THE JACK OF ALL TRADES JAMES DELA CRUZ
James
dela Cruz is the most knowledgeable individual in Palau, in my opinion.
He designed the landscape of Palau Royal Resort for $90,000.00 in
partnership with Lazar Tmechtul, who owns this first vegetarian
restaurant in Palau, wherein James also do the landscaping and other
meticulous skeptics of this place. At James' left is a small 'canal'
where a 4-foot crocodile is being 'kept' before being sold. It rained
hard one day and the crocodile escaped.
(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)
WOODEN TROPHIES c/o
JAMES DELA CRUZ
My father, Feliciano Hernandez, told me once this phrase:
"Tell me who your friends are and I'll tell you who you are".
It's good to have friends like James dela Cruz, who is a 'Jack of all Trade', as he knew a lot of things but master of none.
I
taught him how to play piano and one time while I'm passing his room,
he is playing "Imagine" by John Lennon, which I taught him for a few
minutes. When I heard him playing it, I thought I'm hearing myself
playing "Imagine".
He also knows how to play guitar and he gave me a Yamaha guitar as show of appreciation for giving him a flat screen TV (used).
He's
a licensed seaman and knows landscaping, carpentry, car mechanic,
woodcraft specialist, denture maker, licensed amateur basketball
referee, basketball player, electrician, and a chess player, wherein he
participated in the 2005 Regular Chess Tournament and in the 2005-2006
Palau Rapid Chess Championship prior to his departure for good to
Philippines.
His
employer, Melwert Tmechtul, doesn't like talent like that not being
used in his many businesses. He went to Manila and convinced James to
come back again to Palau and start the first ever vegetarian restaurant
in Palau.
During
this venture of making a meticulous wooden designs of the place, I used
to visit him and even donated my drill and angled grinder to him and
Lazar, where she gave me and my wife a place to stay and teach her 3
kids piano.
When
James is about to have a vacation in November 2013, I gave him $60.00
for the crafting of mahogany wood as trophies for the last 2 chess
tourneys in Palau that will be awarded to the following winners:
WOODEN TROPHIES
c/o
James dela Cruz
1. (King-shaped) ROBERTO HERNANDEZ
Champion
2013
Palau Rapid Chess Championship
2. (King) J
O S E C E L I Z
Champion
2013 Palau Blitz Chess Championship
3. (King) J O S E
C E L I Z
Champion
2013 Palau National Chess Championship
4. (Queen) CM BERNARDO
GARCIA
1st Runner-up
2013
Palau National Chess Championship
(Top
12 Division)
5. (King) MANUEL
MAHOR, JR.
Champion
2013
Palau National Chess Championship
(Reserves Division)
6. (Queen) REMREL DIZON
1st Runner-up
2013 Palau
National Chess Championship
(Reserves Division)
7. (King) ANGELICA
PARRADO
Champion
2013
Palau National Chess Championship
(Women Division)
8. (Queen) BABY EDNA
MISSION
1st Runner-up
2013 Palau
National Chess Championship
(Women Division)
9. (King) KSAU
ANTHONY WHIPPS
Champion
2013 Palau
National Chess Championship
(Junior
Division)
10. (Queen) DESTINY SISIOR
1st Runner-up
2013 Palau
National Chess Championship
(Junior Division)
11. (Queen) TITO CABUNAGAN
1st Runner-up
2013 Palau
Rapid Chess Championship
12. (Rook) CYRIL TOMAS
MONTEL, JR.
2ND Runner-up
2013 Palau
Rapid Chess Championship
13. (Bishop or
Knight) PAQUITO SURINGA,
JR.
3rd Runner-up
2013 Palau
Rapid Chess Championship
Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
December 29, 2002--July 21, 2016
Music and Me by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
March 15, 2012 -- April 18, 2013
http://palau-chess.blogspot.com
April 25, 2013--July 21, 2016
The History of Chess in Palau
By Roberto Hernandez
June 09, 2002--July 21, 2016
MORE THAN 6 YEARS AGO
James
dela Cruz, 2nd from right, is back in Palau. Here, he's participating
in the Awarding Ceremony of 2005 Open Chess Tourney sponsored by Leo
Lacambra, 3rd from right, who has recently won the presidency of The
Filipino Community in Palau (TFCP). The others in the photo are Palau
no. 1 Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr., 3rd from left, Jose Omega, right,
co-sponsor Roswell Macapagal, left, and PCF Secretary/Treasurer Roberto
Hernandez, 2nd from left.
