(686) Balbalosa Dominates Ksau Cup; Roberto is 22 years in Palau on Feb. 4 (TBN-Feb. 03, 2014)

TUTII JOE CHILTON IN PRIVATE TEACHING
     From left, Casto 'Toti' Abundo, Eric Ksau Whipps, Tutii Joe Chilton and Geoffrey Borg did a photo session at Joe's private tutoring place. Mr. Borg, who is the CEO of FIDE, is willing to supply chess materials to Palau schools if chess will be taught in schools as an elective or extra curricular activity'
                                                    (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)


BALBALOSA DOMINATES KSAU CUP;
    ROBERTO IS 22 YEARS IN PALAU 
           ON FEBRUARY O4, 2014

   

MARTHA of United Airlines mentioned to Roberto sometime ago this words: “Why is my son Dmitri Kyle Villanueva trying everything –from chess, basketball, baseball, swimming, bodybuilding, etc. He is trying everything.”

                My response is, “Let him try everything and when he finds the right sports or activity where he can exploit his full potential, then let him choose the field where he will excel and be happy.”

                 Maybe kids will be inspired or challenged by the wonderful experience of Ksau Anthony Whipps in the 2013 World Youth Chess Championship in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.

When the kids found the sports or activity where they can excel then there is a chance that they will represent Palau in the 2014 World Youth Chess Championship in South Africa and in 2015 WYCC in Baku, Azerbaijan.

                 It’s now time for chess puzzle. If kids can solve this week’s chess puzzle (White to move and mates in 3), Roberto will give them 1 dollar each to all kids from 18 years and below. Just text or call Roberto the answer at 778-5392.

                Jeffrey Balbalosa dominated the recently concluded Ksau Cup with a perfect 23/23. His new rating will put him back in the Top 10 chess players of Palau, now at 8^th with 1696. At 2^nd is Rafael Paloma with 21.5 points followed by the first Woman National Master of Palau Angelica ‘Angie’ Parrado with 20 pts.

                At 4^th is Angie’s daughter Destiny Sisior getting 17.5 points followed by Ksau Anthony Whipps with 17. At 6^th is Gladys Anne Paloma at 16.5. She will be getting his first international rating.

                Tied at 7^th place are Eric Ksau Whipps and surprising newcomer Crisarjo Ulap with identical 15.5 points. Tied at 9^th are Angelil Sisior, another newcomers Allan Leuterio and Jo-Arl Cris Ulad with 15 each.

                Tied also at 12 are Jon ‘Sib’ Manuel Reyes and Joy Flores Whipps with 12.5 points apiece. At solo 14^th is Joseph Osorio with 12. At 15^th place is Ojhea Perdon (10.5) followed by Roxanne Parco (9) and at 17^th is Rengeos Naruo (7.5). Bernie Dambo (7) is at 18th and Nasser Ongyango (5.5) at solo 19^th.

                Tied at 20^th are Kayah Whipps and Francois Millimono at 5 points each. Second to the last spot is Daniel Mendoza at 2 points and at the cellar is Myra Moralde Ulap with 1 point.

                Roberto will be 22 years in Palau on Feb. 04, 2014. He remembers his first time in Palau on the afternoon of Continental Airlines flight. During the landing, he saw an egret or heron at the side of the landing area. If that bird is in the Philippines, somebody already shoot it with a sling shot and cook it!

                It’s been 10 years since the first-ever chess tournament was started in June 09, 2002.

                Looking back then, Palau now has 48 players listed in www.fide.com for the month of Feb. 2014.

Palau was represented in 2009 Oceania Zonal Chess Championship in Australia, 2010 World Chess Olympiad in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia, 2012 World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey, in 2013 Guam International Chess Tournament and lately in the 2013 World Youth Chess Championship in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.

                Palau Chess Federation has new energetic President in Eric Ksau Whipps and they are looking forward to participate in 2014 World Chess Olympiad in Tromso, Norway with Men (Open) and Women’s Team and more Palauans in its delegation.

                Solution to last week’s puzzle: 1. Qxh7+!! Nxh7 2. Bxh7+ Kh8 or Kf8 3. Ng6 mate.

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

                           $1.00 cash prize each for kids 18 years and below who can solve this puzzle.

Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez

             Tia Belau Newspaper

             Pages 9-10

             Volume 23

             Issue 10

             February 03, 2014 

(608) JANUARY 2004 LIST OF TOP 50 CHESS PLAYERS OF PHILIPPINES

NINE years and nine months ago, the Philippines had only 4 Grandmasters and their top player is IM Mark Paragua (2529) followed by GM Rogelio 'Joey' Antonio, Jr. (2523) and the vintage Asia's first GM Eugene Torre (2521).

At 4th is IM Rogelio Barcenilla (2502) and another GM at 5th --Buenaventura 'Bong' Villamayor (2469).

At no. 18 is IM Jayson Gonzales (2403), who became the Team Captain of Philippine Team to 2012 World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey.

GM Jayson Gonzales and NM/NA Roberto Hernandez of Palau with the Philippine Women Team before the start of their games at 2012 World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey.   (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

No. 29 Darwin Laylo (2328)is not even a FIDE Master then as well as no. 31 Oliver Barbosa, who did very well in 2012 Olympiad beating GM Gawain Jones of England in 103 moves.  

A pictorial with GM Oliver Barbosa at the bleachers of Wow Convention Center, the venue of 2012 World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey.                                          (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

GM Oliver Barbosa, left, at the bleachers with Palau teammates and couple Menandro Manuel and wife Elizabeth the day after Barbosa defeated England's Board 2 player GM Gawain Jones.
                                                              (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

Wesley So vs. Michael Adams (draw), Oliver Barbosa vs. Gawain Jones (1-0), Eugene Torre vs. Nigel Short (1-0).                                                               (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)



At no. 37 is Woman International Master Arianne Caoili. She said, "I'm tired of begging for sponsorship just to play abroad. It's time to change colors."

Now she is representing Australia, where I met her there in the 2009 Oceania Zonal Chess Championship. She was the champion then and 2nd seed.

I met her again in 2010 World Chess Olympiad in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia and in the 2012 World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey.

Board 1 Arianne Caoili at 2012 World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey.
                                                           (Photo by Shaun Press)   

Australian Men's Team -- GM David Smerdon, Moulthun Ly, Stephen Solomon and Max Illingworth.
                                                                             (Photo by Shaun Press)

At no. 53 is WM Christine Rose Mariano, who applied to Roberto Hernandez as Team Captain of Palau Team to 2010 World Chess Olympiad in Russia. 

The position was given to Australia's Jamie Kenmure as an appreciation for him being the Rating Officer of Palau.
He is also the Team Captain of Palau in Istanbul.

Roberto Hernandez, left, and next to him Mr. Gary Bekker, met in 2006 at Palau Invitational Chess Championship. They meet again in 2009 Oceania Zonal Chess Championship and in the 2012 Olympiad.
                                                                                   (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)


The most surprising is this list is no. 36 Julio Catalino Sadorra, just became a GM a few months ago and now Phil. no. 2 at 2585.

Wesley So is just 9 years old at this time but he's now the no. 1 chess player of the Philippines with 2710 rating, the best rating that a Filipino player have gotten this high and world's no. 34.

The top 11 players of the Philippines are all GMs with Torre now at no. 10 and Roland Salvador at 11th.

No. 3 is Mark Paragua, 4. Oliver Barbosa 5. Joseph Sanchez 6. Rogelio Antonio, Jr. 7. John Paul Gomez 8. Darwin Laylo 9. Rogelio Barcenilla  
   


Source: History Of Chess In Palau
            By Roberto Hernandez
            September 2013
            To Be Published As A Book In The Future 

(516) ALMOST AN NM TITLE FOR JOSELITO MARCOS (TBN-July 15, 2013)

SAME AS YOU 
     Joselito Marcos, right, is flanked by Papua New Guinea Prime Minister, when the latter visited the National Polytechnic Institute of Papua New Guinea recently.Lito teases Roberto by saying, "If you have a photo of you and Palau President Johnson Toribiong, I have also a photo with PNG's Prime Minister." The two really have many things in common.
                                        (Photo by Joselito Marcos) 

         ALMOST A NM TITLE FOR

              LITO MARCOS IN 1991 

Joselito Marcos of Papua New Guinea became the best friend of Roberto Hernandez when they first met in Australia to represent PNG and Palau respectively for the first time.

Since then, their friendship goes deeper and deeper from Russia in 2010 World Chess Olympiad and in Palau during the 2011 3^rd Palau Invitational Chess Championship.

