(1219) THE 'DARK AGE' OF CHESS MATE (TBN-Aug. 15, 2011)

The new logo has been published without the author’s photo starting on Jan. 05-11, 2007. The 2 puzzles were gone and even the title of issues have been shortened. In June 22-28, 2007, the puzzle is back but only one now. 

   THE 'DARK AGE' OF CHESS MATE

STARTING with the 179^th Chess Mate issue in May 26-June 02, 2006, the chess column of Roberto Hernandez took a back seat when the succeeding issues were reduced in terms of pages and chess puzzles. There’s still a photo of the author in the logo.

                 Hernandez contributed an article at Island Times Newspaper on their Sept. 28-Oct. 04, 2006 issue that has a photo of Edwin Eti, who donated $100.00 for the champion of Rapid Chess Tournament to be held this September 2006.

                The new logo has been published without the author’s photo starting on Jan. 05-11, 2007. The 2 puzzles were gone and even the title of issues have been shortened. In June 22-28, 2007, the puzzle is back but only one now.

                In the 236^th issue on June 29-July 05, 2007, photo of Roberto is now back with a newly design logo. This is maybe largely due to the fact that Roberto will be holding the Palau Royal Resort Rating Chess Tournament among PRR employees with its Food and Beverage Manager Allan Tuppil sponsoring the $100.00 for the top 3 finishers, a trophy for the champion and 3 medals for 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th finishers.

                Four issues later (240^th), Jaime Guevarra’s picture was published with a caption “Jaime Guevarra –Perfect 3-0 Start”. Some issues have even 2 photos on it –“Nino Flores –Tough Nut to Crack”; “Zaldy Ranopa—Will donate his cash prize to KRCC” (Issue 243) and in Issue 247, the father and son Allan Diez and Boris Michael Diez were featured with a title “Father and Son Lead Ambassador Marino Cup Chess Tilt”.

                No photos in the 255^th and 256th issues because during the Awarding Ceremony of the PRR Rating Chess Tournament, the camera that was used is not Roberto’s. After a photo of Koror State Legal Counsel Craig Dittrich in the 257^th issue, the photos in the column are occasional till the start of 2008 PRR Rapid Chess Tourney and the 2008 Palau National Chess Championship.

Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez

              Tia Belau Newspaper

              Pages 9-10

             Volume 21

             Issue 33

            August 15, 2011

               

(1206) CHESS MATE ISSUES No. 151-200 and their LINKS

                            CHESS MATE ISSUES
                                   No. 151-200
                                and their LINKS 

        151. CM151     A Little League Of Their Own                                                  Nov. 11-18, 2005

  http://palau-chess.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/a-little-league-of-their-own-tbn-nov-11.html

        152. CM152     Unbeaten No More                                                                    Nov. 18-25, 2005

  http://palau-chess.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/unbeaten-no-more-tbn-nov-18-25-2005.html

153. CM153     Sno Sweeps Ivan II; Manuel Suffers First Loss                 Nov. 25-Dec. 02, 2005

  http://palau-chess.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/sno-sweeps-ivan-ii-tbn-nov-25-dec-02.html

154. CM154     More Chessboards and Clocks                                       Dec. 02-09, 2005

  http://palau-chess.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/more-chessboards-and-clocks-tbn-dec-2-9.html

155. CM155     Escape with A Draw                                                                   Dec. 09-16, 2005

  http://palau-chess.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/escape-with-draw-tbn-dec-09-16-2005.html

        156. CM156     KRCC Christmas Party Dec. 18                                 Dec. 16-23, 2005

  http://palau-chess.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/krcc-christmas-party-dec-18-tbn-dec-16.html

        157. CM157    Hernandez is 2005 Christmas Blitz Chess Fest Champ    Dec. 23-30, 2005

  http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2015/10/1098-hernandez-is-2005-christmas-blitz.html

158. CM158     Chess Mate Marks 3rd Year                                      Dec. 30, 2005-Jan. 06, 2006

  http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2015/02/chess-mate-marks-3rd-year-tbn-dec-30.html