(Photo by: Ma. Florida M. Hernandez)
JAMES, THE JACK OF ALL TRADE,
IS BACK IN PALAU
JAIME DELA CRUZ, popularly known
as James, has participated in the later rounds of 2005 Open Chess Tournament
held from May 22-Sept. 25 at Privilege Store premises in Malakal. He finished a
respectable 9th place with a 7-8-0 win-loss-draw record among 16
contestants.
In
2005-2006 Rapid Chess Tournament held at Jean’s Boutique and Store from Oct.
23, 2005-Feb. 12, 2006, he didn’t finish all his games and placed 28th
among 29 participants with a 3-48-5 slate in the double round robin tourney
that has been the most hectic chess tournament in Palau. The top 10 finishers
of that event were Menandro Manuel, Edwin Eti, Manny Nedic, Cyril Montel, Jr., Bong
Alipoon, Jimmy Valenzuela, Roberto Hernandez, Jose Omega, Jose Misael de Jesus
and Felix Lapitan.
James
donated a big tent cover for the parking area of Jean’s Boutique so that
players will have bigger space to play their games. He also donated the trophies
for that tourney—beautifully carved big wooden chess pieces which he made.
That’s
one of his numerous talents aside from engineering, interior designing,
landscaping (he designed the Palau Royal Resort landscaping), auto mechanic,
electrician, basketball player/coach/referee, musician, dental braces maker and
everything more that you can think of.
In
January 2012, he became the first Filipino basketball referee that officiated
in a locally held basketball tournament twice a week. He’s got an amateur basketball
referee license from Philippines.
He’s
now working with Melwert Tmetuchl and currently designing the building
where the first vegetarian restaurant in Palau with perfect view, will
be built. There's a fruit farm and a botanical garden next to it.
James
and Roberto Hernandez, the Secretary/Treasurer of Palau Chess Federation,
became friends in 2005 when Hernandez and his wife Flor stayed for a few months
in Airai View Hotel Annex where James worked part-time with Lazar, Melwert’s
wife.
Being
with a Jack of All Trade guy is a golden opportunity for Hernandez to expand
his knowledge about the things that James knew. In return, Hernandez taught
James keyboard lessons where the latter was the best student Hernandez ever
had. When James is playing “Imagine” by himself and Hernandez is passing by, he
thought that it’s him (Hernandez) playing the keyboard!
When
James went back home in Philippines in late November 2005, Hernandez gave him a
keyboard that he will get in Hernandez’ house in Hagonoy, Bulacan. James even
asked Hernandez for some chess materials so that he can organize chess
tournaments while staying in Philippines.
After
more than six years staying with his wife in Philippines, Melwert finally
convinced James to come back to Palau for his big project that will include
also some 20 cottages for high-end tourists to stay. While staying in his house
alone, Hernandez usually visits him for more bonding, learning more about chess
participation in the coming tournaments and sharing their knowledge. WELCOME
BACK TO PALAU, MR. JACK OF ALL TRADE! Or maybe MR. JAMES OF ALL
TRADE!!!
Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Pages 9-10
Volume 21
Issue 06
February 06, 2012
LOCALLY MADE WOODEN TROPHIES
Cyril
Tomas Montel, Jr., right, receiving one of his numerous runner-up
trophies from venue host Gene Pastrana during the 2006 Palau National
Chess Championship. The locally made wooden chess trophies was made by
Jaime dela Cruz.
(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)
WHERE'S THE TROPHY?
THE GAME THAT
STARTED IT ALL
It's
just one game (Garcia vs. Celiz) but the impact to the top 5 finishers is
immense. But it makes Palau Chess Federation players to learn more from these
experiences. (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)
THE CAUSE OF 2012 PNCC CONTROVERSY
I
would like to express my opinion about the cause of 2012 Palau National Chess
Championship controversy…
It all started on Nov. 17, 2012 between the game of CM Bernardo
Garcia and Jose Celiz. Five players are witnesses to the game – me, Menandro
Manuel, Paquito Suringa, Jr., Jon Manuel Reyes and Baby Edna Mission.
