THE BEGINNING OF HOSTING A CHESS EVENT
New
venue host Gene Pastrana, middle, played in the 3rd round of 2004
Rapid Chess tilt. Although he lost his first ever serious game against Roberto
Hernandez, he bounced back and won the next 2 over Morton Sawaichi, left, and
Mariano Agustin, Jr. In the background are Cyril Montel, Jr. and Menandro
Manuel watching the junior players practicing and using the blue and big
mechanical chess clock bought by Roberto in the Philippines during his
vacation.
PASTRANA -- NEW VENUE HOST
AFTER participating in the last 3 major chess tournaments
in Palau, Gene Pastrana is ready to host the 2005-2006 Rapid Chess Tournament
that will commence on October 23, 2005 and will conclude on Feb. 12, 2006 at
the premises of his Jean’s Boutique and Store just across Sacred Heart Church.
Exactly
a year ago (Oct. 24, 2004), Gene was persuaded by Roberto Hernandez to join the
2004 Rapid Chess Tournament because the venue, the Parish Center for Migrants,
is just across his Jean’s Boutique and Store. It was co-sponsored by The
Filipino Community in Palau (TFCP), Margarita Borja Dalton (Beverage Sponsor)
and Kelvin Cuenco of Kabayan Restaurant (Refreshment Sponsor).
Gene
finished at 11th spot with an 8-9-0 win-loss-draw slate, ahead of
Joel Azana, Morton Sawaichi, Dennis Gonzales, Mariano Agustin, Jr., Wilson
Milambiling, Pastor Fontanilla and Mike Miguel, Jr. It is also in this
tournament that a new junior champion of Palau was proclaimed – Em-R de Vera.
The
venue is like a ‘home court’ advantage for Jose Misael de Jesus as he is living
just 2 meters from that venue. Maybe the home court advantage favored De Jesus
as he finished a very strong 3rd place ahead of Menandro Manuel (4th),
Cyril Montel, Jr. (5th), Jose Omega, Ivan II Chess Computer, Jimmy
Valenzuela, Lin de Guzman, Bong Alipoon, Gene Pastrana and 7 others as
mentioned above.
De
Jesus defeated eventual champion Eddie Grefiel while Hernandez finished 1st
Runner-Up again in succession (2004 Open, 2004 Rapid and 2005 Regular).
In
the 2005 Regular Chess Tournament, held from January 16-April 17, and sponsored
by Palau Paradise Lion’s Club, Gene and Dennis Gonzales finished tied at 9th-10th
place with an identical 10-7-4 win-loss-draw record. Gonzales edged him in
winning the Most Improved Player award via tiebreak.
Gene
improved a lot in the next tourney, the 2005 Open Chess Tournament that was
held from May 22-Sept. 25 and being sponsored this time by Bendix N. Lakobong,
Leo Lacambra, Jr. and Roswell C. Macapagal of T-Shirt Printing Atbp.
He
finished tied again for 6th-8th place with Jimmy
Valenzuela and Morton Sawaichi with an identical 7-7-1 win-loss-draw card. This
time, he edged Valenzuela and Sawaichi and won his first chess trophy (Most
Improved Player).
SOLUTION TO LAST WEEK’S PUZZLE: (It is white to move, not
black. And mates in 2, not 3)
1. Qc7 a6 2. Qc5 mate
1. Qc7 a5 2. Qc5 mate
1. Qc7 Kb4 2. Qc5 mate.
Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Pages 9-10
Volume 14
October 14-21, 2005
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