159. CM159     Looking Forward to 2006 World Chess Olympiad            Jan. 06-13, 2006

         http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2015/10/tbn-1108-looking-forward-to-2006-world.html

160. CM160    2005-2006 Rapid Chess’ Hectic 19^th & 20^th Rd. –175 games   Jan. 13-20, 2006

         http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2015/11/1113-2005-2006-rapid-chess-hectic-19th.html

161. CM161     Pastrana Offered to Host 2006 PNCC (Rd. 21, 22)           Jan. 20-27, 2006

         http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2015/11/1116-pastrana-offered-to-host-2006-pncc.html

162. CM162     94 Games Decided in Rd. 23, 24-‘05-’06 Rapid Tilt          Jan. 27-Feb. 03, 2006

         http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2015/11/1124-94-games-decided-in-round-23-24-of.html

163. CM163    Nedic -Blitz Chess Champ of the Week;                              Feb. 03-10, 2006

                          Round 25, 26 of 2005-2006 Rapid Chess Tilt

         http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2015/12/1136-nedic-blitz-chess-champ-of-week-rd.html

164. CM164     Penultimate round of 2005-2006 Rapid Chess                 Feb. 10-17, 2006

http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2015/12/1139-penultimate-round-of-2005-2006.html

165. CM165     Final Round -2005-2006 Rapid Chess Tilt                             Feb. 17-24, 2006

http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2015/12/1141-final-round-of-2005-2006-rapid.html

166. CM166     Hernandez, Eti Share Blitz Chess Title                                 Feb. 24-March 03, 2006

 http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2015/12/1143-hernandez-eti-share-blitz-chess.html

                       

167. CM167     Pastrana’s 1^st And Only Blitz Title                                          March 03-10, 2006

http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2016/01/1155-pastranas-1st-and-only-blitz-title.html

168. CM168     National Rating of Possible 2006 PNCC Participants       March 10-17, 2006

http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2015/12/1145-national-rating-of-possible-2006.html

169. CM169     2006 PNCC to start March 19                                                   March 17-24, 2006

http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2016/03/1168-2006-pncc-to-start-march-19-tbn.html

170. CM170     Jess, Jose, Cyril, Edwin, Boy win on Opening Day           March 24-31, 2006

 http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2016/03/1170-jess-jose-edwin-cyril-boy-win-on.html

171. CM171     Eti Scores 2 wins, Morton Stuns Pastrana                          March 31-April 07, 2006

http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2016/04/1201-eti-scores-2-wins-morton-stuns.html

172. CM172     Montel, Jr., Eti Surging; PCF Non-Profit                              April 07-14, 2006

http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2016/04/1203-montel-jr-eti-surging-palau-chess.html

173. CM173     Manuel, Montel, Jr., Eti Still Unbeaten                               April 14-21, 2006

  http://palau-chess.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/manuel-montel-jr-eti-still-unbeaten-tbn.html

        174. CM174     Eti Upset Top Seed                                                          April 21-28, 2006

  http://palau-chess.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/eti-upset-top-seed-tbn-april-21-28-2006.html

        175. CM175     Who Will Stop Eti?                                                            April 28-May 05, 2006

  http://palau-chess.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/who-will-stop-eti-tbn-april-28-may-05.html

        176. CM176     Valenzuela Stops Eti                                                            May 05-12, 2006

  http://palau-chess.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/valenzuela-stops-eti-tbn-may-05-12-2006.html

        177. CM177     Palau Welcomes Campomanes                                             May 12-19, 2006

        http://palau-chess.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/palau-welcomes-campomanes-tbn-may-12-19.html

        178. CM178     Campomanes Completes Mission                                        May 19-26, 2006

        http://palau-chess.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/campomanes-completes-mission-tbn-may-19.html

        179. CM179     Cyril’s First Loss, Second Blitz Title                                        May 26-June 02, 2006

  http://palau-chess.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/cyrils-1st-loss-2nd-blitz-title-tbn-may.html

