(997) A DAY EARLIER (TBN-June 20, 2011)

CHESS, CHEESE CAKE, ICE CREAM ON DHON'S BIRTHDAY
     Dhon Pano-on, center, celebrated his birthday at the tournament site of Rapid Chess Tournament (Palau Royal Resort Dormitory 1) by treating the chess players and non-chess players with ice cream and chesse cake. From left, Erick Ventinilla, Jordan Santos, Roberto Hernandez, Derrick Manipis, Miguel Gancayco and Ronel Gutierrez.
                                                                                                                                (Photo by: Roberto Hernandez - Taken by Tonet Medillo)

            A DAY EARLIER

IN HIS telephone conversation with Menandro ‘Boy’ Manuel, Roberto Hernandez got an idea to make the 2011 Palau National Chess Championship more convenient to all players. Since Gene Pastrana is still waiting for his airfare to go back to work in Guam, Manuel suggested that he should join the PNCC that will start on Sunday, June 26 and one of the venues will be his Beken’s Store and General Merchandise premises.

 Gene has an international FIDE rating of 1754 and if he will join the other 4 FIDE rated players, there will be a maximum of 15 participants and 10 of them can have international rankings. If Bernard Garcia is also joining, 18 can compete and if Manuel ‘Jun’ Mahor will also join, then a maximum of 21 players can join. One third is the required number of FIDE rated players to make a tournament FIDE rated. Palau top rated players are Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. (1941), Manuel (1910), Hernandez (1846), Pastrana (1754), Mahor (1646), Garcia (1629) and Paquito Suringa, Jr. (1602).

Manuel also suggested that the start the tournament will be a day earlier (Saturday) as it’s his day off and he can play as many games as he can because he is taking a vacation in July. The venue (Beken’s Store) is also excellent for other players like Jimboy de Jesus, Mahor and others who live nearby. The Palau Royal Resort’s players can play their games at PRR Dormitory 1 or at Bethlehem Park near Palau National Gymnasium for players who are watching basketball games.

After talking to Gene Pastrana, Hernandez was able to convince him to join the tourney and he’s willing to be the caretaker/arbiter of the games to be played at Beken’s Store. The FIDE Laws of Chess will be displayed at the giant chessboard that he converted into bulletin board so that any dispute will be settled by referring to it. Gene is also worried that he is rusty at this time but in only a week of practice, one can regain his top form.

One of the suggestions also of Manuel is to reduce the amount of registration fee from $20.00 to $10.00 and half of the collected fee will be for cash prizes and the other half is for the Palau Chess Team Fund of the 2012 World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey.

The awarding of cash prizes of the 2010-2011 Palau National Chess Championship will also be held on the opening day of the PNCC. Manuel donated $20.00 of his $80.00 prize pot to the Team Fund and he will keep the remaining $60.00. First runner-up Jerry Sermeno will get all of his $65.00. Second runner-up Hernandez will donate $15.00 and will get $50.00. Tito Cabunagan will donate all of his $30.00 prize pot. Dennis Gonzales will get also his $40.00 cash prize with still undetermined amount of donation to the Fund as well as Montel, Jr. while Mohammad Manik Hossain will donate half of his cash prize ($10.00) and will keep the other half ($10.00).

Hernandez has emailed the participants of the still unfinished 2011 Rapid Chess tournament that suggested that all the remaining games be declared draws. Thus, the following will be the final standings: 1. Menandro Manuel – 8 pts. 2. Roberto Hernandez -7 pts. 3. Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. and Tito Cabunagan with 6.5 points but the winner-over-the-other tiebreak gives the 3^rd spot to Cyril. 5. Jose Celiz -5 pts. 6. Mohammad Manik Hossain and Jeff Balbalosa with 4.5 points each but Manik has won more games than Jeff.

The prize for the champion (Manuel) is a gift certificate of dinner for 2 at Palau Royal Resort’s Waves Restaurant and the 1^st Runner-up (Hernandez), a lunch for 2 at PRR’s Waves Restaurant. The registration fees that will be collected will be added to the Team Fund.

The 3^rd Palau Invitational Chess Championship has some good news from Philippine Congressman and President of National Chess Federation of the Philippines Prospero ‘Butch’ Pichay. Through a Facebook chat with USA and Phil. Chess Master Almario Marlon Bernardino, Mr. Pichay will be coming to Palau to visit Hernandez and maybe a discussion about the possibility of sponsoring some players to compete in the 3^rd PICC, the inclusion of 2 young FIDE Masters to the Palau Chess Team to Turkey and some ways to develop chess in Palau.

