(1640) MANIK FINISHED IN THE MIDDLE OF 2019 TOKYO MARATHON (March 03, 2019)

 MANIK FINISHED IN THE MIDDLE 
     OF 2019 TOKYO MARATHON
               (March 03, 2019)

        In 2012, Mohammad Manik Hossain was supposed to be a team member (Board 2) of Palau Chess Team to the 2012 World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey. At that time, there is no qualification or selection of players who wants to play in that Olympiad. As long as you are committed and has money to buy for airfare, you can be a member even if you are not in the top 10 in Palau's FIDE rating list.

       Everything is ready with Istanbul's invitation for Palau's Team that was composed of me at Board 1, Manik at Board 2, CM Bernardo Garcia at 3, Menandro Manuel at 4 and his wife Elizabeth at Board 5/Reserve).

       Manik asked me to write a letter to his employer to allow him to participate in 2012 WCO but he was allowed to go with just 2 weeks before the Olympiad and 4 of us got our Turkish visa already. It will be too late for him to get Turkish visa so he was left behind and we have to play all 11 games in that Olympiad because there is no reserve. Elizabeth took the spot of Manik at Board 2 and didn't win or draw in those 11 games to have an initial FIDE rating.

      One of the reasons why Manik was not allowed earlier is that he wants to have a vacation in Bangladesh for 3 months after the Olympiad. He is hoping that because he hadn't had a vacation for 6 years, his employer might allow it as being done by many Bangladesh nationals when taking a vacation for that long because they didn't take it annually or every 2 years like in my case at Palau Royal Resort.

     Since then, Manik has become wax cold in participating in any Palau local tournaments UNTIL 2 years ago in a blitz practice game that ignite his desire again to play.

     He always find some extra time to play in standard, rapid or blitz tournaments.

     Originally, there are 33 players in Eric Ksau Whipps' list of those who will come to Guam for the 2019 Oceania Zonal Chess Championship in Feb. 17-24. But in the final tally, only 12 made it. I cancelled my participation because my wife Flor wants to save the money that I will spend there for our vacation in Sept.-Oct. in Philippines. She said I have already participated in 2018 World Chess Olympiad in Batumi, Georgia so cancel the Guam OZCC.

     In Manik's case, it's like 2 birds in one stone as he will proceed to Japan for the prestigious 2019 Tokyo Marathon on March 03. He won the lottery to be allowed to participate in that event. There are 370,000 applicants for that marathon and only 37,000 were invited through lottery. Manik said there are 73,000 participants with him finishing in the middle (14,000th finisher). 

     He said there are 11,000 volunteers and they are lined-up in the streets. Some of them are giving water. He specified some have peeled oranges for them to eat while running. The guy from Kenya finished first with a time of 2:25.00, a little short of the world record.

     Manik told me that the wind and rain and cold weather prevented him to finish better. He's already in his hotel and about half of the runners are still running. There's a 73-year-old man from Chicago that able to finish the marathon in more than 5 hours.

     Tokyo is one of the most expensive cities in the world and Manik said that taxi fare of about a kilometer costs $10.00. Because the roads signs are all in Japanese, there are lots of time that he lost his way to his hotel.

    All finishers were given a very nice gold-plated medals.


       Because of Manik's participation in the 2019 Tokyo Marathon, he lost his first 2 games by default. Upon his return, his first opponent in the 3rd round is a boy from Solomon Islands Carlos Santus Amo Sifix, left, whom he defeated.

While Jennifer Tubtub Angeles, left, is playing vs. Bruce Soriano, their sons Aome Angeles and Brandon Kyle Soriano are having kids' chat while waiting for the next round pairings. Aome plays Nobu Yano next while Kyle lost to Manik in the 4th round.

In the 4th round, Manik defeated my guitar/chess student Brandon Kyle Soriano, 2nd from right, who likewise went to Guam for Spring vacation with his dad Bruce Soriano and mom Violet Lagmay Soriano. Both the father and son lost their 5th and 6th round matches respectively vs. Angelito 'Jun' Mintar, Jr., left, and Mary Grace Capili, my 7th round opponent on March 24. Jun's opponent here is my other guitar/piano/chess/ukulele student Angelica Magno.

In the 6th round, Bruce lost by default to Destiny Sisior while Brandon Kyle is lucky to have a BYE for an automatic 1 point.

Manik won over Rommel Gulla in the 4th round for an even score of 2 wins and 2 losses.




Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
               Tia Belau Newspaper
               December 29, 2002 -- March 21, 2019

               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 21, 2019

               The History of Chess in Palau 
               By Roberto Hernandez
               June 09, 2002 -- March 21, 2019

(1405) CHESS IN SCHOOL IN TURKEY -- THE BEST!!! (TBN-July 24, 2017)

BRIGHT FUTURE TO TURKISH CHESS YOUTH

                    In the 2012 World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey, they fielded in 3 teams as host nation. A nucleus of young Turkish chess players in the 3^rd team had a photo session with me and teammate Elizabeth Manuel. The staggering Chess in School program in Turkey resulted in them hosting their 2^nd Olympiad after the 2000 hosting. They plan to bid again for 2020 WCO but the best host ever, Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia won the bidding during the 2016 WCO in Baku, Azerbaijan.

                                                 (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

CHESS IN SCHOOL IN TURKEY -- THE BEST!!!

DURING the Asian Chess Summit held in Al Ain, UAE from August 28-Sept. 01, 2016 a report by Oceania Chess Confederation President Paul Spiller was circulated during the informal OCC meeting in the 2016 World Chess Olympiad in Baku, Azerbaijan on Sept. 07 at the luxurious Fairmont Hotel.

http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2016/12/1314-informal-meeting-of-o-c-c-members.html

                The Oceania representatives who attended that summit were: New Zealand: Paul Spiller, Grant Kerr & Nigel Metge; Australia: Gary Wastell; PNG: Shaun Press & Stuart Fancy; Nauru: Ulrike Vogel; Guam: Roger Orio; Solomon Islands: Jamie Kenmure

                THE PHENOMENAL SUCCESS OF CHESS IN SCHOOL IN TURKEY WAS EMPHASIZED BY Ali Nihat Yazici, the Turkish Chess Federation President:

             Ali Nihat Yazici spoke on how he built a successful Turkish Chess Federation and the phenomenal success of the Chess in Schools program in Turkey.

            The aim of chess was seen as a beautiful educational tool that will make us better citizens. Two aspects of the brains improvement can be influenced by chess – the logical and visual aspects.

             Chess develops mathematical problem solving by 15 – 20%. Ultimately the benefactors of a successful program are the children, federations, government, chess professionals and sponsors.

                Growth in the Turkish federation climbed from 300 in 2001 to a staggering 415,000 by 2014. Certified trainers increased from 1,400 in 2005 up to 74,000 by 2016 with 5,000,000 learning chess in Schools. Some key aspects of this success included a “Golden Children Program” rewarding young players who achieved the milestones of first GM under 14, under 16 and under 18.

                24,000 Schools now have a chess elective course in Turkey. Success is based on a pyramid structure involving Schools, Clubs, Chess Professionals and Government. [Turkish Federation receives a 3 million Euro budget from the Government per annum].

                FIDE Chief Executive Officer Geoffrey Borg, who visited Palau twice in 2014, presented the “Chess and Marketing” topic. He stressed that Marketing in Chess required a respected brand [i.e. having a product that somebody will pay for].

 http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2014/01/2-day-visit-to-palau-by-geoffrey-borg.html

http://palau-chess.blogspot.com.au/2014/04/geoffrey-borg-is-back-conducted-fide.html

                The estimated global population of chess players is 600 million, skewed towards male

[69% in the USA and 66% in the UK] and 55% of players are in the 16 – 34 age bracket.

                FIDE was recognized by the IOC in 1999 and currently has 181 member countries, one of the largest sports federations in the world. Values associated with chess as a brand are “sophisticated”, “smart” which can be used to attract potential sponsors. Important aspects when organizing tournaments were highlighted as:

                Following up with sponsors after an event

                Chess casting, Organize sponsor events, Hold press conferences, special events, dress up the    venue, award special prizes and have souvenirs.

With regard to chess within smaller federations, it was recommended to start a pdf magazine and in order to attract sponsorship include all the relevant numbers of chess players within a country including all junior players.

                Solution to last week’s puzzle No. 4421: 1. …Qe1+!! 2. Bxe1 Rxe1+ 3. Rf1 Rxf1#

                This week’s puzzle No. 4422: Black to move and mates in 3 (Solution next issue)

Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez

                 Tia Belau Newspaper

                 Pages 9-10

                 Volume 26

                 Issue 58

                 July 24, 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 -- July 25, 2017

                 The History of Chess in Palau

                 By Roberto Hernandez

                 June 09, 2002--July 25, 2017

(1372) CHESS NEOPHYTE ELIZABETH MANUEL AT 2012 WCO IN ISTANBUL, TURKEY

NEOPHYTE ELIZABETH MANUEL VS. GM MOHAMMED AL SAYED
          The first ever tournament participated in by Elizabeth Manuel, 3rd from left, is against a GM! She made it to Palau Chess Team when Bangladesh national in Palau Mohammad Manik Hossain missed his once in a lifetime chance to play in an Olympiad. Elizabeth committed an illegal move against Al Sayed, whose rating is 2517.                          (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)



    CHESS NEOPHYTE ELIZABETH 
      MANUEL AT 2012 W. C. O. IN
               ISTANBUL, TURKEY 

THE PALAU Chess Team to the 2012 World Chess Olympiad is supposed to be composed of Roberto Hernandez, Tito Cabunagan, Bernardo Garcia, Menandro Manuel and Mohammad Manik Hossain.