Health problem prevented him to participate in the 2012 World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey but he’s always online watching the development and games of the Olympiad. He usually gives advises to Palau Chess Team members especially Roberto and Bernardo Garcia, who acquired the first FIDE title of Palau, a Candidate Master title.

A few months after the 2012 Olympiad, he single-handedly worked on how to achieve a CM title that should have been given to him when he scored enough points at 2002 Bled, Slovenia World Chess Olympiad.

He is now a CM and in their latest conversations about how many chess masters does he knows, he shared the following wonderful experiences when he almost gain a National Master title in 1991 in his final round game against Idel Datu, who eventually gained that title in the following story:

“I’m reminiscing… when I missed out on NM title in a game vs. Idel Datu, who went on to get his in 1991. GM Jayson Gonzales, Philippines Open Team Captain at 2012 Olympiad, was there telling Datu that he could not underestimate Joselito.”

“He nearly made a losing blunder but he spotted it in the end because Lito rose from his chair in excitement. Datu looked at him and at the board… then he perspired, regained his composure, and changed the move written on his score sheet (today, it is not allowed doing this).”

HIS HUMBLE SHARING COMMENTS: “Whatever I have shared to Palau is my way of giving back from other’s goodness.”

A short email to Lito by Roberto is as follows: “Thanks for the info about GM Mark Paragua. I don’t have an idea about all of it. You really know a lot about almost all chess players in the world. Even when we’re in Russia, you easily recognized GM Nigel Short personally than me even if we chat regularly on Facebook before the Russia Olympiad.

If not for your recognition of him, I might have missed that photo session with Nigel.”

Lito answered “Thank you for the compliments. As always or most of the cases I happened to be where the actions are.

We were in the same hotel with the Philippine team in 2oo2 Bled, Slovenia Olympiad. GM Paragua’s father Ric Paragua, a civil engineer like me, and I have talked at least 2 times during meals. Then again, we met in a rapid tourney in Baliwag, Bulacan Philippines in 2010 where I learned about GM Paragua’s  marital situation and need.

However, he didn’t seem to remember me and I didn’t bother to remind him. Why? Grandmasters Bong Villamayor and Jayson Gonzales always talk and approached me when opportunity arises during tournaments we are together.

The Philippine Masters who do not know me were wondering who I am that they are talking to intently.  Bong, while he was just a NM was my guest in the house but he never mind not sleeping as we analyzed some of my games and gave me pointers.

In Bled, he was already a GM, still we also analyzed 2 of my games, one won and one drawn.

He pointed a couple of missed wins in the middle game and in the endgame of the drawn game.”

                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

               Pages 9 & 11

               Volume 22

               Issue 56

               July 15, 2013 

(366) ROBERTO'S TRADEMARK -- Belt Bag & 2 Wallets

BELT BAG IT IS
Convenient but bulky. Roberto Hernandez, right, keeps wearing it in Australia, Russia, Istanbul, Turkey, Philippines and Palau.
(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)



ROBERTO'S TRADEMARK --
BELT BAG AND 2 WALLETS

SOME people are noticing that Roberto Hernandez is always wearing a belt bag even when he travelled to Australia in 2009, in Russia during the 2010 World Chess Olympiad in Khanty-Mansiysk and in the 2012 World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey.

Even when he’s playing piano at Teppan Dragon in 2006, the Chef, Tsuneo Irikedamoto, asked him to take off his belt bag when a group of photographers from Japan are having a pictorial of the place for promotion.

Before going to Australia, he bought a new belt bag but the design is “faded” and it looks old. In Russia also, he’s always wearing a belt bag in watching games of the Olympiad. In Istanbul, even he’s wearing a neck tie the belt bag is still visible.

While watching chess games in the bigger tennis center in Russia, a Russian girl with her dad and older brother, is staring at the picture of his I. D, which is the same but smaller photo in his business card.

He got one business card and gave it to her. Her dad asked her to say thank you and she said thank you in Russian language.

That’s one of the things that he regretted not being done before going to Russia. He didn’t even learn some simple Russian words such as “Thank you”, “You’re welcome”, “Good morning” or “Good evening”.