During the last dying seconds of that game, I’ve already noticed that the
increment is not working BUT… I’m not allowed, being the chief arbiter, to
remind Celiz.
On the last 5 seconds on his clock, when Celiz press his clock, it’s been
confirmed that the increment is really not working… and Celiz clock expired.
The first thing that I said to Celiz is, “You lost by time forfeit.” By rule,
arbiter’s decision is final. Then Celiz complain about the increment that
didn’t work, in which I tried to give justice to it.
Garcia and Celiz agreed to play another game and I said to Garcia, “Let’s see
if there’s time.” I said that because I don’t think that playing another game
to settle this is not possible because of the rate Celiz is playing. He played
only 4 games in 6 weeks and it looks like impossible for him to play 11 games,
including the replay, in the last 2 weeks. Me, Menandro and Paquito have played
11 games already. Garcia, Tito Cabunagan, Cyril Montel, Jr. and Gonzalo Escapatoria
have played 9, 8, 7, 6 games respectively.
After searching the FIDE Laws of Chess, which is displayed/posted always at the
bulletin board, I found a solution to declare that game a draw which Garcia
couldn’t accept till now because Celiz COMPLAINED AFTER HIS CLOCK FELL.
If Celiz stopped the clock when he noticed that the increment is not working, I
would have done something right away like adjusting the clock so that it will
have increment.
BUT CELIZ FAILED TO COMPLAIN BEFORE HIS TIME EXPIRED. HE FAILED TO TAKE ACTION
WHILE THERE IS TIME SO HE AUTOMATICALLY LOST THAT GAME.
It happened in 1994 between world champion Gary Kasparov and Judit Polgar in
Linares, Spain. Polgar lost that game when she failed to protest a touch move
violation by Kasparov.
Please read the story at http://palau-chess.blogspot.com
“Did Kasparov Cheat Polgar in ’94?”
THIS IS AN ADVICE TO ALL –(IN THE FUTURE) –We don’t have yet an Appeals
Committee which can overturn the arbiter’s decision on point of fact or
exercise of discretion, but not on point of law.
Included in the agenda of our Annual General Meeting on
Feb. 10, 2013 is the creation of Appeals Committee to be composed of Palau’s 3
National Arbiters –Roberto Hernandez, CM Bernardo Garcia and Dennis Gonzales.
It’s late to protest after the game. Stop the clock and
protest right away. WE WILL APPLY THIS RULE TO ALL THE PROCEEDING TOURNAMENTS.
Garcia said that if that half point will have a big impact to the result of the
standings, he will continue to protest about it. Things become more complicated
when Celiz played 6 games on the 7th week, which is another violation
of a FIDE rule – a maximum of 2 games a day is allowed if the time control is
standard time.
Celiz played 3 games on Saturday, Nov. 24 and 3 games on Nov. 25 including his
2nd game against Cyril that lasted until 11:00 pm!
On the next tournaments, we will specify a minimum number of games played each
week or each couple of weeks to assure that a player will not have much game
remaining to play.
Another violation was committed when Celiz played against his co-employee
Cabunagan twice NOT in the official venue but in their room with no witnesses.
We are lucky to have a very good playing area and we should take advantage of
this. Besides, Celiz and Cabunagan are off on Saturday and Sunday AND THE TOURNAMENT
SITE IS JUST 300 METERS AWAY FROM THEIR PLACE.
There is another rule in FIDE that participants of the same federation must NOT
play against each other on the last 3 rounds. It is said “federation and not
company”, which is not applied in this case. Since our next tournaments are
local events, we will apply this rule that players of the same company must
play in the first 3 rounds and not in the last 3 rounds.
Cabunagan also played one game against Suringa in his room and without
witnesses also. It was allowed by the arbiter because Cabunagan is going off
island for 15 days. But when his trip was cancelled because of Typhoon Bopha,
they should replay that game in the official venue.
The only thing going against the games between Celiz and Cabunagan is the
venue. Now that it became an issue, we must include in our local rule the
consequence in playing games in non-sanctioned venue.