        180. CM180     Manuel Seizes Lead                                                                    June 02-09, 2006

  http://palau-chess.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/manuel-seizes-lead-tbn-june-02-09-2006.html

        181. CM181     Five-Player Affair                                                                June 09-16, 2006

  http://palau-chess.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/five-player-affair-tbn-june-09-16-2006.html

        182. CM182     Nedic Sweeps Manuel, Grabs Lead                                     June 16-23, 2006

  http://palau-chess.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/nedic-sweeps-manuel-grabs-lead-tbn-june.html

        183. CM183     The Ambassador Cup Rapid Chess Tilt Starts June 25          June 23-30, 2006

  http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2012/03/2006-ambassador-marino-cup-rapid-chess.html

       184. CM184     Ambassador Cup’s Top Seeds Prevail                                  June 30-July 07, 2006

  http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2015/10/1099-ambassador-cups-top-seeds-prevails.html

185. CM185     Omega, Hernandez, Vidal & Soriano Lead Amb. Cup           July 07-14, 2006

  http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2012/03/2006-ambassador-marino-cup-rapid-chess.html

186. CM186     Omega, Vergara, Pastrana & F. Hernandez – Champs            July 14-21, 2006

  http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2012/03/2006-ambassador-marino-cup-rapid-chess.html

187. CM187     Victims of Chess Politics                                                            July 21-28, 2006

  http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2013/04/victims-of-chess-politics-tbn-july-21.html

        188. CM188     Nedic Seizes Lead                                                            July 28-Aug. 04, 2006

  http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2013/04/nedic-seizes-lead-tbn-july-28-aug-04.html

        189. CM189     Good Luck Dennis                                                              Aug. 04-11, 2006

  http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2013/03/good-luck-dennis-tbn-aug-04-11-2006.html

        190. CM190     $100 Donation from Eti                                                           Aug. 11-18, 2006

  http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2013/04/10000-donation-from-eti-tbn-aug-11-18.html

        191. CM191     Palau Invitational Chess Tilt To Be Held As Scheduled           Aug. 18-25, 2006

  http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2013/04/palau-invitational-chess-tilt-to-be.html

        192. CM192     Final Day of NCC                                                        Aug. 25-Sept. 01, 2006

                           (Front Page “TR Accepts Blame for Power Crisis”)

  http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2013/04/final-day-of-ncc-tbn-aug-25-sept-01-2006.html

        193. CM193     Palau Welcomes FIDE Rated Players                                    Sept. 01-08, 2006

  http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2013/04/palau-welcomes-fide-rated-players-tbn.html

        194. CM194     NZ Bennett is PICC Champion                                                Sept. 08-15, 2006

  http://palau-chess.blogspot.com.au/2015/09/1079-nz-bennett-is-picc-champion-tbn.html

195. CM195     Rapid Chess Tilt to Start Oct. 01                                             Sept. 15-22, 2006

                http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2013/04/rapid-chess-tilt-to-start-oct-1-tbn.html

196. CM196     Highlights of P. I. C. C.                                                                Sept. 22-29, 2006

         http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2013/04/highlights-of-picc-tbn-sept-22-29-2006.html

197. CM197     All Set for Rapid Chess Tilt Oct. 1                                           Sept. 29-Oct. 06, 2006

                http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2013/04/all-set-for-rapid-chess-tilt-oct-1-tbn.html

198. CM198     Manuel, Eti Lead Rapid Chess                                                 Oct. 06-13, 2006

  http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2013/04/manuel-eti-lead-rapid-chess-tbn-oct-06.html

        199. CM199     Manuel Loses, Keeps Lead                                                      Oct. 13-20, 2006

  http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2013/04/manuel-loses-keeps-lead-tbn-oct-13-20.html

        200. CM200     Dittrich, Andres Drew with Top Seeds                                Oct. 20-27, 2006

  http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2013/04/ditrich-andres-drew-with-top-seeds-tbn.html




Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
              Tia Belau Newspaper
              From November 11-18, 2005 
              Issue 45
              Volume 14

              To

              Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
              Tia Belau Newspaper 
              Volume 15
               Issue 42
              October 20-27, 2006 

(1203) MONTEL, JR., ETI SURGING; PALAU CHESS FEDERATION -- Non-Profit Organization -- April 11, 2006

FIRST ROUND OF 2006 PNCC -- CYRIL VS. MORTON
     3rd seed Cyril Montel, Jr., middle, ponders his next move against Palauan bet Morton Sawaichi in the 1st round of 2006 Palau National Chess Championship. Eleventh seed Jess Toldoya watches the game being held at the parking area of Jean's Boutique and Store, operated by Gene Pastrana, first time venue host.
                                       (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)


          MONTEL, JR., ETI SURGING; 
                          PALAU CHESS FEDERATION ---
    Non-Profit Organization --April 11, 2006 
  

AFTER subduing one of Palauan bets Morton Sawaichi in the 1^st round of 2006 Palau National Chess Championship, 3^rd seed Cyril Montel, Jr. surges in the standings after clobbering 6^th seed Manny Nedic in 41 moves of Ruy Lopez (Norwegian and Delayed Schiliemann Variations) to stay undefeated in the 3^rd round of play on Sunday, April 02, 2006 at Jean’s Boutique and Store. Cyril didn’t play in the 2^nd week in which only 3 games were played.

                THE MOVES: Montel, Jr., Cyril (2140) - Nedic, Manuel (2020) [C70]

2006 PNCC (3), 02.04.2006

          1. e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 b5 5.Bb3 Na5 6.c3 Nxb3 7.Qxb3 d6 8.0–0 Be6 9.Qd1 Be7 10.d4 f6 11.Nh4 Qd7 12.d5 Bg4 13.f3 Bh5 14.Nf5 Bf8 15.Ng3 Bg6 16.a4 Ne7 17.Be3 f5 18.Bf2 f4 19.Ne2 Bh5 20.axb5 Qxb5 21.Qa4 Qxa4 22.Rxa4 Nc8 23.Nd2 Be7 24.Rfa1 0–0 25.Rxa6 Rxa6 26.Rxa6 Be8 27.c4 Bg5 28.g4 fxg3 29.Nxg3 Bg6 30.Ngf1 h5 31.h3 Bh7 32.Be3 Bxe3+ 33.Nxe3 g5 34.Kg2 Kf7 35.Nf5 Rh8 36.b4 Bxf5 37.exf5 Nb6 38.Ra7 Rc8 39.Kf2 Nd7 40.Ne4 Nb6 41.Nxd6+          1–0

            But 7^th seed Edwin Eti is the solo leader after touting Roberto Hernandez in 32 moves of Danish Gambit, for a perfect 3-0 start in a double round-robin event among 12 Palau top chess players.

                THE MOVES: Hernandez, Roberto (2134) - Eti, Edwin (1941) [C21]

2006 PNCC (2), 02.04.2006

           1. e4 e5 2.d4 exd4 3.c3 dxc3 4.Bc4 d6 5.Qd5 Qe7 6.Nxc3 Nf6 7.Qb5+ c6 8.Qg5 Be6 9.Bxe6 Qxe6 10.f3 Nbd7 11.Nge2 Be7 12.0–0 0–0 13.Nf4 Qe5 14.Qg3 Kh8 15.Be3 Nh5 16.Nxh5 Qxh5 17.Bd4 Ne5 18.f4 Bh4 19.Qh3 Ng4 20.g3 c5 21.Bf2 g5 22.f5 Rg8 23.gxh4 gxh4 24.Bg3 Nf6 25.Nd5 hxg3 26.Qxh5 gxh2+ 27.Kxh2 Nxh5 28.f6 Rg6 29.Rf5 Ng3 30.Rf4 Rag8 31.Ne7 Nf1+ 32.Rfxf1 Rh6#          0–1

            Eti previously defeated Nedic and 2^nd seed Jose Omega, who drubbed venue host and 8^th seed Gene Pastrana in the first game of the day. Earlier on Saturday, April 01, 5^th seed Jimmy Valenzuela and

Omega played their game and resulted in Omega having a 1-1 day as Jimmy beat him in an unspecified number of moves and what defence they’ve used because they didn’t give to Roberto the score sheet.

