(545) SPECIAL GAMES (TBN-August 12, 2013)

A

FIRST GAME OF 2013 PNCC
     16-year-old Ronald Mission, left, and 9-year-old Destiny Sisior played the first game of 2013 Palau National Chess Championship on Aug. 04 with Destiny winning in the junior division (16 years and below). She won again over her elder sister Angelil and another 16-year-old Geaury Ken Pastrana in the 2nd week of PNCC.
                                                (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)


           S P E C I A L     G A M E S

DUE TO conflicting schedules of 41 participants of the 2013 Palau National Chess Championship, some special games are accommodated like the Saturday afternoon match between the reserve division’s Mohammad Manik Hossain vs. Eugene Labarda. The latter won in 28 moves of Pirc Defence.

                They played at Bethlehem Park at 3:00 pm with Roberto Hernandez setting the chessboard, clock, score sheets and pens. While they are playing, Baby Edna Mission aka Bheng Codinera Mendoza and Jeff Balbalosa practice by the book chess openings like Ruy Lopez (Open Defence), Giocco Piano, Two Knights Defence and the dreaded Danish Gambit.

                Mission is practicing for a possible match-up against 2^nd seed Gladys Paloma with the white pieces tomorrow starting now at 1pm so that players who would like to catch up can do so.

Mission lost her first game last week to newly crowned Woman National Master Angie Parrado.

                The unpublished result of Dennis Gonzales vs. CM Bernardo Garcia was a win by Garcia in 37 moves of Queen’s Gambit Declined. Their game lasted till past 6pm and it’s already getting dark but the crowd appreciated the quality of game among the 2 protagonists.

                Jeff Balbalosa extracted a full point from Nilo de Jesus in another 37 moves of Queen’s Pawn Opening. They finished their game earlier than the Gonzales-Garcia match.

                The last game of the opening day was between Geaury Ken Pastrana and Angelil Sisior. Many basketball fans and players, who watch the Game 1 Finals of Western Union vs. FR Spoilers also watch chess games as many basketball players like de Jesus, Gonzales Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr., Alfredo Pacenos, Jr., Jon Manuel Reyes and Paquito Suringa, Jr. are also chess players.

                Montel, Jr., Jose Celiz  and Hernandez didn’t play a game last week. They are expected to play 2 games maximum. Suringa, Jr. is coming back from vacation on Tuesday, Aug. 13 and he is requesting the players in the Top 12 division to play him on different days because his available time is only an hour during Sunday.

                Some players who are expected to play on the 2^nd week are Cyrelle Ann Montel in the Junior division, newcomer Fernan John Velarde of Palau Royal Resort, Eugenio Pastrana, Rafael Paloma, Jaime dela Cruz, John Joseph Pabiona, Glen Navarosa, who will replace Herbert Galiza because of his too much work even on Sundays, Sib Reyes, Remrel Dizon, Rustum Cabuso, Gladys Paloma and Paz Ngiratechekii.

                Elpidio Manaligod has withdrawn from the reserves division. He paid his registration fee of $5.00 for the 2013 Palau Blitz Chess Championship.
                Fernan John Velarde played his first tournament game in Palau against Eugene Labarda and was mated on the 34th move of Queen's Pawn Opening. Destiny Sisior scored her 2nd straight victory by outwitting her elder sister Angelil in 36 moves of Four Knights Defence.

                National Master Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. drubbed his fellow NM Tito Cabunagan in 41 moves of Caro-Kahn Defence. Jose Celiz clobbered Eugenio Pastrana in 32 moves of Queen's Gambit Declined.

                CM Bernardo Garcia was ahead in position and material but he allowed Jeffrey Balbalosa to draw by 3-move repetition after 48 moves of English Opening.

                Destiny became the first player to score 3 straight victories by clobbering Geaury Ken Pastrana in 29 moves of Queen's Pawn Opening.

                Velarde had an even day after trouncing Remrel Dizon in 30 moves of French Defence. And in the last game of the day, the top 2 of the women's division clashed with Woman  National Master Angelica Parrado took the measure of Gladys Anne Paloma in 24 moves of Sicilian Defence.

                Hernandez and Gonzales agreed to play next Sunday with the possible Hernandez-Suringa, Jr. match-up to take place within this week as Suringa is coming back to Palau on Aug. 13, 2013.
 

                TRIVIA:    Dennis Gonzales is always the first player to pay his registration fee on opening day from 2009-2013. It took 2 years for one player to pay his due of $20.00. And the worst, there is one player who paid only once ($10.00) in 2005 and didn’t pay the rest yet up to 2013.