It is proper not to accept the results of their games and have them played anew
at the official venue. They replayed their 2 games NOT in the official venue
but in the presence of Cyril and Roberto. BUT… because Typhoon Bopha is
starting to lash Palau at about 6:00 pm that Sunday, Dec. 02, 2012, Cyril and
Roberto left the place with their 1st game still in the middle game.
During that time, all other games are completed and it was possible to affect
the final standings with their replayed games.
WITHOUT MAKING ACCUSATION OR INSINUATION, AS EVERYBODY SEE, TITO CAME FIRST AND
CELIZ ENDED UP 3RD OUT OF NOWHERE!
Those actions/violations of Celiz trigger the suspicion of Garcia of game
fixing. That’s why he suggested having a playoff so that those players who
played more games and got some good results after 7 weeks will play in the
playoffs on Saturday (semifinal) and finals on Sunday.
Celiz, being able to play only 10 games will be booted out in favor of Cyril,
who played 11 games and always at the tournament site every weekend.
Where is Celiz during the opening day and the next 10 playing days that he
played only 4 games in 6 weeks? And now he wants to play as many games as he
can in the last 2 weeks of the event?
Everybody is adjusting TO HIM instead of HIM adjusting to everybody.
With chance now for at least a top 4 finish, he is present on the last day
hoping to win by default if his last round opponent will not show up.
This is what GM Eugene Torre is saying – that the absent player loses by
default and their game will not be rated. WHAT ABOUT IF BOTH PLAYERS ARE
PRESENT?
Suringa’s work is finished at 2:00 pm on Sunday, Dec. 16 and he waited for
Celiz for 1 hour for their 2nd game. He played 2 practice games with
some present players (Class B) while waiting also for the last 2 official games
of Cyril and Escapatoria. He still has one game left vs. Cyril.
Their game on Sat. Nov. 15 was called off because Suringa is very busy cooking
food for PRR Christmas party that night. Cyril is also going to their Christmas
party.
When Celiz come, it’s now time for Suringa to go to a place where he has the
key to open it. Now it’s Celiz’ turn to wait.
DOES HE THINK THAT EVEN ON THE LAST DAY, PLAYERS WILL ADJUST TO HIM? EVEN ON
BUSY CHRISTMAS SEASON?
It’s just right to put + - or - /- to Celiz’ game vs. Suringa because
it’s not default… it is un-played game. GAMES NOT ACTUALLY PLAYED SHOULD NOT BE
RATED AND APPROPRIATELY RECORDED AS +/- or -/- (double forfeit). I’M VERY
SURE OF THIS.
They were not able to play it because Suringa and Cyril have
waited for him in the 12 playing days of the event. Maybe it’s better to have +
- in favor of Suringa.
In the 2011 Rapid Chess tournament at PRR, Celiz agreed to play vs. Mohammad
Manik Hossain at 11:00 am Sunday. Manik arrived at 11:30. He has to go back to
Airai, which is 10 kilometers away, for work at 3:00 pm.
Celiz and Cabunagan arrived at 1:30 pm when Manik is about to leave for work. I
declared that game a default loss to Celiz. They agreed to play their 2nd
game on next Sunday at 11:00 am again.
Celiz and Cabunagan came at 1:30 pm again!
They are staying at a place that is 300 meters from PRR while Manik is 10
kilometers away and had to spent money for gas in going to the tournament site.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU, CELIZ?
I declared that 2nd game another default loss to Celiz.
Manik is humble enough to offer a replay of their 2 games if Celiz will pay
$10.00 for the gas that he spent in going to PRR twice.
Being a stingy person as he is, (in my opinion), Celiz refused the offer. He
hasn’t paid yet his $10.00 registration fee in the 2011 Palau National Chess
Championship, the $20.00 registration fee for 2011 Rapid Chess tournament and
the recently concluded 2012 Palau National Chess Championship of another $10.00.
During the meeting on Dec. 9, 2012, he promised to pay for 2011 and 2012 PNCC
but until now, it’s still a promise.