 This is the fulfillment of his promise to Hernandez during the last day of 2010 World Chess Olympiad in Russia that being short of players in future Olympiad will not happen again to Palau. And that he will visit Palau through his private plane (Cessna) in late part of 2010 or early in 2011.           WELCOME TO PALAU CONGRESSMAN PICHAY!!!

Source: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
             Tia Belau Newspaper
             Pages 9-10
             Volume 20
             Issue 25
             June 20, 2011 

(525) "Tube Ice" Escapes With A Win Over Top Seed (TBN-Oct. 19-25, 2007)

IT WAS another hectic week in the resumption of Palau Royal Resort rating chess tournament as 27 games were played during the week with Robert 'Tube Ice' Tubice scoring 3 wins and losing 3 games.

His biggest victory was over top seed Roberto Hernandez where he is down with a whole rook in the middle game.

Hernandez is playing simultaneous against other 2 players, Jaime Guevarra and Arnel Pama.

Against Tubice, Hernandez made a blunder pawn advance that allowed Tubice to attack the back rank. 

Another mistake 3 moves later cost him the game in 38 moves of Sicilian Defence. 

He lost by time forfeit to Guevarra, who used only 30 minutes of his time, in 57 moves of Sicilian Defence.

When they resume and analyze the game, Hernandez also lost in all variations. 

He is lucky to draw with Pama when he forked his opponent's king and rook in 55 moves of King's Gambit Accepted.

Two days later, Hernandez played another 3 players at a time winning all of them -- over Arnold Rivera in 26 moves of Irregular Opening; subduing Abraham 'Abe' Francisco and outlasting Paquito 'Pax' Suringa, Jr. in 66 moves of Sicilian Defence.

RESULTS OF OTHER GAMES:
     Guevarra is now in solo 2nd spot after scoring 5 straight victories over Ivan II Chess Computer in 49 moves of Benko Gambit; over Tony Penas in 60 moves of Danish Gambit; against Manny Dulay in just 17 moves of Bishop Opening.
     He nipped Tubice in 58 moves of another Bishop Opening and dealt Paul Garcia his 6th loss in 52 moves of King's Pawn Opening.

     Pama clobbered Erick Ventinilla in 27 moves of Reti Opening; Zaldy Ranopa won 2 more games over Nino Flores in 35 moves of Bishop Opening and over Laurence Abuton in 57 moves  King's Pawn Opening to stay as the only player with least loss (3).

     Flores whipped Dulay and Abuton in 49 moves of Ruy Lopez and 22 moves of Bishop Opening respectively; Tubice outwitted Abuton and Suringa in 41 moves of KPO and in 45 moves of Bishop Opening respectively; Suringa swept Rivera in their 2nd round encounter in 35 moves of Irregular Opening and touted Penas in 24 moves and took the measure of Pama in both KPO.

Hernandez is in solo 1st place after beating Penas in 37 moves of King's Gambit Accepted and in the last game of the week, Lara overcame a piece deficit to beat Penas and stays in contention for the title.

The tournament will end on Oct. 31,  2007 and the top 5 players will win the cash, trophy and medals even if they haven't finished playing their remaining games.

STANDINGS OF PLAYERS AND THEIR WIN-LOSS-DRAW RECORD AND THEIR REMAINING GAMES:
     1. Roberto Hernandez (20-4-1: 11 games) 2. Jaime Guevarra (15-4-3 :  14 games) 3. Nino Flores (15-4-0:  17 games) 4. Zaldy Ranopa (14-3-2:  17 games) 5. Arnel Pama (14-10-2:  10 games) 6. Laurence Abuton (13-9-2:  12 games) 7. Robert Tubice (12-9-2:  13 games)   8. Dennis Lara (12-4-0:  20 games) 9. Paul Garcia (11-6-0:  19 games) 10. Paquito Suringa, Jr. (11-17-0:  8 games) 11. Abe Francisco (9-6-2: 19 games) 12. Tony Penas (8-11-0: 17 games) 13. Erick Ventinilla (7-13-1:  15 games)
14. Excalibur (5-9-3:  19 games) 15. Manny Dulay (5-20-0:  11 games) 16. Ivan II (3-11-2:  20 games) 17. Randy Sioson (3-15-0:  18 games)  18. Arnold Rivera  (1-5-0:30 games)19. Zuenie Mirabueno (0-18-0:18 games)

Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
           Tia Belau Newspaper
           Page 13
           Volume 17
          October 19-25, 2007  

   


  

(524) PAX WINS 3 OF LAST 4 GAMES (TBN-Oct. 12-18, 2007)

IT WAS the most hectic week of the Palau Royal Resort rating chess tournament that 27 games were played with Paquito 'Pax' Suringa, Jr. on a winning surge and even almost upsetting the 2 frontrunners.