                THE WORLD CHESS FEDERATION (FIDE) HAS PUBLISHED THE INTERNATIONAL RATINGS OF PALAU CHESS PLAYERS IN STANDARD, RAPID AND BLITZ AS FOLLOWS:

1.       Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. (std. 1914) (Rapid 1920) (Blitz 1786)  2. Roberto Hernandez (1850, 1852, 1776)  3. Tito Cabunagan (1848, 1883, 1813)  4. Jose Celiz (1791, 1715, 1835)  5. Paquito Suringa, Jr. (1717, 1763, 1625)  6. Dennis Gonzales (1671, 1700, 1671)  7. Jeffrey Balbalosa (1612, 1615, 1655)  8. Nilo de Jesus (1520, 1497, 1615)  9. Mohammad Manik Hossain (1489, 1595, 1558)  10. Elpidio Manaligod (1456, 1442, 1591)  11. Remrel Dizon (0000, 1541, 1596)  12. Eugene Labarda (0000, 1448, 1641)  13. John Joseph Pabiona (0000, 0000, 1616)  14. Alfredo Pacenos, Jr. (0000, 0000, 1703)   14. Rustum Cabuso (1674-Blitz).

       The tentative date of 2013 Palau Invitational Chess Championship is Nov. 25-Dec. 01, 2013. If things go smooth, Palau’s Delegate to 3 consecutive World Chess Olympiads Mr. Jan Berglund will be coming to Palau in November – December 2013.

                He volunteered to be the International Arbiter (IA) of the 4^th PICC and Roberto Hernandez, CM  Bernardo Garcia and Dennis Gonzales will be the Deputy Arbiters. Mr. Berglund is also an IO (International Organizer) and recently got his FIDE Trainer Title in 2012 Istanbul World Chess Olympiad.

                Because he is not listed to any federation, he can be one of the invited players of the PICC. Palau will invite 2 from Philippines (Rudy Ibanez and Dr. Alfredo Paez), one from Papua New Guinea (Joselito Marcos) and one from Guam (Leon Ryan).

                There is also a possibility that Mr. Berglund’s Filipina wife, Visitacion Rave, will join the women’s division of the ongoing PNCC via Skype to replace Leizl Michael, who is migrating to Australia. Another replacement for Leizl is a Palauan lady, Rowena Ngiralmau, who is interested to join.

                Solution to last week’s puzzle: Rxg7+! Kxg7 2. Qg4+ Kh8 3. Nxf7 mate.

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



Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
             Tia Belau Newspaper
             Pages 9 & 11
             Volume 22
             Issue 64
             August 12, 2013 

(460) GLADYS COMMITS TO 2014 OLYMPIAD IN NORWAY (TBN-May 06, 2013)

TEAMMATES TO NORWAY 2014
Gladys Paloma, right, commits to be a member of Palau Women's team to 2014 World Chess Olympiad in Tromso, Norway. Her opponent here, Baby Edna Mission, is the first one to commit since last year. They split their match in the 2013 Rapid Chess tournament with Gladys winning the first one. (Photo By Roberto Hernandez)




          GLADYS COMMITS TO 2014
             OLYMPIAD IN NORWAY

THE Paloma couple, Rafael and Gladys had dinner at Waves Restaurant of Palau Royal Resort on Monday, April 29, 2013 together with their 2 sons.

Roberto Hernandez had just sent them an email asking if Gladys is interested to be in the Palau Women’s team to 2014 World Chess Olympiad in Tromso, Norway on August 01-14, 2014.

Before starting to play piano, Roberto approached them and asked Rafael if he had received the email that Roberto sent just an hour ago. He didn’t so Roberto asked Gladys personally about the offered position.

Without hesitation and with approval from Rafael, Gladys commits to be on the team. Hernandez told him that the line-up of Palau women’s team if she will join will be as follows: Board 1 – Angie Parrado, Board 2 –Gladys Paloma, Board 3 – Baby Edna Mission, Board 4 – Joy Flores Whipps, Reserve (or Board 5)—Elizabeth Manuel and the team captain will be Lilibeth Cabunagan.

This is a solid line-up that Palau can form currently after the conclusion of 2013 Palau Rapid Chess tournament last April 28. The most inexperienced women players in the list are Elizabeth Manuel and Lilibeth Cabunagan. By putting Elizabeth as reserve, she will only be fielded if the playing day is Saturday so that Joy can rest on Sabbath day.