Anyway, the cross-table was submitted already by Jamie Kenmure with the final
standings: 1. Tito Cabunagan 2. Roberto Hernandez 3. Jose Celiz 4. Cyril Tomas
Montel, Jr. 5. CM Bernardo Garcia 6. Menandro Manuel 7. Paquito Suringa, Jr. 8.
Gonzalo Escapatoria.
Garcia is still unsatisfied with the final standings. That half point really affected
this event. In his opinion, if Tito and the rest had played a playoff and Tito
still emerges as champion, then he really deserves it. With many irregularities
that clouded this PNCC, the final standing is still in doubt.
There is a good point to Garcia’s suggestion of a playoff. We agreed in the
meeting on Dec. 9 that we will proceed and finish the tournament according to
its original format, but Garcia’s line of “Why you will continue to cross the
wrong path when you are warned that it’s the wrong way?”
THE RIGHT WAY HAS BEEN FOUND. WILL YOU CONTINUE IN GOING THE WRONG WAY?
But Bernard’s suggestion of a playoff is not proper regardless of the
situation. YOU DON’T CHANGE HORSES AT MIDDLE OF STREAM! If that is to be
effected, then we need to cancel all results and start all over again. Had that
taken place, even Menandro who had 7 losses would have a chance of winning the
championship – and, I believe, if given that new lease of life, he will try
with all his might to be the victor.
With only 8 players in Class A, there’s no logic of trimming it down to half
and then have a semi-final and final match. If that is so, we better just draw
numbers and start with quarterfinal matches. A double round-robin is already a
credible format.
WE WILL ENSURE THAT THOSE UNFORTUNATE INCIDENTS LAST YEAR WILL NOT BE REPEATED.
I hope these incidents will make Palau chess players better and stronger to the
next challenges ahead. I also hope that this will also lead us to a closer
camaraderie and to enjoy the game of chess the right way!
GOOD DAY TO EVERYBODY AND PLEASE ATTEND OUR ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING ON FEB. 10,
2013 AT WAVES RESTAURANT OF PALAU ROYAL RESORT FROM 2-5 PM.
PRIZES AND CERTIFICATES OF PARTICIPATION WILL BE GIVEN.
PLEASE BRING YOUR LAPTOP BECAUSE MENANDRO MANUEL AND JAMIE KENMURE WILL
“ATTEND” THROUGH SKYPE OR FACEBOOK.
Best
regards,
Roberto
Source: History of Chess In Palau
2012 Palau National Chess Championship
October 13- December 16, 2012
Conference Room
Palau
Royal Resort
Koror City, Republic of Palau 96940
On Monday, May 19, 2014 10:34 AM,
Jose Celiz <jose@ppuc.com> wrote:
Hello Robert,
Normally when it comes to
money our brain think too fast, but anyway, I would like to break my silence
that for your information I have a receipt that I pay my 2011 and 2012 PNCC
registration. I didn’t remember that I join rapid in 2011. I remember last year
2013 that I join rapid in April but I’m not able to finished due to my long
vacation in Philippines . Blitz in June and PNCC in September all in the same
year 2013 and got the champion for Blitz and PNCC. I think you remember I pay $
20.00 for rapid and PNCC 2013 registration, after the 2013 PNCC tournament in
Bethlehem that was December 2013 and you didn’t issued me receipt because
you’re busy in organizing the small tournament for 6 of us ( Robert, Cyril,
Mahor, Eugene, Jeff , and me with 10 $ registration each ). Cyril and I, got a
champion and divide the $ 60 for $ 30 each and I give my $ 10 contribution for
pizza for the group ( stingy ? ).
And also I would like to
remind you for the promised to award the 2013 PNCC Champion and the runner up
for the Cash and Trophy for each category ( 3 category ). You promised to award
cash and then you changed it to a trophy. Where’s the trophy ?
Thank you
Best Regards,
Jose
May 23
Hi Jose,
The
Cause of 2012 PNCC Controversy was written in December 2012, not recently. You
paid your registration fee for 2011 and 2012 only in Feb. 2013.
You don't remember that you joined the Rapid tournament at Palau Royal Resort?
Why you and Tito come to
PRR to play Manik at 11:00 on a Sunday agreed match? Both of you came very late
at 1:30 twice (2 consecutive Sundays) when Manik is ready to come back for work
in Airai.