Grace, a co-employee of Hernandez’ wife knows that he likes to wear belt bag. She gave Hernandez a brand new belt bag on Father’s day. She saved one belt bag for her father, who unfortunately passed away before she gave it to him.

Roberto’s wife Flor asked him to buy some chocolates for Grace in Istanbul when he comes back after participating in the 2012 World Chess Olympiad.

A co-employee of Roberto at Palau Royal Resort asked him, “Why are you always wearing a belt bag?” His reply is, “This is where I put my eyeglass for reading, pens, mobile phone, coins, keys for car, room and locker, and also I put my 2 wallets in there whenever that the short pants I’m wearing don’t have pockets.”

IS IT CLEAR NOW?

AND SPEAKING OF 2 WALLETS – A funny incident took place at the Ataturk airport when the Palau Chess Team members at 2012 World Chess Olympiad are leaving Istanbul for a flight to Singapore and Manila.

The 2 members, Menandro and Elizabeth Manuel, left early in the morning for an extra 5-day trip to Italy and France. Their team captain Jamie Kenmure left later for Australia and their Delegate, Swedish Jan Berglund will stay till later in the afternoon of Sept. 10, 2012.

At the bus, Roberto is seating next to Papua New Guinea’s top player Stuart Fancy. He learned that Bernard and Roberto are having a little problem of over baggage. He suggested that they should check-in together to offset the excess.

During check-in of baggage, they instructed the passengers to put their wallets, coins, handkerchiefs and other small items in their pockets in a small plastic container. Roberto did that and concentrated more to the bigger baggage and the hand-carried one.

While they are falling in line, the Philippines Open and women’s team members, except GM Wesley So, are also in line. While Stuart is doing the check-in of baggage, Roberto noticed that his 2 wallets are missing. He thought that he was victimized by pickpocket as Bernard search the internet that there is occasional case of pickpocket in Istanbul. Bernard said that maybe Roberto left it at the x-ray counter.

Roberto run to the 3^rd counter and was referred to the 1^stcounter by Turkish security officer. At the 1^st counter, Roberto saw his 2 wallets, handkerchief and comb all together in one container. There are 3 Turkish security officers there.

Roberto pointed out to the nearest officer that the brown wallet belongs to him. He asked for some proof that Roberto really is the owner of that. He gets a business card (with pictures) from his belt bag and showed to the officer that he has more cards in the wallet. Upon seeing some cards in the wallet, he gave it to Roberto.

When Roberto pointed to the other wallet, he said, “This is also my wallet,” the other 2 officers laughed. Roberto get another card from the second wallet and said, “See, it’s also mine.” That’s the time that he really believed that Roberto has a second wallet.

Roberto took also the handkerchief and the comb and rushed back to the check-in counter. The 3 Turkish officers are laughing and very amazed to meet for the first time-- A MAN WHO HAVE 2 WALLETS.

Solution to last week’s special 10^th anniversary puzzle: 1. c8=B (Black bishop)! Yes. Before 1988, you can promote a pawn to any piece of your opponent’s color. With this move, Black can’t stop the 2. Nc7 mate. 1. c8=K (Black king) is the second solution. Nobody solved the puzzle so the prize of $45.00 will be added to Palau Chess Team Fund, this time to 2014 World Chess Olympiad in Tromso, Norway.

Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez

Tia Belau Newspaper

Volume 22

Issue 02

January 07, 2013

(353) Palau Featured in Australasian Chess Mag. Nov.-Dec. Issue

THE PALAU TEAM IN THE 4OTH WORLD CHESS OLYMPIAD IN ISTANBUL, TURKEY WAS FEATURED IN THE NOVEMBER-DECEMBER ISSUE OF AUSTRALASIAN MAGAZINE BEING PUBLISHED BY FM BRIAN JONES.
From left to right, Elizabeth Manuel, Menandro Manuel, Jamie Kenmure (team captain), Roberto Hernandez (Board 1) and Bernardo Garcia (Board 3)
(Photo by Brian Jones)



OPEN WINNER IN ISTANBUL

Armenia won the 40th Olympiad on tiebreak from Russia, with Ukraine in 3rd place. Gold Medalist Armenia and Silver Medalist Russia drew with each other and conceded only one match (to China and USA respectively). Both defeated the 2010 winner Ukraine.

