This was the first tournament that Morton Sawaichi, left, has participated, the 2004 Open Chess Tournament sponsored by Filco Thrift Mart in Malakal operated by Nestor Canaria, the father of Den Canaria, 3rd from left, who is also a first time participant as well as Joel Azana, right.
(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)
The banner "2004 OPEN CHESS TOURNAMENT EVERY SUNDAY @ FILCO THRIFT MART 1:00-5:00 PM --START OCT. 11" was made by me during me and my wife Flor vacation in Philippines. I bought a small red and dark blue paint and used an old Bud Light banner. When I put it at Filco Thrift Mart, I let it stay there for a week till the next round. The "TOURNAMENT" letters were deteriorating because of heat so I used a whole part of a blue duct tape to make it looked like a machine-printed letters. Morton, right, is playing vs. Joel while Eddie Grefiel, the eventual champion, is playing the 2004 Non-Master champ Jess Toldoya, with the host/trophies sponsor of that tilt Lin de Guzman, 2nd from left, watching their game.
(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)
Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr., middle, shakes hand with Mariano Agustin, Jr. before their game with Morton waiting for his opponent. Cyril struggled in this tourney but made it to the Class A division.
(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)
Bong Alipoon, right, lives just right across the venue, showing sporting gesture before the start of his game vs. Roberto Hernandez. Later that year, the place hosted the next tournament with Bong staying some late nights with players to practice and socialize.
The 2004 Rapid Chess Tournament is the best start ever by Morton, winning his first 2 games.
Morton vs. Ivan II Chess Computer.
Gene Pastrana vs. Morton Sawaichi. Gene lives also just across the road and hosted the 2005-2006 Rapid chess tilt.
Morton vs. 62-year-old Mariano Agustin, Jr. while eventual champion Eddie Grefiel looks on. When we play our game, Eddie writes the moves also saying, "It's unfair if you are the only writing the moves so I'll write our moves, too." A very good sporting gesture from a real gentleman. Many players took advantage of my "do all things" to extract a full point from me as I am not focus entirely to my games by being the chief arbiter, setting of all equipment, writing chess notations when the tournament time control is at least 30 minutes, getting the results of all games, deciding quickly when there are complaints, taking photos for future references, etc.
(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)
2005 Regular Chess tournament at Image Restaurant and Sports Bar which was later moved to Privilege Store in Malakal as the new venue which is good for Morton, who is playing against Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. here as next to the store is the bar where Morton works as bouncer.
First timer Ronald Maomay vs. the talking and taunting Ivan II chess computer while Morton is in deep thought against Gene Pastrana. The poster "Knights and Rooks Chess Club" has the names of all the players embedded since June 09, 2002,
Players practice blitz chess while waiting for the awarding of trophies/cash prizes of the just concluded 2004
Morton vs. youngster Em-R de Vera in the late afternoon match.
Morton vs. compatriot Tutii Joe Chilton in a game that won Morton $50.00 as Brilliancy game wherein he donated $20.00 for Palau Chess Federation to be able to pay its yearly membership fee to FIDE of 600 Swiss francs (or $480.00).
Morton with 2nd venue host Artemio Navarette.
Morton receiving his certificate of participation from me during the 2006 Palau National Chess Championship where Manny Nedic and Menandro Manuel became Palau's first and 2nd National Master (NM).
Morton vs. Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. while Jess Toldoya is watching. The games were played at the parking lot of Jean's Boutique and Store operated by Gene Pastrana, which later become the venue host of succeeding Palau tournaments.
Morton receiving another certificate from me.
Morton receiving the $50.00 Brilliancy game from Roswell Macapagal, co-owner of the sponsor of trophies and cash T-Shirt Printing Atbp.
Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
December 29, 2002 -- March 18, 2018
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 -- March 18, 2018
The History of Chess in Palau
By Roberto Hernandez
June 09, 2002 -- March 18, 2018