He upset Paul Garcia by employing the same tactic that Garcia used in trouncing current 2nd placer Nino Flores.

Pax have been patient all game long and outlasted Garcia in a marathon 70 moves of Giocco Piano. He followed it up with a 52 moves error-filled French Defence game with Arnold Rivera where the latter captured with the wrong piece that will give him the advantage of a queen.

He became overconfident with his game against Zaldy Ranopa with overwhelming material and positional advantage and lost instead to snap a rare two-game winning streak.

He clobbered Erick Ventinilla in 34 moves of King's Pawn Opening in the middle of his 10-day annual leave that gives him fresh mind and more concentration to the game.

OTHER RESULTS OF LAST WEEK'S GAMES:
     Flores upended Arnel Pama in 38 moves of Bishop Opening; Ranopa drubbed Ventinilla in 37 moves of Danish Gambit where he also won over Manny Dulay in 46 moves of another Bishop Opening; Ventinilla and Flores nipped Randy Sioson in 45 moves of Ruy Lopez and in 22 moves of Bishop Opening respectively; the ever-improving Dulay outwitted Suringa in 45 moves of yet another Bishop Opening, the most widely used defence in this tourney at 7 times this week; Laurence Abuton took the measure of Sioson in 37 moves of Petroff Defence.

     Top seed Roberto Hernandez played 3 games at a time and defeated them all with Dulay blundering in the middle game where he should have captured Hernandez' queen with his knight plus a check that would have given him an enormous advantage. He lost instead in 32 moves of Sicilian Defence (Alapin Variation).

     Abuton lost in just 20 moves of King' Gambit Accepted while Ventinilla left his bishop undefended and lost in 51 moves of another Sicilian Defence.

     Ranopa couldn't sustain his advantage and accepted the draw with Abraham 'Abe' Francisco in 49 moves of Bishop Opening; Dennis Lara scored a point over Paxin 61 moves of Nimzo-Indian Defence (Classical Variation); Flores overcame a blunder of his own and beat Pax in 28 moves of Bishop Opening; Pax bounced back from defeat and demolished Sioson in 30 moves of King's Pawn Opening; Pama overlooked a neat rook sacrifice of Abuton to draw by stalemate in 43 moves of Two Knights Defence; 

     Pama touted Dulay in 38 moves of another King's Pawn Opening; Garcia made short work on Dulay to win in just 15 moves of Sicilian Defence and snapped Flores' 11-game winning streak with a victory in 36 moves of Bishop Opening; Abuton outlasted Dulay in 43 moves of Scotch Four Knights Defence but lost to Robert "Tube Ice" Tubice.

     Hernandez seized the lead again after conquering Ivan II "The Conqueror" Chess Computer in 39 moves of Benko Gambit and Pama toppled Ventinilla in the last game of the week in 26 moves of Reti Opening.

     The champion of this tourney will receive a trophy and $50.00 from Mr. Allan Tuppil, the Food and Beverage Manager of PRR. 

     The 2nd and 3rd placer will get $30.00 and $20.00 respectively while the 4th and 5th placer will get a medal each.

STANDINGS OF PLAYERS AND THEIR WIN-LOSS-DRAW SLATE:
     1. Roberto Hernandez (17-2-0) 2. Nino Flores (15-3-0) 3. Laurence Abuton (13-8-2) 4. Zaldy Ranopa (12-3-2) 5. Arnel Pama (12-9-1) 6. Jaime Guevarra (10-4-3) 7. Dennis Lara (11-4-0) 8. Robert Tubice (10-8-2) 9. Abe Francisco (9-5-2) 10. Paul Garcia (9-5-0) 11. Paquito Suringa, Jr. (9-14-0) 12. Tony Penas (8-6-0) 13. Erick Ventinilla (6-13-1) 14. Excalibur (5-9-1) 15. Manny Dulay (5-18-0) 16. Ivan II (3-10-0) 17. Randy Sioson (3-15-0) 18. Arnold Rivera (1-3-0) 19. Zuenie Mirabueno (0-18-0).

Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
           Tia Belau Newspaper
           Page 13
           Volume 17
           October 12-18, 2007     
        

Paquito Suringa, Jr., right, receiving his certificate of appreciation for participating in the 2012 Palau National Chess Championship from Secretary/Treasurer of Palau Chess Federation Roberto Hernandez. Paquito improved a lot since joining his first tournament in Palau--the PRR Rating Chess Tournament in July-Oct. 2007. He was Palau's no. 4 chess player in 2011 and currently no. 6 this year.
                                                                  (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

(502) GAME OF THE WEEK: ERICK'S REVENGE (TBN-Aug. 24-30, 2007)

WITH the white pieces, Erick Ventinilla lost a very tightly contested match against Laurence Abuton two weeks ago where he missed a much better offensive move than the unsound sacrifice that cost him that game.

He asked for a 2nd round bout with Abuton, who politely declined the rematch on the same day.

This week, the rematch was set and the crowd anticipated a slam bang action between the 2 protagonists in the resumption of Palau Royal Resort rating chess tournament.

As expected, the game started slow with the players taking their time each move but most of the time, Erick forgets to press his time clock.

A notion from the crowd suggested that Erick must be tapped hard to the head the next time he forgets to press the chess clock.

When he missed to press the clock again, top seed Roberto Hernandez hit him hard to the head and sicne then, Erick played brilliantly and scored a much needed ego-boosting victory as most of his losses were dropped with him ahead in material and positional advantage.

The last 2 moves put the crowd at the edge of their seat as Erick is about to move his c pawn instead of a mate in 2 moves. He found it and a b2+ move ended the game.

With the victory, Erick moved from 11th place to 7th and tied Abraham 'Abe' Francisco and Abuton in the standings.

Ka Abe drubbed Paquito 'Pax' Suringa, Jr. in 46 moves of French Defence and Manny Dulay in a shorter 25-mover Bishop Opening Game.

If he will win his rematch game against Ivan II Chess Computer, he will be one of two players with the least loss (one game) as most of the players lost 2 games or more.

The other player is Zaldy Ranopa, who was idle for the week and remained at 3-1-1 win-loss-draw slate.

Arnel Pama, the elected Chairman of King Royal Chess Club of Palau Royal Resort (PRR), offered 2 pawns in the endgame to obtain bewildering attack against the tough chess computer Ivan II.

With 3 unopposed kingside pawns, Pama stormed the kingside and sacrificed another pawn that clinched the game in 58 moves of Four Knights Defence.

In the only other completed game of the week, Nino Flores outclassed Randy Sioson in 30 moves of another Bishop Opening.

Most players enjoyed the payday weekend somewhere else.

With Flores having a 5-day annual leave, he is expected to play as many games as he can to catch up with the lone lady participant Zuenie Mirabueno.

She played only 2 games so far. She is ready to play on Sunday night but no players are available at the time.

Source:
Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Page 13
Volume 17
August 24-30, 2007

(501) FLORES, RANOPA END HERNANDEZ' 9-GAME WIN STREAK (

TWO tough players from Maintenance Department of Palau Royal Resort dealt top seed Roberto Hernandez his 1st and 2nd loss of the rating chess tournament held at PRR Dormitory 1 on Wednesday, August 08.

Nino Flores outwitted Hernandez in less than 40 moves of Danish Gambit where the former declined the 2 pawns offered to counter Hernandez' pet defence.

With exposed king due to premature advance of his kingside pawns, Hernandez allowed the penetration of two rooks, knight and queen the forces him to give up his queen for a rook.

After losing his first game, he subdued a stingy defence from Manny Dulay and prevailed. He concentrated on his 3rd simultaneous game against Zaldy Ranopa, who obtained a passed b pawn.

A mistake sequence of moves cost Hernandez a drawn game to his 2nd loss in 45 moves of another Danish Gambit.

It made the standings more interesting with 13 players still has a chance to be the champion.

In other completed games within the week, Tony Penas, another Maintenance crew, nipped Erick Ventinilla of Giocco Piano Opening.