                After the completion of 3 games of the 3^rd round, a blitz chess contest was held between idle top seed Menandro Manuel, Roberto, Edwin, Cyril and Gene. The double round-robin competition was won by Roberto after finishing half point ahead of Menandro and Edwin.  

BLITZ CHESS CONTEST

April 02, 2006

Double Round Robin

                    Players                                                             Win    Loss   Draw      Total

1. ROBERTO HERNANDEZ                                        5         2         1             5.5

1. 2. EDWIN ETI                                                               5         3         0              5
2. 3. MENANDRO MANUEL                                           4         2         2              5
3. 4. CYRIL MONTEL, JR.                                               3         5         0              3
4. 5. GENE PASTRANA                                                   1         6         1              1.5

            Roberto and Francis ‘Sno’ Temaungil worked together to have Palau Chess Federation being listed as a Non-Profit Organization and it bears fruit as the Government of Palau issued the license on April 11, 2006 and signed by Palau President Tommy Remengesau, Jr.

Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez

              Tia Belau Newspaper

              Pages 9-10

             Volume 15

             Issue 1

            April 07-14, 2006

(1200) ETI SCORES 2 WINS; MORTON STUNS PASTRANA (TBN-March 31-April 07, 2006)

IMPRESSIVE 2nd PLACE FINISH OF EDWIN ETI IN 2005-2006 PRCC
     Edwin Eti, left, is receiving his Certificate of Participation in the 2005-2006 Palau Rapid Chess Championship in which he finished 2nd to Menandro Manuel with 45 wins, 9 losses and 2 draws in the 29-player field of double round-robin event. He finished 7th in the 2006 PNCC, being seeded 7th.
                                        (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

              This is the Certificate of Appreciation (for Roberto) that Edwin Eti is receiving.


              ETI SCORES 2 WINS;
     MORTON STUNS PASTRANA

THERE were only 3 games that were played in the 2^nd round of 2006 Palau National Chess Championship held at Jean’s Boutique and Store on Sunday, March 26 but blitz chess specialist Edwin Eti played 2 of them. One of it is against 2^nd seed Jose Omega, which was adjourned and after the resumption, Eti prevailed.

                The 2^nd game of the day is between 9^th seed Palauan bet Morton Sawaichi and 7^th seed and venue host Gene Pastrana. On the 10^th move, Pastrana sacrificed his bishop for 2 pawns which proved to be decisive as Morton unleashed an attack to Pastrana’s pinned queen.

                On the 23^rd move, Morton is way ahead by a knight and a passed pawn on f6. After the immediate exchange of queens, Pastrana’s hope of salvaging the game lies on his 2 connected passed pawns on the queen side but Morton was able to activate his king to the center that cramped Pastrana’s king. After a clever g pawn sacrifice on the 3th move, the knight check posted it to a very strong post.

                Although Gene can capture the knight on the 41^st move, he will be mated in 8 moves thereafter. Instead, Gene moved his king to g8 and was mated 2 moves later.

