Palau Chessmate: Elpidio Manaligod

   December 29, 2002 --October 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

   The History of Chess in Palau
   By Roberto Hernandez
   June 09, 2002 -- October 05, 2016

Monday, September 7, 2015

(1056) SCHEDULE OF 2013 WYCC IN UAE (TBN-Dec. 16, 2013)

PCF CHRISTMAS PARTY ON DEC. 22

Eugene Labarda, right, suggested to Roberto Hernandez to have a Christmas party of chess players at Bethlehem Park or at their staff house. Each player is asked to bring one dish for everybody to share. The tentative date is Dec. 22 (Sunday). Others in the photo (penultimate round of 2013 Palau Blitz Chess Championship), from left, John Joseph Pabiona, Remrel Dizon, Tito Cabunagan, Sib Reyes, Alfredo Pacenos, Jr. and Elpidio Manaligod.

(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

SCHEDULE OF

2014 WYCC IN U. A . E.

FOR THE first time in Palau Chess history, a junior player will be participating in the 12 and under division of 2013 World Youth Chess Championship in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates with Ksau Anthony Whipps to be accompanied by his dad Eric. The duo left Palau on Friday, the 13^th of December and will stay in UAE with their friends before arriving in Al Ain on Dec. 17 (Tue).

The following is the schedule of 2013 WYCC:

Arrival of about 1,700 participants/delegation/arbiters on Dec. 17

Opening Ceremony at 20:00 on Wed. (Dec. 18) – Technical Meeting at 11:00 and Ceremonial Moves at 14:30 and the 1^st round will start at 15:00.

2^nd round will be on Dec. 19 (Thu) at 15:00 and 3^rd round on Dec. 20 (Fri) at 15:00

4^th round will be on Dec. 21 (Sat) at 9:00 where Ksau will not play. It will be Eric’s decision if he will not play also in the 5^th round on the same day (Sat) at 16:00.

6^th round will be on Sunday (Dec. 22) at 15:00. 7^th round on Mon. Dec. 23 at 15:00 also.

7^th round will be on Tue. Dec. 24 at 10. Blitz Championship will be at 18:00 and the Cultural Celebration at 20:00.

Christmas Day (Dec. 25) is free day.

9^th round will be

on Thu. (Dec. 26) at 15:00. 10^th round will on Fri. Dec. 25 at 15:00 also.

The final (11^th) round will be played on Sat. (Dec. 28) at 9:00. Ksau will not play in the final round but will attend the Closing Ceremony at 20:00.

Departure is on Dec. 29 (Sun).

On Dec. 12, Eric emailed Casto ‘Toti’ Abundo about why is Ksau was put in the 14 and under catergory where 196 players are listed in the very strong division where the top seed have a FIDE rating of more than 2400. THE FOLLOWING IS THE EMAIL AND THE RESPONSE FROM TOTI:

Hello Toti, Can you check Ksau’s category as I believe he should be playing in the open under 12 category as his birthday is April 17, 2001. The rules state that, ‘A player must not have reached his … 12^th birthday respectively, before January 1^st of the year 2013. Please also see the players in the attached photos and the categories they were placed under. I appreciate it if you could look into this matter.

http://www.worldyouth2013.com/regulation/2 Regards, Eric

Dear Eric, You make a good chess Arbiter. Attached is your son’s ID card for the under 12. Thanks, Jamie. Regards, Casto Abundo.

ANOTHER EMAIL FROM MR. ABUNDO ABOUT THE FREE VISAS, AIR TICKETS AND ACCOMMODATION:

Dear Eric, Attached are your tournament ID cards. Electronic visas to follow. We need an invoice for your tickets and your bank account number to transfer the funds to purchase the ticket. A travel agency there can help you. You can fly either to Dubai or Abu Dhabi to arrive 17 Dec. and depart 29 Dec. There will be university buses at the airport to take you to Al Ain. More information on the website

www.worldyouth2013.com Regards, Casto Abundo

Solution to last week’s puzzle: 1. …Nf4+ 2. Ke4 or Ke3 Re2 3. Kxf4 Be5 mate.

This week’s puzzle: Black to move and mates in 3 (Solution next issue)

Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
   Tia Belau Newspaper
   Pages 9-10
   Volume 22
   Issue 100
   December 16, 2013

Friday, July 31, 2015

(1002) EDWIN ACUYAN'S FIRST GAME (TBN-Sept. 05, 2011)

LAST GAME FOR OUTSIDERS AT PRR DORM

Bernard Garcia, left, lost 3 games on the last day that outsiders are allowed to play at PRR Dorm 1. Angie Parrado, right, scored her 2nd victory over Bernard. Roberto Hernandez, 2nd from left, and Paquito Suringa, Jr. watched the exciting game sporadically.