Abraham 'Abe' Francisco drew with Robert Tubice in 45 moves of King's Pawn Opening.

First round leader Jaime Guevarra clobbered Penas in 52 moves of Center Counter.

Abe trounced Excalibur Chess Computer in 47 moves of Caro-Kahn Defence.

Erstwhile leader Arnel Pama blundered on the 32nd move with a piece advantage and lost to Ranopa in 34 moves of Reti Opening.

Erick Ventinilla lost another heartbreaker to Laurence Abuton in 41 moves of Danish Gambit, where a dubious exchange sacrifice of Erick cost him his other rook and the game.

STANDINGS OF PLAYERS AND THEIR WIN-LOSS-DRAW RECORD:
1. Roberto Hernandez (10-2-0) 2. Dennis Lara (7-2-0) 3. Arnel Pama (7-5-0) 4. Jaime Guevarra (5-3-3) 5. Robert Tubice (5-3-2) 6. Paul Garcia (5-3-0) 7. Abe Francisco (4-2-1) 8. Laurence Abuton (4-3-1) 9. Nino Flores (4-2-0) 10. Zaldy Ranopa (3-1-1) 11. Erick Ventinilla (3-7-1) 12. Tony Penas (3-2-0) 13. Manny Dulay (2-6-0) 14. Paquito Suringa, Jr. (2-7-0) 15. Excalibur (1-5-1) 16. Ivan II (1-3-0) 17. Randy Sioson (1-7-0) 18. Zuenie Mirabueno (0-2-0).

Source:
Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Page 13
Volume 17
August 17-23, 2007

(496) GUEVARRA LEADS PRR CHESS TILT (TBN-July 27-Aug. 02, 2007)

IN HIS first ever competitive chess participation, Jaime Guevarra, who works at Pastry Division of Palau Royal Resort, scored a string of 3 victories to be the early leader of PRR Rating Chess tournament held at Dormitory 1 on Sunday and Monday evening.

Guevarra clobbered Arnel Pama in 44 moves of Four Knights Defence with the white pieces.

It took him 4 moves shorter in trouncing Paquito Suringa, Jr., a cook, in 40 moves of King's Pawn Opening.

Then he drubbed Robert Tubice of Maintenance Department, in a marathon 93 moves of another King's Pawn Opening.

New employee Dennis Lara started also win 2 straight wins but was upset by Tubice on Sunday night as he overlooked a neat knight sacrifice of Tubice to win his queen and managed to hold on to his advantage till the endgame.

Lara whipped Paul Garcia in 40 moves of Ruy Lopez where Garcia made a dubious defensive move that cramped his king and other major pieces.

Lara then nipped Erick Ventinilla in just 22 moves when the latter blundered away his queen on the 19th move of Sicilian Defence.

Top seed Roberto Hernandez found a strong resistance from Excalibur Chess Computer but prevailed in 41 moves of another Sicilian Defence (Najdorf Variation).

He toppled the other machine, Ivan II Chess Computer, in 48 moves of Caro-Kahn Defence.

Laurence Abuton could not sustain his bewildering attack against Pama and lost the initiative when Pama combined the forces of his queen and bishop to force mate on the 49th move of Alekhine's Defence.

Senior player Abraham 'Abe' Francisco didn't play a single game and he wants to play 3 games in one day on his day off (Tuesday).

He and Pama are the candidates to be the Chairman of a club to be founded during the tournament where a name of the club will also be selected among:
1. Castle King Chess Club of PRR
2. Checkmate Chess Club of PRR
3. King of Knights Chess Club of PRR
4. The Rookies of Royal Chess Club (RRCC)
5. Addicted to Chess Club and
6. King of Kings Chess Club of PRR

Mr. Allan Tuppil, the Food and Beverage Manager of PRR, announced that the champion of the event will receive a trophy and the 2 runners-up will get medal that he will sponsor together with $100.00 cash prize.

Nino Flores, Zaldy Ranopa, Tony Penas, Randy Sioson and Darwin Nisperos are the other players who haven't played yet.

Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Page 13
Volume 17
July 27-August 02, 2007

(494) PRR RATING CHESS TOURNEY (TBN-June 29-July 05, 2007)

WITH lots of chess talents to be discovered from Palau Royal Resort's employees, the chairman of Knights and Rooks Chess Club Roberto Hernandez will organize a rating chess tournament that is open only to PRR chess enthusiasts and afficionados.