                THE MOVES: Sawaichi, Morton (1913) - Pastrana, Gene (1938) [B21]

2006 PNCC (2), 26.03.2006

          1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.Qxd4 Nc6 4.Qe3 e5 5.Nf3 Nf6 6.Bd3 b6 7.a3 Bc5 8.Qg5 g6 9.0–0 d6 10.b4 Bxb4 11.axb4 Nxb4 12.Bb5+ Bd7 13.Nc3 0–0 14.Ba3 Nxc2 15.Bxd6 Re8 16.Bxe5 Re6 17.Bc4 Rxe5 18.Nxe5 Nxa1 19.Nxf7 Qe7 20.e5 Be6 21.exf6 Qxf7 22.Bxe6 Qxe6 23.Rxa1 a5 24.Qd5 Re8 25.Qxe6+ Rxe6 26.Nd5 Rd6 27.Rd1 Kf7 28.g4 g5 29.Kg2 b5 30.Kg3 b4 31.f4 h6 32.h4 a4 33.hxg5 hxg5 34.fxg5 a3 35.Kf4 b3 36.Ke5 Ra6 37.g6+ Kxg6 38.Nf4+ Kf7 39.Rd7+ Ke8 40.Re7+ Kf8 41.Ne6+ Kg8 [41...Rxe6+ 42.Kxe6 a2 43.Ra7 a1Q 44.Rxa1 Kg8 45.Ra8+ Kh7 46.Kf7 b2 47.Ra5 b1Q 48.Rh5#]

42.f7+ Kh8 43.f8Q#          1–0

            The 3^rd and last game of the day was between Dennis Gonzales and Eti, in which the latter prevailed to make it a perfect day for him. After the completion of the 3 regular games, a blitz chess competition was held among 7 players – Hernandez, Eti, Pastrana, Cyril Montel, Jr., Jimmy Valenzuela, Menandro Manuel and Manny Nedic.

            The same time control and format as usual – 10 minutes each to finish the game without increment because they are using mechanical clocks. Registration fee is $5.00 with the half going to the champion and the half to be spent on drinks.

            Manuel is in his top form as he swept the opposition like a storm and prevailed undefeated in 6 games. Nedic lost a game to Manuel but won all his remaining games to finished 2^nd with 5 points. Eti and Montel, Jr. are tied at 3-4^th place with an identical 3-3-0 win-loss-draw card. Valenzuela is 5^th with 2-4-0 slate and Roberto finished tied with Pastrana at 6-7^th in his worst blitz chess participation at 1-5-0.

Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez

             Tia Belau Newspaper

             Pages 9-10

             Volume 10

             Issue 14

             March 31--April 07, 2006

            The History of Chess in Palau 

            By Roberto Hernandez

            June 09, 2002 --March 26, 2006 

(1170) JESS, JOSE, EDWIN, CYRIL, BOY WIN ON OPENING DAY (TBN-March 24-31, 2006)

FIRST GAME OF 2006 PNCC -- TOLDOYA VS. GONZALES
     Jess Toldoya, left, nipped Dennis Gonzales in the Opening Round of the 2006 Palau National Chess Championship held at the premises (parking area) of Jean's Boutique and Store on March 19. It's the first ever National Championship in Palau with the winner to become the first National Master of Palau.
                                           (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)



JESS, JOSE, EDWIN, CYRIL, BOY 
   WIN ON OPENING DAY
    

THE OPENING DAY of the first Palau National Chess Championship produced some stunning victories by top seeds with 11^th seed Jess Toldoya whipping 10^th seed Dennis Gonzales and 2^nd seed Jose Omega subduing 4^th seed Roberto Hernandez in 34 moves of Sicilian Dragon (Yugoslav Attack).

THE MOVES: Hernandez, Roberto (2134) - Omega, Jose (2157) [B75]

2006 PNCC (1), 19.03.2006

           1. e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Be3 Bg7 7.Bc4 a6 8.f3 Nc6 9.h4 Nxd4 10.Bxd4 Qc7 11.Bb3 Be6 12.g4 Bxb3 13.axb3 e5 14.Be3 h5 15.g5 Nd7 16.Qd5 Nb6 17.Qa5 0–0 18.Bxb6 Qd7 19.0–0–0 Rac8 20.Nd5 Rc6 21.Nf6+ Bxf6 22.gxf6 Rfc8 23.Rh2 Qe6 24.Bd8 Qxb3 25.Qd2 Kh7 26.Be7 Qa2 27.c3 Rb6 28.Qd5 Qa1+ 29.Kd2 Qxb2+ 30.Ke1 Qxc3+ 31.Kf2 Kg8 32.Rd3 Rb2+ 33.Kg3 Qe1+ 34.Kh3 Qf1+       0–1

                Third seed Cyril Montel, Jr. trounced one of Palauan bets 9^th seed Morton Sawaichi with 7^th seed blitz specialist Edwin Eti clobbering 6^th seed Manny Nedic.