Lilibeth has just learned the basics of chess so by being the team captain, she don’t need to play except when in the actual start of the Olympiad, there are 2 women players that didn’t make it.

Paz Ngiratechekii is not included in the list because of her inability to improve her game. The women’s team needs players who will be an asset to the team and not a liability.

Roberto also asked all committed members of Palau chess team to Norway to start saving now at least $1,000.00 for airfare. The 2014 World Chess Olympiad is election year and Roberto might find some sponsors.

The Men’s team (Open) is already intact with Palau’s no. 1 chess player Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. at Board 1; Menandro Manuel or Roberto at Board 2; Candidate Master Bernardo Garcia at Board 3; Tito Cabunagan at Board 4 and Menandro or Roberto as reserve according to what will be agreed among the two.

Starting on June, 2013, Roberto’s job is only 4 hours a day (7:00 pm – 11:00 pm) so he can devote more time to chess and will be very ready to play to acquire a FIDE Master title or at least a Candidate Master title in the 2014 Olympiad.

Three players are also interested to join the Open team—Mohammad Manik Hossain, Jeff Balbalosa and Paquito Suringa, Jr. If Roberto will be the Head of Delegation, the reserve slot will be contested by the three via playoffs. Jeff and Manik were offered to be the team captain of women’s team but they intend to play.

When Gladys commits, the door for Jeff and Manik as team captain of women’s team is not possible now. There’s still complication to Roberto being the Head of Delegation. That position was offered last year to Senator Mlib Tmechtul and if Senator Mlib is available to come on August 01-14, 2014, then another door will be closed to Jeff, Manik and Paquito – the reserve slot.

The battle for 3^rd place in the recently concluded 2013 Rapid Chess tournament was played on April 28 after the climactic final game of Tito vs. Roberto. Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. defeated Paquito Suringa, Jr. to earn the 3^rdplace plum.

Roberto requested Jaime dela Cruz to make an additional 2 more trophies for Cyril and Paquito. The awarding of trophies will be held at the opening of blitz chess tournament on June 02-30, 2013.

Interested players who would like to join in the blitz chess tourney every Sunday at Bethlehem Park are requested to confirm their participation to Roberto at tel. no. 488-2000 ext. 114 or mobile no. 778-5392.

The diploma of Bernardo Garcia that confirmed him as a FIDE Candidate Master has arrived at P. O. Box 1662 from Greece. It states: “By this diploma I confirm that Bernardo Garcia Palau has obtained the title of FIDE Candidate Master in the year 2012” Signed by Kirsan Ilyumzhinov (President, World Chess Federation).

Together with the diploma are the 3 National Arbiter License for Roberto Hernandez, Dennis Gonzales and Bernardo Garcia. They will be the official National Arbiters of Palau to officiate at every chess tournament to be held in Palau.

Solution to last week’s puzzle: 1.

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

Source:
Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez

Tia Belau Newspaper

Volume 22

Pages 9-10

Issue 36

May 06, 2013

(440) PASTRANA IS ACTIVE AGAIN (TBN-April 15, 2013)

REMREL VS. GENE
Neophyte chess player Remrel Dizon, left, is featured for the first time for his first win against a rated player Eugenio "Gene" Pastrana. In the background are Tito Cabunagan practicing with Dennis Gonzales while Baby Edna Mission and Gladys Paloma are playing their 1st official game with Lilibeth Cabunagan watching. (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)



     PASTRANA IS ACTIVE AGAIN

After more than 2 years of inactivity, Eugenio ‘Gene’ Pastrana is active again and joined on the last 3 weeks of 2013 Rapid Chess Tournament held every Sunday at Tito and Lilibeth Cabunagan’s residence in Malakal.

In his first official game, where he was accommodated in Group B, he outwitted Dennis Gonzales with the black pieces but bowed to Tito.

In his last game of the day, he lost his queen and the game to Remrel Dizon. He’s got a draw with Eric Ksau Whipps, Jaime dela Cruz and Jose Celiz. He was given a win against Nilo de Jesus, Jon Manuel Reyes and Eugene Labarda to get a chance to make it to semifinals if he will win both of his remaining games against Mohammad Manik Hossain and top seed Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr.

A loss, especially to Manik, will boot him out of semifinal race that included Tito, Dennis and Cyril. The top finishers in Group A and B will have a semifinal of No. 1 vs. No. 4 and No. 2 vs. No. 3.