You lost 2 games to me ....
(215a)
Hernandez, Roberto (1883) - Celiz, Jose [C21]
2011 Rapid Chess
Tournament (1), 27.03.2011
1. e4 e5 2.d4 exd4 3.c3 d3 4.Qxd3 Nc6 5.Nf3 h6
6.Be2 d6 7.0–0 Bg4 8.b4 Nf6 9.Nbd2 Be7 10.b5 Na5 11.Nb3 c5 12.bxc6 Nxc6 13.Qb5
Qc7 14.Na5 0–0 15.Nxc6 bxc6 16.Qd3 Rab8 17.Ba3 c5 18.Rab1 Qa5 19.c4 Rb6 20.h3
Bh5 21.g4 Bg6 22.Nd2 Rfb8 23.f4 Rxb1 24.Rxb1 Rxb1+ 25.Nxb1 Bxe4 26.Qc3 Qb6
27.Nd2 Qb7 28.Bb2 Bh1 29.Nf3 Bxf3 30.Bxf3 Ne4 31.Qxg7#
1–0
(215b)
Celiz, Jose - Hernandez, Roberto (1833) [B08]
2011 Rapid Chess
Tournament (2), 10.04.2011
1. d4 d6 2.e4 g6 3.Bc4 Bg7 4.h3 Nf6 5.Nc3 0–0
6.Nf3 a6 7.0–0 b5 8.Bb3 Bb7 9.Re1 c5 10.a3 c4 11.Ba2 Nbd7 12.Bg5 h6 13.Bf4 Nh5
14.Bh2 Qb6 15.b3 Rac8 16.Rb1 Qa5 17.Qd2 Qxa3 18.bxc4 b4 19.Qd3 bxc3 20.Rxb7
Qxa2 21.Rxd7 Rb8 22.Bxd6 Rb1 23.Rxb1 Qxb1+ 24.Kh2 exd6 25.e5 Nf4 26.Qf5
0–1
That tournament is for outsiders of PRR. We have separate rapid tournament for
PRR employees only.
The
outsiders tourney was not finished and I finished the results with the players
who played most games and scored the most wins shall receive the Gift
Certificate of Dinner/Lunch for 1 at PRR courtesy of its GM Isao Takahashi.
Menandro Manuel and I finished 1st and 2nd respectively. We decided to sell the
certificate for $10.00 each and donated it to our fund (2012 Palau Chess Team
to Istanbul Olympiad).
The
one you are saying "small tournament" is Blitz tourney after our
Christmas party at Bethlehem Park. Jun Mahor is not a participant there.
It was Dennis because when I come back after dropping my wife at Dragon Tei, he
is ready to leave so I won 2 games over him by default.
I'm very
sure that the registration fee is only $5.00. THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A BLITZ
TOURNEY IN PALAU SINCE 2003 THAT THE REGISTRATION FEE IS MORE THAN $5.00.
So it's
just $30.00 cash prize that was divided between you and Cyril.
And about the trophy,
Cyril suggested that the trophy be locally made as shown in the attached
photo.
James dela
Cruz was the one who made those trophies. I paid him $50.00 to make those. This
time I contracted him to make 14 trophies for 2013 Rapid, Blitz and PNCC for
$60.00. I gave him already the money in November 2013.
I mentioned
to you that there might be little cash prize for blitz champion and 1st
runner-up but with $5.00 registration fee where more than half didn't pay, (including you), it's
better to have trophies.
The shape
of the trophies are (--Rapid Champion (Robert) -King-shaped; 2nd (Tito) Queen;
3rd- Cyril (rook); 4th -Pax --(Bishop)
Blitz
Champion - You (King), 2nd - me (Queen)
PNCC
Champion - You again (King); Bernard-2nd (Queen); Cyril -3rd (Rook)
PNCC
(Reserves) --champion Jun Mahor (King); Remrel (Queen); Alfredo (Rook)
Women -
champion -- Angie (Queen, of course)
Junior
Champion - Ksau (King)
Before James go for vacation in December 2013, he gave me the base for the
trophies -- all mahogany (expensive wood). It's now in my locker together with
the varnish. The molding machine that he is using to make those trophies is out
of order so I gave him this list and will make those chess pieces for trophies
in Philippines.
