: DENNIS—UNDEFEATED SINCE FOLLOWING MY ADVICE
Dennis Gonzales, middle, took my advice of taking a break in between games and since then, he is undefeated in his last 5 games scoring victories over Manuel ‘Jun’ Mahor, Jr., Baby Edna Mission, Paquito Suringa, Jr., Tito Cabunagan and a draw with Gonzalo Escapatoria, Jr. lately. He stayed humble when I praise his recent games, which is a sign of maturity. I hope we’d made it to 2018 Batumi, Georgia World Chess Olympiad. (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)
DENNIS LEADS
TOP 12 DIVISION
The longest game so far of 2017 Palau National Chess Championship was between Dennis Gonzales vs. Gonzalo Escapatoria, Jr. held at Palau Royal Resort Dormitory 1 on Thu. Oct. 19 that ended in a draw after more than 4 hours of quality chess. They started their 3rd round game at 6:15pm. Dennis is not available on Sunday, Oct. 22 so he took advantage of this special game to take place in other day so that he could spend the Sunday afternoon with his family. I took a shower and had dinner and leave them at 6:55 because I have to work from 7-11pm.
When I check on them at 9pm, the position is equal with each having a king, a queen, 2 rooks and 5 pawns. They tried very hard but no breakthrough and finished the game in an 79-move marathon draw till past 10pm. CONGRATS TO BOTH FOR UPLIFTING THE QUALITY OF CHESS IN PALAU!
Other results of 2nd round games of the Top 12 Division: 3rd seed Jeff Balbalosa made short work of Leif Toribiong for his first victory after our drawn game in the 1st round; Escapatoria sacrificed a rook to force Bobot Tan’s resignation and Dennis outwitted Tito Cabunagan, who is going for vacation on Oct. 20 till Nov. His opponent, top seed Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr., is not available also as he has a game of basketball at the same time of their match. Dennis is supposed to play Angelo Salvadora in the 2nd round. Cyril requested Bobot to play their 3rd rd. game at PRR on Friday, too but Bobot is available only on Sundays. Cyril has a championship game of basketball this Sunday.
The 3 matches are as follows: Jeff vs. Rustum; Paquito Suringa, Jr. vs. Leif; me vs. Angelo. In the Junior Division, it’s Destiny Sisior vs. Aome Angeles; Angelil Sisior vs. Gian Paloma; Kyarii Sisior vs. Michael Gulla; him vs. Rommel Gulla and Reece Reklai will have a BYE.
Only 5 games are still not being played in the Women’s Division—Angelica Parrado vs. Baby Edna Mission (Oct. 15); Jennifer Angeles vs. Angelica Magno (Oct. 22); Mission vs. Joan Gemota (Oct. 29); Jennifer vs. Mission (Nov. 5) and Angelica vs. Parrado (Nov. 5)
The Reserves Division has added Joel Gemota to make it a 3-player division with Wilson Barrameda and Neph Macasaet giving Gemota his 2 consecutive losses.
In the last issue of Chess Mate, the last word by Wesley So is AMDG. It was explained to me by the most knowledgeable person I ever knew—CM Joselito Marcos as:
“Ad maiorem Dei gloriam or ad majorem Dei gloriam,[note 1] also rendered as the abbreviation AMDG, is the Latin motto of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), a religious order of the Catholic Church. It means "For the greater glory of God."
“Wesley reached the semifinal vs. Ding Liren but he lost in the tiebreak. Aronian beat MVL in the Armageddon (5 vs. 4 white to win), and beat Ding in the tiebreak after 4 drawn games. He won both rapid games to top the World Cup. Both Aronian and Ding qualifies to the Candidates in Berlin 2018.
Very nice gift to Aronian who finally will marry longtime fiance Arianne Caoili on Saturday.
In the Isle of Man Open, random pairings were in applied in the first round. Kramnik got Caruana-two of 3 contesting 2 Candidates slots by average rating (the 3rd is So). Fabiano did himself and Wesley a favor by beating Kramnik!
After a win in the 2nd round, Kramnik suffered an upset loss vs. 65-year-old US GM James Tarjan to drop down behind So. Then he was held to a draw by IM Lawrence Trent in round 5. Poor Kramnik has lost 25.1 pts. so far and now down to 2777.9 from 2803 in the September 2017 rating list and 9th place behind Anand. So moved to 6th behind Carlsen, Aronian, Caruana, MVL and Mamedyarov.
Likely qualifiers to Candidates after Karjakin, Aronian and Ding Liren are Caruana and Wesley (by rating), Mamedyarov and MVL (from FIDE Grand Prix) and a wildcard (maybe a German). Grischuk is out from GP because he already played required 3 events yet behind from Shak and MVL. Ding's qualification via the World Cup is welcome to MVL. The German organizer may also choose Kramnik as wildcard being Mr. Dortmund himself having won it 10 times! (If I am not mistaken).
How I wish Anand and Kramnik qualify to the Candidates but their only chance, and it’s either one of them but not both, is as a wildcard.
Solution to last week’s puzzle No. 3843: 1. Rh5+! gxh5 2. Qf5+ Kh4 3. Qxh5#
This week’s puzzle No. 3844: 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 84
October 23, 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 --October 23, 2017
The History of Chess in Palau
By Roberto Hernandez
June 09, 2002 -- October 23, 2017
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