But Tito Cabunagan was the only technical person (mechanical engineer) that can assist a group of Japanese to check the 2 generators that Japan has donated to improve the power supply in Palau.

This opens the door for Elizabeth Manuel, the wife of Palau's most successful chess player Menandro, to be a reserved player. She's been to Palau many times to make her eligible but her experience is very little.

While in Manila working at Tourism Department of Philippine government, she works for Palau team to get Turkish visa with the members giving their cash money to pay for it, except Manik, who is still not permitted by his employer to go despite my letter requesting so.

After  me, Bernard, Menandro and her got our Turkish visa, Elizabeth works on her and Menandro's Schengen visa so that they can travel to Italy and France after the Olympiad before coming back to Manila. Eventually, they were issued Schengen visa even without the personal appearance of Menandro. Unlike in 2014, the Palau Chess Team (Open and Women) has to go to Manila 2 weeks earlier to get their Schengen visa at Royal Norwegian Embassy.

The members also send money for round-trip ticket (Manila-Singapore-Istanbul) to acquire Turkish visa. Manik  was finally allowed by his employer to go but with 2 weeks before the departure of the team, it's too late for him so it will be me at Board 1, Elizabeth (2), Bernard (3) and Menandro at Board 4 hoping to gain at least a CM title playing at the lowest board despite his 1924 rating to mine's 1875.

The 4-member Palau Chess Team check-in at Ninoy Aquino International Airport for a 11 hours stop-over in Singapore. While checking-in, I met my nephew Rommel Hernandez, who is also going to Singapore for all-expense paid job training. He works at Sony Corporation. We had some photos taken even at the waiting area. I haven't seen him in more or less 10 years.

During the check-in, I forgot to give the desk attendant my United Airlines Mileage No. RY685853, which prove to be crucial in me getting a lot of mileage for the Singapore-Istabul trip as it is a member of Star Alliance.

The long hours of waiting in Singapore is nothing compares to 11-hour trip to Singapore. I have finished 3 movies already and I am sitting with a Turkish who snores very loud that an American lady 5 meters away complained about the noise. 

We met our Delegate Jan Berglund at Adela Hotel, where many teams esp. from Africa were also billeted. I left my gift items from organizers at the lobby. When I remember it and goes back to look for it, it's gone. Some African players are still sitting close to the spot where I left it.

At the Opening Ceremony, we were able to have photos with Hikaru  Nakamura, Brian Jones, our team captain for 2nd time Australian Jamie Kenmure, who is also our Rating Officer, Gary Bekker, Dr. Virgilio de Asa of Fiji...

Our 1st round opponent is Qatar, who boasts 2 GMs in their lineup. I will be playing GM Mohamad Al-Modiahki while Elizabeth will be playing another GM Mohammed Al-Sayed.

    


Elizabeth's game against GM Al-Sayed produced the first illegal move in this Olympiad, when in the 13th move, her king is checked by a pawn. Instead of capturing the pawn with her king, she moved the bishop to e3. Al Sayed called the attention of the arbiter shaking his head. The arbiter asked me to explain to Elizabeth about the illegal move. I talk to her in English so that everybody will understand.

After she made the king capture, the arbiter deducted 2 minutes from her time. A move later, she resigned.

 [Event "Istanbul ol (Men) 40th"] [Site "Istanbul"]
[Date "2012.08.28"] [Round "1.2"]
[White "Manuel, Elizabeth"] [Black "Al Sayed, Mohammed"]
[Result "0-1"][ECO "B50"][Black Elo "2517"][PlyCount "26"]
[EventDate "2012.08.28"] [EventType "team-swiss"]
[EventRounds "11"] [EventCountry "TUR"]
[Source "ChessBase"] [SourceDate "2012.11.13"]
[White Team "Palau"] [Black Team "Qatar"]
[White Team Country "PAL"] [Black Team Country "QAT"]

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d3 Nf6 4. Bf4 Nc6 5. Nc3 g6 6. b3 Bg7 7. a3 O-O 8. g3 d5
9. h3 Nxe4 10. dxe4 Bxc3+ 11. Ke2 dxe4 12. Qc1 exf3+ 13. Kxf3 Qd5+ 0-1

At the bus, we are laughing while recalling the illegal move. Some Africans in the same bus are jealous of our happiness. I told them that we lost/swept by our opponent but we are very happy unlike those who won but not enjoying the moment.