In Group A, Paquito Suringa, Jr. became no. 1 after he clobbered 2^ndseed Roberto Hernandez last week. Both of them finished their group with identical 11-1-0 win-loss-draw slate.

The last game between Rafael Paloma and Jeffrey Balbalosa will determine the numbering of the two players. If Paloma will win, he will face Hernandez while if he will lose, he will face Suringa, Jr.

The women’s division has been finalized when Baby Edna Mission and Gladys Paloma split their 2 games with Gladys winning the first game convincingly. After Mission has settled down from nervousness, she trounced Gladys in the last game of the day, Sunday April 07.

FINAL STANDINGS OF WOMEN’S DIVISION AND THEIR WIN-LOSS-DRAW RECORD:

Champion –Angelica “Angie”Parrado (11-2-1) 11.5 pts. 2^ndplace—Gladys Paloma (8-1-5) 10.5 pts. 3^rdplace – Baby Edna Mission (8-3-3) 9.5 pts. 4^th place – Joy Flores Whipps (2-3-9) 6.5 pts. 5^th place – Ma. Florida Hernandez (3-4-7) 6.5 pts. 6^th place –Lilibeth Cabunagan (1-7-6) 4 pts. 7^thplace – Leizl Michael (1-7-6) 4 pts. 8^thplace – Paz Ngiratechekii (1-8-5) 3.5 pts.

Wooden trophies will be given to Parrado (Queen-shaped), Paloma (Bishop-shaped) and Mission (Knight-shaped) to be made and designed by James dela Cruz.

FINAL STANDINGS OF JUNIOR DIVISION:

Champion – Cyrelle Ann Montel (4-0-6) 7 pts. 2^nd place –Ksau Anthony Whipps (3-2-5) 5.5 pts. 3^rdplace—George Anzawa (4-3-3) 5.5 pts. 4^thplace – Destiny Sisior (3-5-2) 4 pts. 5^thplace – Angelil Sisior (3-5-2) 6^thplace – Zachary Techall Whipps (2-4-4) 4 pts.

Wooden trophies will be given to Cyrelle (Bishop-shaped), Ksau (Knight-shaped) and George (Pawn-shaped) made and designed also by James dela Cruz.

Solution to last week’s puzzle: 1. Qe7!! Qc7 2. Qf8+! Rxf8 3. Rxf8 mate.

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

Source:
Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez

Tia Belau Newspaper

Pages 9 & 11

Volume 22

Issue 30

April 15, 2013

(439) PHOTOS (Last 3 weeks of 2013 Rapid Chess tournament)

Gene Pastrana, left, outsmarted Dennis Gonzales while Olympiad bound couple Tito and Lilibeth Cabunagan watch the first game of Gene since 2010 PNCC.

(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

Tito Cabunagan, right, spoiled the 2nd comebacking game of Gene with a win, his 9th straight.

(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

2nd seed of Group A Paquito Suringa, Jr., right, dealt top seed Roberto Hernandez his first loss of the 2013 Rapid Chess tournament on April 07, 2013.

(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

10th straight wins for Tito Cabunagan and the first semifinalist in Group B. His game with co-employee Jose Celiz was declared a draw as Celiz is still on vacation.

(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

Baby Edna Mission, left, and Gladys Paloma split their 2 games to finish the tournament with Mission at 3rd spot and Paloma as 1st runner-up to Angie Parrado.

(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

Last game of the day -Dizon vs. Pastrana. --1-0. Gene said he lost his queen and the game. He still has a mathematical chance to make the semifinal if he will beat Mohammad Manik Hossain and top seed Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. in the last 2 weeks of the tilt.

(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

(416) ANGIE SWEPT BY GLADYS; BHENG SWEPT BY ANGIE (TBN-March 25, 2013)

CHANGING OF THE GUARDS?
Angie Parrado, left, has been Palau's top woman chess player for a while. When he was swept by Gladys Paloma, right, in the 3rd week of 2013 Palau Rapid Chess tournament, there might be a changing of the guards in Palau women's chess. (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)




        ANGIE SWEPT BY GLADYS;
        BHENG SWEPT BY ANGIE

IN SPITE of being swept by Gladys Paloma in the 3^rd week of 2013 Rapid Chess tournament, top women’s seed Angie Parrado still leads the tourney with a 3-2 win-loss slate after sweeping in return Baby Edna “Bheng” Mission in the 4^th week of the tilt.