(Photo by Roberto Hernandez -- Taken by Rudel Roxas)

EDWIN ACUYAN'S FIRST GAME

FINALLY, EDWIN Acuyan played his first game of the 2011 Palau National Chess Championship against 3^rd seed and co-employee Roberto Hernandez on Tuesday, Aug. 30 after taking their lunch. Acuyan, the new Food and Beverage Manager of Palau Royal Resort is off on that day but they used the rapid time control of 30 minutes for each player to finish the game.

Hernandez was able to annotate their game, a Sicilian Defence encounter. A doubtful 2^nd move of f6 created a weakness to Acuyan’s king side that Hernandez exploited to win a pawn and a bishop early in the game. After winning another knight and exchanging their queens, Hernandez won the exchange (a bishop for a rook) and is ready to checkmate Acuyan on the 30^th move when the latter resign.

August 28 was the last Sunday that outsiders are allowed to play at PRR Dorm 1 lounge. Tito Cabunagan and Jose Celiz arrived at 2:00 pm. Angie Parrado don’t have a ride and she requested Bernard Garcia to pick her up so that they can play their game. Bernard had a bad day as he lost to Jose and to Gonzalo ‘Jojo’ Escapatoria, Jr.

Tito and Jose proceeded to Beken’s Store to play against Gene Pastrana but the other venue host refused to play against them. Jeff Balbalosa also came at PRR and watched the last game of the day between Bernard and Angie. He’s shaking his head when Angie missed some winning lines. In spite that she was unable to find the quickest way to win, Angie still extracted a whole point over Bernard for her second win of the event.

Hernandez suggested a match between Rudel Roxas and Escapatoria, Jr. but the former was invited for a swim by friends and he just gave away the victory to Jojo, who picked up his 4^th win against 5 losses.

To speed up the current tournament, Hernandez will suggest the following: Games will be set at Beken’s Store. If on agreed date and time, a player didn’t show up, he will lose automatically. If he showed up and Gene can’t play for whatever reason, their game will be declared a draw.

Elpidio Manaligod doesn’t have to play a single game if his current job schedule is too tight for him to play even in the rapid time control. All he has to do is show up in a specified date and time and agreed to draw with that unrated player. Against FIDE rated players, he will lose to them if he can’t play even in the rapid time control.

Tito suggested that players who played less than 5 games lose all their remaining games. That’s when there’s still 27 days left before the 2011 PNCC concludes. Surely, Gene will not agree to this as it will plummet his ranking to the cellar. That’s why the above-mentioned suggestion of Hernandez will somehow ease the burdens from Gene and many other players like Dennis Gonzales, Mohammad Manik Hossain, Jeffrey Negrillo and Ferdinand ‘Bong’ Gutierrez.

That Sunday at Beken’s Store, when Gene refused to play against Tito and Jose, they should have just declare it a draw.

Current standings of 2011 PNCC (The players, their win-loss-draw record and points):
1. Menandro ‘Boy’ Manuel (9-2-2) 10 pts.
2. Tito Cabunagan (8-1-2) 9 pts.
3. Roberto Hernandez (9-3-0) 9 pts.
4. Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. (6-1-2) 7 pts.
5. Paquito ‘Pax’ Suringa, Jr. (6-4-2) 7 pts.
6. Jose Celiz (6-2-1) 6.5 pts.
7. Bernard Garcia (5-6-2) 6 pts.
8. Jeff Balbalosa (6-9-0) 6 pts.
9. Gonzalo ‘Jojo’ Escapatoria, Jr. (4-5-0) 4 pts.
10. Rudel Roxas (3-6-2) 4 pts.
11. Jeffrey Negrillo (2-1-1) 2.5 pts.
12. Angie Parrado (2-6-1) 2.5 pts.
13. Mohammad Manik Hossain (2-5-0) 2 pts.
14. Dennis Gonzales (1-2-0) 1 pt.
15. Ferdinand ‘Bong’ Gutierrez (1-7-0) 1 pt.
16. Gene Pastrana (0-1-1) .5 pt.
17. Edwin Acuyan (0-1-0)
18. Karen Lee (0-2-0)
19. Elizalde Madrinan (0-3-0)
20. Ann Acebron (0-3-0)
21. Elpidio Malaligod (0-0-0).