When
he comes back, that's the time that we will get our trophies.
Best regards to all.
Roberto
http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2014/06/wheres-trophy.html
BLITZ CHESS CHAMPIONS
Cyril
Tomas Montel, Jr., left, and Jose Celiz, 3rd from left, won the Blitz
Chess competition held during the Christmas Party of members of Palau
Chess Federation with 6.5 points each. They split the $30.00 cash prize.
Roberto Hernandez, right, had 6 points followed by Eugene Labarda, 2nd
from left, Jeff Balbalosa, 2nd from right, and Dennis Gonzales, who left
earlier. At the back is Destiny Sisior and her 5-year-old sister
Kyarii, Baby Edna 'Bheng' Mission and Angie Parrado. (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)
PALAU CHESS FEDERATION
CHRISTMAS PARTY - DEC. 22, 2013
AT BETHLEHEM PARK
THE
idea of a Christmas Party for all members of Palau Chess Federation was
initiated by Eugene Labarda, finalized by Jeff Balbalosa and
added/optional venue was suggested by Nilo de Jesus.
Roberto started sending text messages to the players and ask them to bring at least one dish each for everybody to share.
The
party will start at 3pm. Cyril text about Nilo willing to host the
party in his shop at Meyuns if some guys would like to drink alcohol
because it is not allowed at Bethlehem Park being a public place.
Two
days before the party, Roberto was able to talk to Nilo about his offer
to host the party. It will be decided at Bethlehem Park if they like to
transfer. Roberto will bring the one bottle of shochu (Japanese wine)
that was given to him by Mr. Namoto.
Dennis Gonzales will bring assorted sodas while Roberto will ask his wife Flor to make gelatin.
At
3:30pm, PCF players come with one dish each. Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr.
brought spring rolls, Angie Parrado and her 3 daughters --2 boxes of
dough nuts and peanuts, Baby Edna Mission - chicken; Eugene Labarda
--chicken also; (Nothing from Jose).
Roberto
lead a short thanksgiving prayer and while eating, some players played
blitz chess without clock. Flor have to go after eating and Roberto
dropped her at Surangel's Super Center.
When
he comes back, the blitz chess competition was held with 6 players
participating --1. Roberto Hernandez 2. Eugene Labarda 3. Dennis
Gonzales 4. Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. 5. Jose Celiz and 6. Jeff Balbalosa.
Angie,
Baby Edna and Jon "Sib" Manuel Reyes refused to join the double
round-robin event with $5.00 registration to go to the winner-take-all
champ.
Nilo
de Jesus came and the plan to continue the party in his shop was
cancelled. He refused also to join the blitz competition citing he has a
friend waiting for him.
In
Roberto vs. Jeff, their game is a win each (1-1); Eugene and Jose - (.5
- 1.5); Dennis vs. Cyril (.5-1.5); Roberto vs. Eugene is also a split
as well as Eugene vs. Dennis; before dropping his wife at Dragon Tei
staff house, Roberto split also his game with Cyril.
When
he comes back to finish his 4 remaining games (2 vs. Jose and 2 vs.
Dennis), it's already dark but the light bulb was turned on together
with the Christmas lights decor.
Roberto
won his first game with the black pieces against Jose but lost the 2nd
one. Dennis has to go with his wife and his 4 remaining games against
Roberto and Jeff were all declared losses for him.
After
counting the points of the players according to their drawn numbers,
Roberto accumulated 6 points, Eugene - 4, Dennis -2.5, Cyril -6.5, Jose -
6.5 and Jeff -4.5.
Thus, Cyril and Jose split the $30.00 prize pot. Roberto has to rush back to Palau Royal Resort as he has to work at 7-11pm.
It
is also that during this party that Dennis asked Roberto to teach his
5-year-old daughter keyboard on his free day -- Thursday, Friday and
Saturday afternoon. They agreed on Saturday 4:30-5:30pm.
Source: Chess And Music (Perfect Combination)
The Beginning of Chess In Palau
By Roberto Hernandez
Soon to be published as a book
