(1167) PHOTOS -- PENULTIMATE AND FINAL ROUND OF 2016 PALAU BLITZ CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP (Feb. 28, 2016)

Joan Gemota, right, vs. Manuel 'Jun' Mahor, Jr. in the penultimate round while Dennis Gonzales, 2nd from right, is up against 3rd seed Roberto Hernandez, who is taking this photo. At Dennis right is Joel Gemota, vs. Arnolfo Inres.                      (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

FINALLY, Jeff Balbalosa, 2nd from right, claimed his first National Chess Championship title but in the Blitz format after topping the 2016 Palau Blitz Chess Championship at Surangel Campaign Headquarters at the premises of Mason’s Hardware on Feb. 28, the same date of TFCP Election of officers for 2016-2017.

                                             (Photo by Roberto Hernandez -- Taken by Glen Navarroza)

 

Prior to the penultimate and final round, top seed Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr., left, is leading with 4.5 in 5 games while 2^nd seed Tito Cabunagan, right, and 3^rd seed Roberto Hernandez have 3 points each going into the last 2 rounds of this 7-round Swiss system event that started on Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14) at Bethlehem Park. The 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th, 6^th and 7^th rounds were played at the Headquarters.

Cyril, right, is on his way to his 6^th consecutive national chess championships, if he would win even one of his 2 remaining games. But it’s not meant to be. He overlooked an illegal move by his last round opponent, Tito, and captured a bishop instead of pointing an illegal move by Tito, who immediately moved his king and carried on to win in the endgame.      (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

 

                                  THE FINAL POSITION -- MONTEL, JR. VS. CABUNAGAN

Roberto,who is awarding the medal to Mahor, Jr.  (3rd place), is 4^th and Cyril settled for 5^th. He is still analyzing his game against Tito while the 3 medals are being awarded to the top 3 finishers.

                                                        (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

After 7 rounds, 4 players are tied at the top with 5 points each—Jeff, 2nd from right, Roberto, left, Tito, 2nd from left, and Manuel ‘Jun’ Mahor, Jr., right. The tiebreak were used (including winner over the other (or direct encounter) and more number of wins) and Jeff prevailed over the 3, with Tito at 2^nd and Mahor, Jr. at 3^rd.                                          (Photo by Roberto Hernandez -- Taken by Glen Navarroza)

Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
               Tia Belau Newspaper
               December 29, 2002 -- February 28, 2016

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

               Music and Me by Roberto Hernandez
               Tia Belau Newspaper
               March 15, 2012 -- February 28, 2016
               http://palau-chess.blogspot.com

              The History of Chess in Palau 
              By Roberto Hernandez
              June 09, 2002--February 28, 2016