                Venue host and 8^th seed Gene Pastrana bowed to top seed Menandro ‘Boy’ Manuel and Sawaichi and Gonzales played their 2^nd round game with the latter prevailing in the last game of the day, March 19, 2006.

                THE MOVES: Pastrana, Eugenio (1938) - Manuel, Menandro (2139) [C45]

2006 PNCC (1), 19.03.2006

          1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Nxd4 5.Qxd4 d6 6.Bc4 Qf6 7.Qd1 Qg6 8.Qf3 Nf6 9.Nc3 a6 10.a4 Be7 11.h3 0–0 12.0–0 Nd7 13.Bf4 Ne5 14.Bxe5 dxe5 15.Rfd1 Be6 16.Bd3 c6 17.b3 Kh8 18.Kh1 Bc5 19.Ne2 f5 20.Rf1 fxe4 21.Qxe4 Qxe4 22.Bxe4 Bxf2 23.Kh2 Be3 24.Rad1 Bc5 25.Ng3 g6 26.Ne2 Kg7 27.Nc1 Rxf1 28.Rxf1 Rf8 29.Rxf8 Kxf8 30.Kg3 Ke7 31.Kf3 Bd5 32.g4 Ke6 33.Nd3 Be7 34.Nf2 b5 35.axb5 cxb5 36.Nd3 a5 37.Nc1 a4 38.bxa4 bxa4 39.Bxd5+ Kxd5 40.Ke2 e4 41.Na2 Bf6 42.Kd2 a3 43.Nb4+ Kc4 44.Na2 Bg5+ 45.Ke2 Kd4 46.Kd1 Ke3 47.c4 Kd4 48.c5 Kxc5 49.Kc2 Kd4 50.Kb3 Be7 51.Nc1 Ke3 52.Kc2 Kf2 53.Kb3 e3 54.Ka2 e2 55.Nd3+ Kf1 56.g5 e1Q 57.Nxe1 Kxe1 58.h4 h5           0–1

                After the regular games were finished, the remaining players set up a blitz chess competition among 8 players –Manuel, Montel, Jr., Hernandez, Nedic, Eti, Pastrana, Jimmy Valenzuela (who arrived late and didn’t play a single game in the opening round) and Bong Alipoon, who will skip this tourney because he’s having a vacation in Philippines. Jose Omega didn’t participate because he is working without a day off for 8 years. His employer took it literally (the word “day off”). According to him, Jose is day off every day because he works at night time (from 6pm-2am) so he is day off all day long. Jess Toldoya also skipped this blitz tourney.

                After 7 rounds of this single round-robin event, Nedic and Eti emerged victorious with an identical 5 points total with Nedic scoring 5 wins, 2 losses and no draws while Eti had 4 wins, a loss and 2 draws. Hernandez and Alipoon finished tied at 3^rd and 4^th with 4 wins and 3 losses slate.

                Valenzuela is at solo 5^th with 3-3-1 record with Montel, Jr. at solo 6^th with 3-4-0 card. At 7^th is the off form Manuel, who had 2-4-1 for 2.5 points while the 12^th place position belongs to venue host Pastrana with 0-5-2 record.

                The elected Palau Chess Federation Chairman Francis ‘Sno’ Temaungil didn’t play a single game on opening day. He will catch up next week and will try to play at least 2 games.

Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez

             Tia Belau Newspaper

             Pages 9-10

            Volume 15

           Issue 13

           March 24-31, 2006

               

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