Source:   Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
             Tia Belau Newspaper
   Pages 9-10
   Volume 20
             Issue 36
             September 05, 2011

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

(994) Profile of Champions -- TITO CABUNAGAN (TBN-Oct. 03, 2011)

CHAMPIONS ALL BUT ONE
   Jose Celiz, right, is the only one in this photo that's not been a champion in Palau but he dealt the only loss of current co-champion Tito Cabunagan, left, in the recently concluded 2011 PNCC. The other champs in the photo are Menandro Manuel, the depending champion (behind Tito), 2009-2010 champ Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr., middle, and Roberto Hernandez, 2nd from right.                                      (Photo by: Roberto Hernandez -- Taken byPaquito Suringa, Jr.)

                     Profile of Champions ---
   TITO CABUNAGAN


DURING THE last day of 2011 Palau National Chess Championship, 4 players are vying for title --Tito Cabunagan, Menandro 'Boy' Manuel, Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. and Roberto Hernandez.

Two days prior to the last day, Hernandez called Tito in the last hours to play against Elpidio Manaligod and George Anzawa at Lehn's Motel/Store where Elpidio can only play.

After defeating Elpidio and George, Tito is destined to clinch the title even if there is a 4-way tie for the championship because he has defeated Hernandez and drew with Boy and Cyril.

The winner-over-the other tiebreak will give Tito the title. An upset victory of Dennis Gonzales over Manuel ousted the latter of contention. Hernandez' victory over Dennis and default wins over some unrated players assured him of at least a tie for title.

Tito has suggested 27 days before the end of the tournament that players who haven't play at least 5 games will lose all their remaining games by default.

This suggestion was applied by Hernandez that sparks a disagreement with Tito himself. He wants a win over fellow unrated Edwin Acuyan, who played more than 5 games: a loss to Hernandez and Paquito 'Pax' Suringa, Jr. and draws with co-employees Jeffrey Negrillo, Rudel Roxas and Ferdinand Gutierrez. Acuyan also drew with Anzawa and Jeff Balbalosa.

In the 2009-2010 Palau National Chess Championship Tito didn't make it to the Class A when in the last day of classification round, he had to go to Guam with his wife and drew his last round match with Flavin Andres. In the process, he missed the cut to Class A but became the top seed in the Class B division where he demolished the opposition like a storm and finished it undefeated.

But the Class B division is not FIDE rated so Tito remained unrated internationally until the current PNCC.

With some persistent bargaining, Hernandez was able to solicit some sponsors for airfare to the 2010 World Chess Olympiad in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia. Tito was the one to be invited to be in the team together with Cyril, Bernard Garcia and Gene Pastrana.

With some confusion especially with the electronic payment of tickets, Bernard, Cyril and Gene missed a once in a lifetime opportunity to represent a country (even not their own) to the biennial Chess Olympiad.

Tito and Roberto survived the rigid process of entering the Russian territory with their determination but it's not enough to be allowed to play because the minimum number of players is 3 to be allowed to play.

When all possibilities were exploited but failed, Tito and Roberto just enjoyed the experience of being chess tourists in Russia with free full accommodation (hotel rooms, thrice a day sumptuous meal, rides to the Olympiad sites, excursions, internet, socializing with the top chess players of the world including 4 former world chess champions.

It's an unforgettable experience money can't buy. So with the next World Chess Olympiad set in 2012 at Istanbul, Turkey, Tito and Hernandez will not miss this rare chance even though they have to buy their own airfare.

They are the first one to commit to be the members of Palau Chess Team together with Manuel, Mohammad Manik Hossain and George Anzawa.

Cyril and Dennis can't commit earlier than George and if one of them will commit later, Hernandez will swift to Delegate or Women's Team Captain to accommodate him.

Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
           Tia Belau   Newspaper
           Volume 20
   Issue 41
   October 03, 2011

Friday, April 3, 2015

(917) 2008 PNCC RESUMES -- MANUEL, HERNANDEZ NIP FOES (TBN-July 18-24, 2008)

2008 PNCC RESUMES
Manuel, Hernandez Nip Foes

MENANDRO 'Boy' Manuel has been assigned in Yap twice to missed the first 2 months of 2008 Palau National Chess Championship.

Upon his return, he played the only game of the week against 3rd seed Cyril Montel, Jr. on Sunday, July 06 at Jean's Boutique and Store, where he won in 45 moves of Sicilian Defence (Alapin Variation).

In his 2nd game upon his return, he clobbered newcomer Elpidio Manaligod (9th round game) in almost the same number of moves (44) of Ruy Lopez.