Mission now has an even 2-2 card. Her 2 victories were from the 2 beginners –66-year-old Paz Ngiratechekii and Lilibeth Cabunagan.

No junior player arrived in the 3^rd and 4^th week except Cyrelle Ann Montel. He was taught by Roberto Hernandez some endgame fundamentals on how to win with a pawn and a king against a lone king.

The other 2 matches of the 4^th week are between Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. vs. Remrel Dizon and the exciting Tito Cabunagan vs. Dennis Gonzales match where the latter almost upset the Group B top seed had he promoted his h pawn.

Tito prevailed and scored his 5^th straight victory while Cyril easily subdued Dizon.

STANDINGS AFTER 4^TH WEEK OF 2013 RAPID CHESS TOURNAMENT AND THEIR WIN-LOSS-DRAW RECORD:

GROUP A—1. Roberto Hernandez (4-0-0) 2. Rafael Paloma (2-1-0) 3. Paquito Suringa, Jr. (2-1-0) 4. Jeff Balbalosa (2- 2-0) 5. Miguel Hilario, Jr. (1-2-0) 6. Glen Navarosa (0-5-0) 7. Michael Jordan Ngiratechekii

GROUP B – 1. Tito Cabunagan (5-0-0) 2. Mohammad Manik Hossain (3-1-1) 3. Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. (2-1-1) 4. Dennis Gonzales (1-1-0) 5. Jose Celiz (0-2-0) 6. Eugene Labarda (0-2-0) 7. Eric Ksau Whipps (0-2-0) 8. Remrel Dizon (0-2-0) 9. Jon Manuel Reyes (0-0-0).

WOMEN—1. Angie Parrado (3-2-0) 2. Gladyz Paloma (2-0-0) 3. Baby Edna Mission (2-2-0) 4. Joy Flores Whipps (1-0-0) 5. Paz Ngiratechekii (0-2-1) 6. Lilibeth Cabunagan (0-2-1) 7. Leizl Michael (0-0-0).

JUNIOR – 1. Cyrelle Ann Montel (2-0-0) 2. Ksau Anthony Whipps (0-1-0) 3. Angelil Sisior (0-1-0) 4. George Anzawa (0-0-0) 5. Destiny Sisior (0-0-0) 6. Zachery Techall Whipps (0-0-0).

In the latest FIDE ratings for March, 40 chess players from Palau are listed at www.fide.com The other 5 who are listed but without ratings are Elizalde Madrinan, Joy Flores Whipps, Jerry Sermeno, Ann Acebron and Elizabeth Manuel.

Meanwhile, Philippines’ top chess player GM Wesley So became the first Filipino to teach the elite 2700 FIDE rating with 2701, a point ahead of Latvia’s Alexie Shirov.

GM So is now no. 50 of the top 100 chess players of the world after his undefeated campaign in January and February of this year.

Source:
Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Pages 8 &11
Volume 22
Issue 24
March 25, 2013

(404) PHOTOS (Week 3 of Rapid Chess Tournament)

It looks like Glen Navarosa, left, will beat nobody in Group A the way he is playing so poorly. He lost here to Jeff Balbalosa and later to Rafael Paloma. (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

Jeff Balbalosa, right, mishandled the Sicilian Defence and lost in just 12 moves to Roberto Hernandez. --THE MOVES: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nxd4 5. Qxd4 d6 6. Nc3 e5 7. Qa5+ Bd7 8. Qb3 b6 9. Bc4 Nf6 10. Bxf7+ Ke7 11. Bg5 Bc6?? 12. Qe6 mate.
(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

The 4th loss in a row for Glen Navarosa, right, was dealt to him by (L-R) Paquito 'Pax' Suringa, Jr. Watching the game are Tito Cabunagan, his wife Lilibeth, Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. and Eugene Labarda. (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

Newcomer Rafael Paloma lost a very good game against Jeff Balbalosa. Paloma Family is in the background with his wife Gladys and 2 sons. Angie Parrado, 2nd from left, won her first official game against Lilibeth Cabunagan.

(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

Profile photo of Rafael Paloma in the Palau Chess Federation website: http://palau-chess.blospot.com
at (42) PALAU CHESS FEDERATION Players/Names/Pictures.
(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

This time, profile picture of Lilibeth Cabunagan. (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

Your turn, Glen Navarosa - (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

UPSET OF THE TOURNAMENT -- Would you believe that Angie was swept by newcomer Gladys Paloma?

Rafael Paloma, left, dealt Glen Navarosa his 5th straight loss.