(1411) JENNIFER ANGELES TO FORM PALAU'S FIRST SCHOOL CHESS CLUB

COUNTERPART?

                  When I started chess in Palau in June 09, 2002, just a few supporters helped in teaching chess especially in schools. With the introduction of Chess in School program by FIDE in Palau by its CEO Geoffrey Borg, Toti Abundo and Jamie Kenmure, chess boom in Palau is expected. Many more teachers/trainers are needed like Jennifer Angeles, right, to popularize chess in Palau and to the world.                                            (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

JENNIFER ANGELES TO FORM PALAU'S

      FIRST SCHOOL CHESS CLUB

   

During my first and longer conversation with newcomer Jennifer Angeles, I have felt her sincere desire to push the Chess in School program of the World Chess Federation (FIDE). As a teacher herself, I have never met in Palau a woman chess player/teacher with a vision.

                After teaching my Taiwanese girl guitar/piano student on Friday, Aug. 18, 2017 from 2:00-3:00pm, I did a little shopping at WCTC and met her again with her son Aome (short for Apple Of My Eye) while buying oranges. Her enthusiasm to form a chess club in her school touched my heart and I offered to give lectures to the members that include 2013 Palau Junior Champion Ksau Anthony Whipps and 2015 Palau Junior Champion as well Angelil Sisior.

                This chess club will be affiliated with Palau Chess Federation so that chess materials and clocks that were donated to Palau from Asian Chess Federation through Oceania Chess Confederation President Paul Spiller, will be used and it might set an example to other schools to form chess clubs, too.

                Jennifer is one of the 4 exam takers that passed the exam in the 2017 Arbiters’ Seminar conducted by Palau Rating Officer IA Jamie Kenmure in May 14-19, 2017. I topped that Seminar with Angie Parrado, 2^nd and Tito Cabunagan, 3^rd. We’ve got norm for it and it’s another way to represent Palau in future World Chess Olympiads even though not included in Palau Team if we become FIDE Arbiters.

                Jennifer will try her mettle to be included in the Palau Women’s Team to the 2018 World Chess Olympiad in Batumi, Georgia. WNM Baby Edna “Bheng” Mission already qualified to the 2018 WCO by topping the women’s division of 2016 Palau National Chess Championship. Stiff competition is expected in this year’s PNCC (Women’s Division) from Angie, Joan Gemota, Joy Flores Whipps, Roxanne Parco, Angelil Sisior, Gladys Paloma and even from newcomer and improved Angelica Magno.

                Meanwhile, the qualifying tourney for the Top 12 Division will commence on Sept. 03 with PRCC champion Bobot Tan leading the qualifiers that include Dennis Gonzales, Gonzalo Escapatoria, Jr., Manuel Mahor, Jr., Wilson Barrameda, Glen Navarroza, Eugene Labarda, Nilo de Jesus, Sofronio ‘Pons’ Mahor, Angelo Salvadora, Rafael Paloma, etc. It’s a 7-round Swiss or round-robin depending on entrees.

                The Top 8 are 1. Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. 2. Allan Alcid 3. Roberto Hernandez 4. Jeffrey Balbalosa 5. Tito Cabunagan 6. Paquito Suringa, Jr. 7. Rustum Cabuso and 8. (Palauan qualifier).

                We need confirmation from Allan Alcid if he will be participating in the Top 12 Division. If he’s not available, then Dennis will be No. 7. I will arrange matches for Allan if he makes it in a short 1 or 2 weeks stay. GOOD LUCK TO ALL PLAYERS! IT’S TIME TO PREPARE FOR THIS EVENT.

                                     “SPIRITUALLY, PHYSICALLY, MUSICALLY AND CHESSIALLY”

Friday, the 18^th of August is my best day spiritually, physically, musically and “chessially” as I started the day with 5:00am Morning Devotion at Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ (4^th Watch) Palau Locale with Bro. Gilbert Navarro giving the message about corporate prayer. That it’s very important when doing the corporate praying that the brethren will say “Amen/Praise the Lord or Glory to God” in agreeing with the one leading the prayer or rebuke when disagreeing with the prayer.

I proceed to the Palau Track and Field Oval and do 30-minute jogging/walking/pushups in 6 laps. During my first lap, former President Johnson Toribiong greeted me. He’s a regular jogger at the oval. At 3pm, I teach again Samantha Tsao guitar. I haven’t taught her in 2 months because of school break.

Before going back to Palau Royal Resort, I did a little shopping of fruits where I saw Jennifer and her son. While looking for papaya, another regular jogger at oval, Rebecca, ask me to set a date to teach her kid chess after school, most probably in between 4-6pm. And finally, in playing keyboard music at Breeze Bar of PRR, a group of 14 Americans (ladies and guys) enjoyed my music and I have played almost all of their requests –John Denver, Air Supply, James Taylor, Barry Manilow, Doors, Elvis Presley, Billy Joel, Patsy Cline, Beach Boys, etc. An old lady near me gave me $5.00 tip while the group gave me 2 shots of Bailey with cream.

Solution to last week’s puzzle No. 4425: 1. …Qxd5+! 2. Qe4 Qxe4+ 3. K11 Qg2#

This week’s puzzle No. 3762: White to move and mates in 3 (Solution next issue)

Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez

                 Tia Belau Newspaper

                 Pages 9-10

                 Volume 26

                 Issue 66

                 August 21, 2017

                Chess and Music (Perfect Combination)

                The Beginning of Chess in Palau

                By Roberto Hernandez

                Soon to be published as a book

               Music and Me by Roberto Hernandez

                Tia Belau Newspaper

                March 15, 2012 -- April 18, 2013

                http://palau-chess.blogspot.com

                April 25, 2013 -- August 21, 2017

               The History of Chess in Palau

               By Roberto Hernandez

               December 29, 2002 -- August 21, 2017