Trainings and practices are going on everyday and with a new found interest in the game, players are now improving rapidly with Nino Flores, Eric Ventinilla and Paul Garcia already beaten Roberto in practice games.

The likes of Arnel Pama, Jaime Guevarra and Zaldy Ranopa of Maintenance Department are catching up with better plays with the help of Hernandez and Ivan II Chess Computer, who will also participate in the tourney to give first timers of competitive chess a chance to improve their initial rating of 1500.

Senior player Abraham 'Abe' Francisco started practicing with others to regain his top form. He hasn't been playing chess for a long time and has been rusty for being inactive.

He can be one of the favorite to land in the top 3 while bartender Darwin Nisperos confirmed his participation through Hernandez, who will be the top seed with an estimated national rating of 2056.

Many more interested players are starting to be intrigued to the game as it is their chance to test their mettle against fellow newcomers to tournament play.

Chess clocks are being provided in their practice games.

To familiarize the players in annotating their games, Hernandez held a simutaneous chess match against Pama, Guevarra and Ventinilla.

He defeated Pama in 23 moves,Guevarra in more than 40 moves but surprisingly lost to Erick when he blundered away a rook in the middle game.

Eric showed his ware in finishing touch as Hernandez didn't have a chance to equalize even with an exchange disadvantage.

The format of the tournament is double round-robin with another weaker computer, Excalibur, to join the field.

The time control is 90 minutes for each player to finish the game and touch move rules will be applied in playing against the computers and humans.

Game time is flexible depending on the availability of players. Most games will be played after work -- 11pm onwards.

Registration fee is $5.00 with half of it going to the champion and the other half is for fund of a chess club to be founded through election of officers in the duration of the tourney.

To be added to the chess club property are two chessboards to be donated by Delfin Maligalig, a new father cafeteria cook.

Source:
Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Page 13
Volume 17
June 29-July 05, 2007

(212) CYRIL MONTEL, JR.--CHAMPION AT LAST!!!

FIRST GAME AT PRR
Michael Mercado, left (sitting), played for the first time at new venue - Palau Royal Resort Dormitory 1 Lounge vs. Paquito 'Pax' Suringa, Jr. (sitting right). Watching the game are the regular participants of 2 previous Pax Cup Rapid Chess tournaments: L-R Ronel Gutierrez, Rey Alenain, Erick 'Goma' Ventinilla, Roberto Hernandez,Joel Gabris, Elizalde Madrinan, inaurgural Pax Cup champ Ferdie Altea and Randy 'Buhawi' Sioson.
                                                                                            (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)



CYRIL MONTEL, JR.-CHAMPION AT LAST!!!

HE PARTICIPATED in all but one major chess tournaments in Palau since September 2002 and won numerous runner-up finishes but never been a champion.

His time has come and he wrote a new chapter in Palau chess history--being a champion undefeated.

He swept the opposition like a storm in all of his games at the 2009-2010 Palau National Chess Championship.

His match against Palau's top player Menandro Manuel on Saturday, January 23, showed a sign of playing with maturity as he sacrificed his queen on the 29th move, recovered it with interest (a pawn and a bishop) two moves later and prevailed over Manuel in 38 moves of Sicilian Defence.

He virtually clinched the title when his closest rival and co-employee Bernard Garcia succumbed to pressure against Manuel with a whole piece advantage. The disadvantage was offset when Garcia's king was not able to castle to safety and was exposed in the middle of the board.

He resigned on the 35th move of Slav Defence. The loss somehow affected his play and lost his last 3 games on Sunday, Jan. 24 to Paquito 'Pax' Suringa, Jr., Cyril and Craig Dittrich.

He was overtaken by 4th seed Roberto Hernandez at the final 3rd place finish.

Cyril completed his undefeated run by scoring his 11th point over another Manuel -- Manuel 'Jun' Mahor, Jr.

In the other completed matches in the last day of the tourney, Elpidio Manaligod drew with Michael Mercado and another drawn game between Pax and Craig. Menandro scored his 8th point over Mercado.