White: Menandro Manuel (1942) (97) July 13, 2008

Black: Elpidio Manaligod

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nge7 4. 0-0 a6 5. Ba4 h6 6. c3 d6 7. h3 Be6 8. d4 Bd7 9. Nbd2 g5 10. d5 Nb8 11. Bxd7+ Qxd7 12. Nh2 h5 13.Nc4 f6 14. Ne3 Bg7 15. f3 a5 16. Rf2 Na6 17. Nhf1 Nc5 18. Ng3 Ng6 19. Ngf5 Nf4 20. Nxg7+ Qxg7 21. Nf5 Qd7 22. Be3 Ncd3 23. Rd2 Nc5 24. Bxc5 dxc5 25. Kf2 0-0-0 26. b4 c4 27. a4 g4 28. fxg4 hxg4 29. h4 Nd3+ 30. Rxd3 cxd3 31. Qxd3 c6 32. d6 b6 33. bxa5 Qa7 34. axb6 Qxb6+ 35. Kf1 Rh7 36. Rb1 Qa7 37. Qc4 Kd7 38. Qb3 Qa6+ 39. c4 Rh8 40. Qb7+ Qxb7 41. Rxb7+ Ke8 42. Ng7+ Kf8 43. Ne6+ Ke8 44. Re7# 1-0

Meanwhile, Roberto Hernandez played his 10th round game against another newcomer Andres Mestizo II (his 13th round game) and mated the skidding Mestizo II on the 24th move of a Danish Gambit where Mestizo II didn't accept the offered pawn on the 2nd move and placed his queen at f6 instead. He lost a knight on the 10th move, recovered it on the 17th move but his exposed king cannot escaped the mating net.

White: Roberto Hernandez (1830) (98) July 13, 2008

Black: Andres Mestizo II

1. e4 e5 2. d4 Qf6 3. Nf3 d6 4. Bg5 Qg6 5. Nc3 Bg4 6. h4 Nc6 7. Bb5 Bd7 8. h5 Qe6 9. d5 Qg4 10. dxc6 bxc6 11. Bf1 f6 12. Be3 Ne7 13. Qd3 d5 14. Rh4 Qe6 15. exd5 cxd5 16. 0-0-0 d4 17. Bxd4 exd4 18. Nxd4 Qf7 19. Qe4 Rb8 20. Ndb5 Bxb5 21. Bxb5+ Rxb5 22. Qa8+ Nc8 23. Qxc8+ Ke7 24. Qd7# 1-0

             NATIONAL RATING ---  OCTOBER 2007

1. Menandro Manuel                                  2159
2. Jose Omega                                           2157
3. Bong Alipoon                                         2155
4. Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr.                           2140
5. Roberto Hernandez                                2076
6. Jimmy Valenzuela                                 2059
7. Manuel Nedic                                        2020
8. Ivan II Chess Computer                       1974
9. Jaime Guevarra                                      1951
10. Joel Azana                                           1944
11. Edwin Eti                                              1941
12. Jose Misael de Jesus                             1939
13. Eugenio Pastrana                                  1938
14. Morton Sawaichi                                  1913
15. Dennis Gonzales                                   1911
16. Joeven delos Santos                             1892
17. Jess Toldoya                                         1883
18. Rodiante Balagso                                1881
19. Nino Flores                                           1865
20. Jess Gomez                                           1855
21. Zaldy Ranopa                                        1845
22. Dennis Lara                                           1838
23. Paul Garcia                                            1823
24. William Blasquino                                  1812
25. Jerry Sermeno                                       1810
26. Arnel Pama                                           1773
27. Tutii Joe Chilton                                  1771
28. Robert Tubice                                       1771
29. Laurence Abuton                                1770
30. Francis Temaungil                                 1767
31. Antonio Penas                                      1762
32. Erick Ventinilla                                      1754
33. Flavin Andres                                     1720
34. Ernie Mijares                                        1712
35. Rogelio Menor                                     1708
36. Em-R de Vera                                       1708
37. James dela Cruz                                   1706
38. Lito Salas                                             1672
39. Paquito Suringa, Jr.                              1670
40. Abraham Francisco                              1670
41. Manny Dulay                                        1647
42. John Pastrana                                       1632
43. Randy Sioson                                       1611
44. Arnold Rivera                                       1608

Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
   Tia Belau Newspaper
   Pages 9-10
   Volume 17
   July 18-24, 2008

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

(578) ELI ESCAPES WITH A WIN (TBN-June 27-July 03, 2008)

IT'S THE first serious chess tournament participation of Elizalde 'Eli' Madrinan, a cook at Palau Royal Resort, and he prevailed once more over first timer Elpidio Manaligod in the featured game on Sunday, June 22 in the resumption of 2008 Palau National Chess Championship held at Jean's Boutique and Store.