I noticed that Elizabeth's games are short-lived. He lost against Iraq in 20 moves; against Maldives--mated on 15th; lost in 18 against Hong Kong; mated in 25th vs. US Virgin Islands and mated in 12 moves vs. Bermuda.

I gave her an idea to make her games longer. If she will make it till the 30th move, she can offer a draw and maybe her opponent will accept because she's a woman.

I told her to play 1. ... d6 even if her opponent opens up with 1. e4 or d4; proceed to play g6 and put the bishop at g7 and castles. That's a fort that's very hard to penetrate and just hang on till she reaches move 30 and offer a draw. We will be happy if she can score at least a draw in 11 games. We don't have reserve player so we have to play all 11 games.

While we are eating lunch, Elizabeth took notes of the strategy that I'm telling her. She wrote it on a piece of napkin. While playing against Macau in the 7th round, she followed my advice but when she don't remember the sequence, SHE IS LOOKING AT THAT PIECE OF PAPER AS IF SHE IS A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT CHEATING AT THE EXAM!

Eventually, she lost but reached move 28th! 

She's back again to her 'old' style and lost in 19 moves against Rwanda in Round 8 and in 25 moves against Guernsey.

Her best chance is against a Burundi team that has only 2 players. I won over Board 1 playing 1. a4 and Menandro at Board 4. Bernard, who gain a CM title by scoring 3.5 points in his first 7 games, won and even if Elizabeth would lose her game, Palau will still score their match on 3-1. Elizabeth's opponent, Deo Ntagasigumwami, became my friend through FB since then. We meet again in Norway and Azerbaijan Olympiads.     


Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
                 Tia Belau Newspaper
                 December 29, 2002 -- April 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 --April 23, 2017

                The History of Chess in Palau
                By Roberto Hernandez
                June 09, 2002--April 23, 2017
        

(1259) MENANDRO MANUEL -- Most Successful Palau Chess Player (TBN-Sept. 05, 2016)

    
               


    

:  MENANDRO AND ELIZABETH MANUEL AT THE 2012 WORLD CHESS OLYMPIAD

                     After the 2012 WCO, the Manuel couple proceeded to Italy and France for 5 days before returning back to Philippines. Mrs. Manuel is the one who gets the Turkish visas of Palau Chess Team members and also the Schengen visa of her and Menandro, who didn’t have to be present to get it in 2012. The 2014 Palau Chess Team (Open and Women) need to get their Schenger visas in person for finger printing and interview.     (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)



              MENANDRO MANUEL ---
     Most Successful Palau Chess Player 

GEODETIC Engineer and National Master (NM) Menandro ‘Boy’ Manuel is the most successful Palau chess player, winning 22 chess championships in Palau (including blitz chess competitions). The 2^nd most successful and the pioneer of chess in Palau NM and FIDE Instructor (FI) Roberto Hernandez has 15 titles since the beginning of chess in Palau in June 09, 2002.

                Third in the list is the current No. 1 chess player of Palau NM Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr., who has won 9 titles followed by NM Antonio Villa, who won 7 titles from Oct. 01, 2006—April 26, 2008, mostly blitz titles and one National Championship.  A Palau player who won a National Championship automatically becomes a National Master, with the latest one going to Jose Celiz for winning the 2013 edition. Jeff Balbalosa is projected to be the next NM of Palau but he won already Online Arena FIDE Master title (AFM) – which is recognized by FIDE in his participation in the 2016 World Chess Olympiad in Baku, Azerbaijan. It is now in the 4^th round where Palau was swept by ICCD, Barbados and Hong Kong.

In the 4^th round, they will face Gambia, who has the same record, at the last table.

                Manuel Nedic and Jose Omega are tied with 5 titles each while Civil Engineer Eddie Grefiel had 4 titles in 3 years (2002-2004). NM Tito Cabunagan has 3 including 2 National Championships (2012 and tied with Hernandez and Montel, Jr. in 2011).

                THE RECAP OF MANUEL’S 30 TITLES:

1. The first tourney of 2003, (3) the Open, Menandro Manuel topped the Class A and Chito Vargas clinched the Class B championship that was held on Jan. 12-April 27.