FINAL STANDINGS OF PLAYERS AND THEIR WIN-LOSS-DRAW RECORD: 1. Cyril Montel, Jr. (11-0-0) 11 pts. 2. Menandro Manuel (8-2-0) 8 pts. 3. Roberto Hernandez (7-3-0) 7 pts. 4. Bernard Garcia (6-5-0) 6 pts. 5. Michael Mercado (4-3-2) 5 pts. 6. Manuel Mahor (4-5-1) 4.5 pts. 7. Romeo Caballes (3-4-2) 4 pts. 8. Paquito Suringa, Jr. (3-6-1) 3.5 pts. 9. Elpidio Manaligod (2-5-3) 3.5 pts. 10. Masum Billah (3-8-0) 3 pts. 11. Gene Pastrana (2-7-2) 3 pts. 12. Craig Dittrich (2-6-1) 2.5 pts.

With his win, Cyril will now represent Palau in Asian Chess Championship at Subic Bay Philippines this year as Pastrana is not interested to go there even with the free airfare from Gary Bekker.

Pastrana offered that trip to Dittrich but he is also not interested.

If the trophies are ready, the awarding ceremony will be held next Sunday at Palau Royal Resort Dormitory 1.

Palau Pacific Resort's General Manager Sho Suzuki has given to Hernandez the 2 gift certificate of Sunday Brunch for 2 at the Coconut Terrace of PPR.

Cash prizes will be $30.00 to the champion (Montel), $20.00 to the 1st runner-up (Menandro Manuel), and $10.00 to 2nd runner-up (Hernandez) courtesy of PALIBHASA group of macho men--Bobby Pineda, Ogie Pineda and Jun dela Cruz.

Trophies sponsors are Bhoey Gopez of Island Logistics, Lucio Bandibas of WCTC and Ed Martinez of Print Zone.

In the consolation round of the finals, Tito Cabunagan is 2 wins away from another undefeated champion of Class B. He clobbered Jaime Guevarra in 55 moves of Pirc Defence while Joel Flor toppled Gonzalo 'Jojo' Escapatoria in 38 moves of Bishop Opening and nipped Mohammad Manik Hossain later in the afternoon in 26 moves of Giocco Piano at Dormitory 1 of Palau Royal Resort.

The Edgar Cayanan Cup also started on a very busy Saturday with Hossain sweeping Miguel Gancayco but was swept in return by Guevarra. He split 2 games with Masum Billah and outwitted Rey Alenain.

Fourth seed Roberto Hernandez got an email from Ric Ambatali, his chess buddy in Brisbane, Australia, who commented about Gene Pastrana's withdrawal that says:

"Dear all, it's really sad to know what's happening in Palau chess. If they don't have "Chess Sportsmanship" , they should not join because other law-abiding chess players have been affected. Gene's action is shameful. With his long experience playing in chess tournaments, he didn't learn yet to act with sportsmanlike conduct. The painful part is that others have been affected by his actions.
Your decision is right. You have given him a copy of the FIDE Laws of Chess which is very clear to understand. One thing more, it's not your obligation to give him a copy of FIDE Laws of Chess. It's his obligation to himself as a veteran chess player. The fact that you have given him a copy and he does not like to abide to it, it's useless to proceed. For me, you have done the right thing.
You have to abide to the FIDE Laws of Chess. Otherwise, who is Gene to alter the FIDE Laws of Chess? Or to make his own new by-laws? Is he crazy? It's really shameful.
Regarding to his withdrawal, you ask Gary Bekker about what kind of penalty should be imposed to him for not abiding or following the rules and regulations of FIDE Laws of Chess and to give him a lesson. He must be given a penalty for doing such a bad thing. Otherwise, it will be a precedent to others to do what he did. You must, I have said, give him some sort of penalty so that other chess players will not do the same.
Also, regarding about your chess funds, he must give it back because it's not his money. As early as possible, he should return it and what he did is really shameful.
Anyway, good luck again. Regards, Ric


Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Pages 13 & 15
Volume 19 Issue 04
January 25-31, 2010

(181) LOW TURNOUT ON OPENING DAY

CHESS NEOPHYTE GOT HIS BAPTISM OF FIRE
Jeffrey Negrillo, left, played his first tournament game in Palau on Nov. 17 against Mohammad Manik Hossain, 2nd from right. Jeff got his baptism of fire and lost in 42 moves of King's Pawn Opening. Before their game, Manik practiced with George Gabris, right, while macho man Erick Ventinilla poses and watched the game in the sideline. Next Wednesday, Ferdie Altea will play Manik in the dashing game of wits.
                                                                            (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

DUE TO Manny Pacquiao - Antonio Margarito boxing bout on Sunday, Nov. 14, a very low turnout of players participated on the opening of 2010-2011 Palau National Chess Championship.