Eli blundered away a bishop in the middle game in exchange of two pawns and positional advantage. Manaligod missed a knight capture of a pawn in the ensuing play and play it safe.

With some accurate maneuver, Eli managed to promote his 2 pawns into queens and mated the skidding Manaligod to claim his 3rd victory. His other 2 wins are from co-employees Paquito 'Pax' Suringa and Arnel Pama, who has yet to win a game.

In the first game of the day, Manaligod subdued Suringa in a marathon 70-move French Defence game where some passive play cost Pax the game. He missed a strong rook capture that will pave the way for his passed pawn and put Manaligod on the defensive side.

Second seed Jose Omega showep up at the tournament site and played one game against Pama. The game is scheduled on Wednesday at PRR Dormitory 1 but they played it there to save time.

As usual, Pama have a good opening repertoire but his weakness in the middle game was exploited by Omega and mated Pama on the 38 moves of Caro-Kahn Defence. With the victory, Omega seized the 2nd spot in the standings from Palau's first National Master Manny Nedic, who showed up late in the afternoon and not enough time to set a match with 4th seed Roberto Hernandez, as he has to work at 6:00 pm.

Their scheduled match on Saturday, June 28 is not possible as Hernandez will work on the 3rd Anniversary of Palau Royal Resort and the grand opening of PRR beach.

STANDINGS OF PLAYERS AND THEIR WIN-LOSS-DRAW RECORD: 1. Tony Villa (14-2-1) 2. Jose Omega (11-2-0) 3. Manny Nedic (10-1-0) 4. Craig Dittrich (8-6-2) 5. Jimboy de Jesus (7-5-1) 6. Cyril Montel, Jr. (5-2-1) 7. Roberto Hernandez (5-2-1) 8. Jaime Guevarra (3-4-2) 9. Dennis Lara (3-4-1) 10. Elpidio Manaligod (3-4-1) 11. Eli Madrinan (3-7-1) 12. Paquito Suringa (3-7-0) 13. Andres Mestizo II (2-8-2) 14. Michael Mercado (2-6-1) 15. Mohammad Manik Hossain (3-11-1) 16. Eric Espartero (2-2-0) 17. Gene Pastrana (2-3-0) 18. Ken Pastrana (0-2-2) 19. Arnel Pama (0-8-0) 20. Jan Berglund 21. Menandro Manuel 22. Em-R de Vera

Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
                Tia Belau Newspaper
   Pages 13 & 15
   Volume 18
June 27-July 03, 2008

(577) NM NEDIC ON A ROLL (TBN-June 20-26, 2013)

Palau first National Master Manny Nedic scored 3 more victories in the resumption of 2008 Palau National Chess Championship on Father's Day, June 15 at Jean's Boutique and Store.

He defeated Paquito 'Pax' Suringa, Jr. in just 19 moves of Queen's Pawn Opening and Jimboy de Jesus on Saturday afternoon in 27 moves of Giocco Piano and on June 08, he trounced Koror State Legal Counsel Craig Dittrich in 25 moves of Slav Defence to overtake idle Jose Omega at 2nd spot with a 10-1-0 win-loss-draw record. He remains the only player with the least loss.

Fourth seed Roberto Hernandez played the other game on Saturday afternoon against lone Bangladeshi entrant Mohammad Manik Hossain and prevailed in 23 moves of Dutch Defence as Manik mishandled the pet defense of Hernandez and never had a chance to equalize or position his pieces to an attack or offensive maneuver.

Another game was played late on June 08 between Andres 'Aying' Mestizo II and newcomer Elpidio Manaligod when some commotion happened as Elpidio is writing his moves for the first time.

He used to ask some questions to Aying during their game. In some instances Aying got irritated of Elpidio's continuous asking of how to annotate chess moves.

Elpidio should have done it since his first game. The game ended in a draw with Aying having an overwhelming advantage.

Another game that was not recorded in this column was the Arnel Pama vs. Suringa, Jr. match in which Pax claimed his 3rd win in 35 moves of Pirc Defence.

Em-R de Vera already paid his registration fee of $20.00 through the generosity of top seed Menandro Manuel but didn't play a single game yet.

Manaligod is paying his entry fee in installment. He paid $5.00 in his first day of participation and another $5.00 in his 3rd week.

Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
   Tia Belau Newspaper
   Pages 13 & 15
   Volume 18
   June 20-26, 2008

Palau Chessmate

Sunday, October 9, 2016

(1275) CHESS MATE ISSUES No. 301-350 and their LINKS