7+ 1–0

The 2^nd tournament of the year is being sponsored by Palau businessman Bendix N. Lakobong, his Operations Managers Leo Lacambra, Jr. and Roswell C. Macapagal of T-Shirt Printing Atbp. They are sponsoring the 5 trophies and $50.00 cash for Brilliancy Game.

The first game of the day was between Gene Pastrana (1822) and Jimmy Valenzuela (1994), in which the former defeated the latter. There were only 3 games played in the 7^th round, with the 3^rd game ending with 4^th seed Bong Alipoon (2012) clobbering another chess player with great potential – Joel Azana (1789).

Second seed Cyril Montel, Jr. (2044) and 3^rd seed Jose Omega 2027) didn’t make it due to job schedule conflict while Menandro Manuel (2061) and Lin de Guzman will skip this tourney but will participate in blitz chess competition after the completion of regular games.

There’s not enough player for blitz chess contest this week but next week, July 10, a Mid-Year Blitz Chess Festival is set. If the participants are less than 10, it would be double round-robin event with 5 minutes time control and $5.00 registration fee as usual.

Nedic finished at 8^th in the first tourney of the year – the 2005 Regular Chess Tournament, with 11-5-5 win-loss-draw record for a total of 13.5 points. Not bad for a first time participant. Among his victims are Mario Ramos(1890), Ivan II Chess Computer (2006), Mariano Agustin, Jr.(1636), Marcial Rodriguez (1571), Lin de Guzman (1776), Liam Bornovski (1500), Ronald Maomay (1500), Eric Espartero (1579), Em-R de Vera, Christopher Domingo and Jimmy Valenzuela (1994). He drew with Cyril Montel, Jr., Menandro Manuel, Tutii Joe Chilton, Joel Azana and Gene Pastrana.

He lost to Hernandez, Omega (in their adjourned game resumption), Dennis Gonzales, Alipoon and surprisingly to Morton Sawaichi.

SOLUTION TO LAST WEEK’S PUZZLE: (White to move and mates in 5) the one and only puzzle in this column that is mate in 5. Mostly it’s mate in 3 or 2. 1. Qxg7+!! Kxg7 2. Rg3+ Kh6 3. Bc1+ Kh5 4. Rg5+ Kxh4 5. g3 mate.

Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez

Tia Belau Newspaper

Pages 9-10

Volume 14

July 08-15, 2005

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

(1102) MUSIC AND ME (Oct. 15, 2015) FREE ENTERTAINMENT FOR NOTHING

On August 06, 2015, the Chinese guy at right sits at a chair near the piano of Waves Restaurant of Palau Royal Resort. He surfing the internet for free while listening to my playing of Chinese songs. He's always applauding after every song. Later I gave him my business card. At 9:00 pm, I told him that I will be playing another 2 hours of keyboard music at Breeze Bar of PRR just a few meters away.
He's excited about it and come with me in going to Breeze Bar. On the way, he called his daughter, left, to join him in listening to my music. His teenage daughter can play the piano. I let her play for two or more songs. They begun to enjoy the night playing/singing Chinese songs.

Later, they were joined by his wife and he plays the keyboard for a few minutes. I gave his wife the Chinese song book and she requested the most popular Chinese song -- Yue Liang Dai Biao Wo De Xin, Ye Lai Xiang and Tien Mimi.

They were joined later by his other older daughter and her son. A family of musicians, I thought so. They enjoy the evening alternately playing and singing with me.

THEY SHOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT SINCE THEY ARE ENJOYING THE NIGHT, THEY SHOULD AT LEAST ORDER A DRINK OR TWO SO THAT THERE WILL BE SOMETHING AS SALES TO BREEZE BAR.

BUT WHEN I ASKED THEM TO ORDER DRINKS, THEY REFUSED.
IT'S OKAY TO ME IF THEY DIDN'T GIVE ME ANY TIP BUT REFUSING TO ORDER EVEN A SINGLE DRINK FOR ALL OF THEM IS A SIGN OF STINGINESS.

THAT'S FREE ENTERTAINMENT -- CHINESE STYLE.

CONTINUATION OF
REPERTOIRE OF INTERNATIONAL SONGS

-- Q -- -- R --

QUANDO, QUANDO, QUANDO (Engelbert Humperdinck) G 76

1956 QUE SERA, SERA (Whatever Will Be, Will Be) (Doris Day) V 53

QUESTION (Mandred Mann’s Earth Band) DB 63

QUIEN SERA (Spanish Song) DBI 2

QUIJOTE (Julio Iglesias) (Spanish Song) DBI 18

QUIZAS, QUIZAS, QUIZAS (Trio Los Panchos) (Spanish Song) DBI 34

R A I N (Donna Cruz) (Filipino Song) V 97

1969 R A I N (Jose Feliciano) B 12

1979 RAINBOW CONNECTION (Dana Valery) DB102

1970 RAINDROPS KEEP FALLIN’ ON MY HEAD (B. J. Thomas) V 54

1971 RAINY DAYS AND MONDAYS (Carpenters) R 126

RANCHO GRANDE (Spanish Song)

196 REACH OUT I’ll BE THERE (Four Tops) B 124

1977 READY TO TAKE A CHANCE AGAIN (Barry Manilow) DB103

REALITY (Daniel Bernard) B 95

REASON TO BELIEVE (Rod Stewart) (Lobo) (Carpenters) R 180

1948 RED ROSESFOR A BLUE LADY R 68

RED SAILS IN THE SUNSET V 55

REFLECTIONS OF MY LIFE G 60

REFRAIN (Jose Mari Chan) (Filipino Song) OPM158

1954 RELEASE ME (Engelbert Humperdinck) V 56

REMEMBER ME

REMEMBER WHEN (Platters)

REMINISCING (Little River Band) DB224

REST YOUR LOVE ON ME (Andy Gibb & Olivia Newton-John) B 13

1962 RETURN TO SENDER (Elvis Presley)

1979 REUNITED (Peaches and Herb) R 42

1975 RHINESTONE COWBOY (Glen Campbell) G 94

196 RHYTHM OF THE RAIN (Cascades) B 116

1989 RIGHT HERE WAITING (Richard Marx) B 213

1955 ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK (Bill Haley and The Comets) DB188

ROCK ‘N’ ROLL MUSIC (Beatles) R 205

ROPPONGI RARABAI (Japanese Song) J 36

1971 ROSE GARDEN (Lyn Anderson) G 118

ROSEMARY BLUE (Neil Sedaka) DB225

ROSE OF SAN ANTON (John Denver) G 48

RUN FOR YOUR LIFE (Beatles) R 207

RUN, SAMSON, RUN

1972 RUN TO ME (Bee Gees) DB 29

1945 RUM AND COCA-COLA (Andrew Sisters) B 73

Sources: Music and Me
   By Roberto Hernandez
   Tia Belau Newspaper
   March 15, 2012 -- April 2013
   http://palau-chess.blogspot.com
   April 2013 --October 15, 2015

Chess and Music (Perfect Combination)
The Beginning of Chess in Palau
By Roberto Hernandez
To be published as a book in the future

Palau Chessmate

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

(1106) CHESS MATE ISSUES No. 51--100 and the LINKS

(1105) ALCID UPSETS TITO; CYRIL, JEFF, BERNARD, PAX FELIX WIN (TBN-Oct. 26, 2015)

(1104) NEDIC UPSETS TOP SEED HERNANDEZ IN ROUND 7 (TBN- July 08-15, 2005)

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

(1102) MUSIC AND ME (Oct. 15, 2015) FREE ENTERTAINMENT FOR NOTHING

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