Some newcomers have come to Beken's Store and General Merchandise as early as 10 am.

The one-sided fight ended with Pacquiao winning by unanimous decision and ended at about 2:30 pm (Palau time).

After attending the 4th Watchers service at Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ (4th Watch), Roberto Hernandez waited for players at Beken's Store.

While setting the chess table, Mohammad Manik Hossain came and they practiced one rapid chess game.

They draw the number of players before playing their official game at 4:00 pm.

THE FOLLOWING IS THE NUMBERING OF PLAYERS: 1. Dennis Gonzales 2. Bernardo Garcia 3. Mohammad Manik Hossain (he drew his own name), 4. Roberto Hernandez (strangely, he drew his own name also), 5. Menandro Manuel 6. Jeffrey Negrillo 7. Andres Mestizo II 8. Tito Cabunagan 9. Elizlade Madrinan 10. Ferdi Altea 11. Jose Misael de Jesus 12. Masum Billah 13. Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. 14. Amante Caballero and 15. Manuel Mahor, Jr.

Elpidio Manaligod, Mario Ramos and Romeo Caballes were not included in the list of 15 players because they cannot be contacted through their telephone numbers.

Caballes' return to Palau return to Palau is not yet certain but he will difinitely be accepted as late comer.

The two invited Palauans will miss this edition of PNCC due to schedule conflict of Tutii Joe Chilton and health reason for Flavin Andres.

Before their practice and official game, Hernandez borrowed 6 chairs from PMCC and set up another chess table in case some players will come to play.

In their official game, Manik blundered away a bishop on the 18th move and Hernandez prevailed in 31 moves of Sicilian Defence.

No other players came until 6:30 pm and the two call it a night as Manik has to work at 7:00 pm at Airai KB Shell Gas Station.

Roberto and Manik have the same day off (Wednesday) and they set up a match at Palau Royal Resort Dormitory 1 on Wed. Nov. 17 at 7pm. Manik will play Jeffrey Negrillo, who's been to Palau for just 2 months.

Manik practices with Hernandez, George Gabris and to the new security personnel of PRR. Hernandez offered to train him for a possible slot to Palau Chess Team at 2012 World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey.

Hernandez has all the materials to train a player like chess clocks, chess software, books, puzzles, Laws of Chess, ChessBase9 (where over 4 million games since year 1600 can be studied) and free time.

During their game, Jeffrey experienced for the first time to write his moves in Algebraic notation. He committed consecutive blunders on move 27th and 29th and was mated by a bishop on the 42nd move.

Before their game, Manik and Hernandez have started talks about saving once a month $50.00 for buying their own airfare for the Istanbul, Turkey World Chess Olympiad.

There is no election of president of World Chess Federation in 2012 and it will be hard to find airfare sponsor in a non-election Olympiad.

While talking about that, an email from Mr. Gary Bekker, former Oceania Zone President and the sponsor of Hernandez' airfare to Australia last year, noted his response to Hernandez' email: "Hi Gary, it's been a while since I have communication with you. Me and Tito Cabunagan are trying to go to New Zealand for 2011 Oceania Zonal Chess Championship. Brian Jones and Paul Spiller are trying to get me an airfare subsidy like you gave me last year. Could you please advise them on how you were able to get it? It is the only way that I could go there. If I will have to spend for the whole airfare, I cannot make it. I thought that you will come to 2010 World Chess Olympiad in Russia. I will forward to you the questionnaire sent to me by FIDE and Geoffrey Borg. In this way, you will know Palau and me better. I hope you're doing fine. Best regards, Roberto."

Mr. Bekker's response is good news: "Hi Roberto. Thank you for your email. I subsidized your airfare with my own personal money. Hopefully Brian and Paul will be able to find a corporate sponsor or arrange a discount with the airlines to assist you with your travel costs this time. Unfortunately, I have been extremely busy with my IT work and was unable to go to the 2010 Olympiad and sadly, will be unable to attend the 2011 Oceania Zonal either. Thank you for keeping in touch and for sending me the Palau questionnaire to keep updated on chess developments in Palau. All the best wishes for you, Tito and all of the Palau players. Gary Bekker."

Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez

Tia Belau Newspaper

Pages 12-13

Volume 19

Issue 47

November 22-28, 2010