2. (10) 2004 Blitz Chess Tournament (Sept. 12, 2004) 3. (11) 2004 Sunday Blitz Chess Tilt (Sept. 26, 2004)

4. (13) 2004 Knights and Rooks Chess Club (Palau) Christmas Party and Blitz Chess Festival (Dec. 19)

Co-champions –Eddie Grefiel and Menandro Manuel (both with 8 wins and 1 loss).

5. (14) 2005 Regular Chess Tournament (Jan. 06-April 17) 6. (18) 2005 Blitz Chess Contest (July 24)

7. (19) 2005 Blitz Chess Competition (Aug. 7) 8. (20) 2005 Blitz Chess Tilt (Aug. 14) Manuel Nedic and Menandro Manuel –Co-champions. 9. (22) 2005 Blitz Chess Tournament (Sept. 4) Menandro Manuel, Cyril Montel, Jr.—Champions. 10. (23) 2005 Blitz Chessfest (Sept. 18)

11. (24) 2005-2006 Rapid Chess Tournament (Oct. 23, 2005 – Feb. 12, 2006)

12. (28) 2006 Palau National Chess Championship (March 19-Aug. 06) Manuel Nedic (17-3-2) and Menandro Manuel (18-4-0) co-champions and became Palau’s first National Master (NM).

13. (31) 2006 Blitz Chess (10 minutes) March 26 –Menandro Manuel (6-0-0) – Champion.

14. (33) 2006 After the Games Blitz Chess Tilt (April 16) Menandro Manuel (7-1-0) – Champion.

15. (36) 2006 Blitz Chess Contest (May 7) Menandro Manuel (7-1-0)—Champion.

16. (39) 2006 Blitz Chess Tourney (June 11) Menandro Manuel (10-0-0)—Champion.

17. (42) 2006 Rapid Chess Tournament (Oct. 01-Dec. 17) Champions—Antonio Villa (13-3-4), Menandro Manuel (14-4-2). 18. (44) 2006 Blitz Chess Contest (Oct. 18) 19. (53) 2007 Palau Invitational Chess Championship (Sept. 15-20) Champions—Boris Michael Diez (Philippines) and Menandro Manuel.

20. (55) 2008 Palau National Chess championship (Unfinished) April 26-Nov. 23 (Menandro Manuel – champion for having the most number of points). 21. (57) 2010 PNCC –Champion –Menandro Manuel

22. (59) 2011 Palau Invitational Chess Championship (Dec. 14-20) Champions – Joselito Marcos (Papua New Guinea) and Menandro Manuel.

                Manuel’s first participation in World Chess Olympiad was in the 2012 WCO in Istanbul, Turkey with teammates Roberto Hernandez (Board 1), his wife Elizabeth Manuel (Board 2), him at Board 4 and Bernardo Garcia at Board 3, who became the first titled player of Palau when he scored 3.5 points in the first 7 rounds after losing the first 3 rounds by a sweep!

                One notable characteristic of Manuel is – he plays well when there is a good sum of cash prizes at stake like the 2009-2010 PNCC, 2007 PICC, 2006 Rapid Chess Tournament and the inaugural 2006 PICC where he won $100.00 for being the top scoring Palau players with 4.5 points and edging Australian IA Gary Bekker. He also won $150.00 in the 2011 PICC where he shared the $300.00 1^st and 2^nd placer’s purse with the generous CM Joselito Marcos, who donated his $150.00 cash prize to Palau Chess Federation so that it can pay its yearly dues to FIDE.

                While waiting in line to check-in their baggage for his vacation in Philippines on Dec. 23, 2011, he saw Mr. Marcos with his wife and daughter going to Philippines also after the successful 2011 PICC. He asked Joselito if it’s possible for him to be Board 4 instead of Board 1 in the 2012 Olympiad in trying to get at least a CM title. That’s what happened in Istanbul but it’s not meant to be as Garcia is the one who gained a CM title instead of him because many countries are doing the same strategy.

                Solution to last week’s puzzle No. 3459: 1. Bd2 Nd3 2. Ra8 mate.

               This week’s puzzle No. 3460: White to move and mates in 2 (Solution next issue)

Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez

                  Tia Belau Newspaper

                  Pages 9-10

                  Volume 25

                  Issue 83

                  September 05, 2016

                  Chess and Music (Perfect Combination)

                  The Beginning of Chess in Palau

                  By Roberto Hernandez

                  To be published as a book in the future

                  Music and Me by Roberto Hernandez

                  Tia Belau Newspaper

                  March 15, 2012  -- April 18, 2013

                  http://palau-chess.blogspot.com

                  April 25, 2013 -- September 05, 2016

                  The History of Chess in Palau

                  By Roberto Hernandez

                  June 09, 2002 -- September 05, 2016