Aronian lead on top board with only a single loss and a 2854 rating performance. Akopian went through unbeaten on board 3 with a 2821 rating performance. Movsesian, Sargissian and Petrosian completed the Armenia team, which repeated its success in 2008.

Russia were unlucky not to win the Gold Medal. After the drawn match with Armenia in round 6, they continued their winning ways until they lost against the USA team in round 9, when their top 2 boards (Kramnik and Grischuk) failed to score. (Armenia had lost to China in round 7 but the tiebreaks always favoured Armenia).

Jakovenko was unbeaten at board 5, scoring 7/9 for a 2801 rating performance. Karjakin was unbeaten on board 3, scoring 7/10 for a 2797 rating performance. Kramnik and Grischuk played respectably and Tomashevsky drew all his 5 games. In the end everything was lost with the shock defeat against the USA!



OCEANIA OPEN TEAMS

The Australian team finished 32nd, well ahead of the seedings of 61st. Moulthun Ly was the best performer, scoring 7/10 at board 2 for a rating performance of 2558. Max Illingworth scores 7/10 on board 5, with a rating performace of 2474 to confirm his IM title. Stephen Solomon scored an excellent 6/9 including an important last round swindle that salvaged a draw against Slovakia.

David Smerdon was doing well until he took his eye off the ball in the last 3 rounds. Aleks Wohl had another Olympiad he will want to forget!

The New Zealand team finished 97th, which was closed to their seedings of 91st. Nicolas Croad was the best performer scoring 6/10 at board 2 for an outstanding rating performance of 2418, Michael Steadman with 4.5/9 and Luke Lee with 4.5/8 performed satisfactorily and were close to their rating on boards 3 & 5.

Russell Dive struggled with 3.5/10 on board 1. Paul Garbett had a shocker. Overall a satisfactory result for New Zealand, who still missed their top players. Alas, Murray Chandler had retired and Puchen Wang appears lost to the USA. Maybe it's time to send a younger team to future Olympiads?

Three smaller Oceania federations played in the 2012 Open Olympiad in Istanbul. PNG, Fiji and Palau all played with commendable spirit but generally struggled.

The PNG top boards Stuart Fancy and Helmut Marko scored 50% and the new team captain, Bulgarian coach GM Dejan Bojkov, helped Craig Skelan to score his first full point ever in a Chess Olympiad.

Calvin Prasad, Sam Goundar and Gor Arvind helped the Fijian team to score three match wins but PNG finished better with draw, draw, win.

Roberto Hernandez, Bernardo Garcia and Menandro Manuel scored respectably for Palau and help avoid last place! But, as always, the Oceania teams missed their best players due to lack of financial support.


OPEN ROUND BY ROUND IN ISTANBUL

ROUND 1

Australia won 3-1 against the 137th seed Namibia. New Zealand lost to 14th seed Germany. (Nic Croad held GM Kenkin to a draw). PNG, Fiji and Palau were all outclassed.

ROUND 2

Australia drew 2-2 against 54th seed Norway (no Magnus Carlsen). New Zealand defeat the 123rd seed Nepal. Fiji scored their first win -- against the 120th seed Kenya. PNG and Palau both blanked.

ROUND 3

Australia lost narrowly to the 56th seed Mongolia. New Zealand were blanked by the 63rd seed Paraguay. PNG lost 1-3 to 131st seed South Korea. Fiji and Palau both blanked.

ROUND 4
Australia narrowly beat the 100th seed Pakistan. New Zealand outclass Kuwait. Fiji drew with South Korea. PNG lost narrowly to the 140th seed Chinese Taipe. Palau scored a half point against 128th seed Hong Kong.

ROUND 5

Australia narrowly beat the 83rd seed Zambia. New Zealand lost to the unsighted men. PNG blanked Burundi. Palau score first ever win -- against the US Virgin Isles.

ROUND 6

Australia lost narrowly to the 49th seed Macedonia. New Zealand narrowly beat the 74th seed Faroe Islands. PNG squeezed out a win against San Marino. Fiji and Palau both lost.

ROUND 7

Australia drew with 52nd seed Finland. New Zealand drew a tight match with Jordan. PNG were blanked by Faroe Islands. Fiji lost 1-3 to Mauritiana. Prasad won on top board. Palau lost 1-3 to Macau.

ROUND 8

Australia narrowly defeat 69th seed Ireland. New Zealand narrowly lost to 76th seed United Arab Emirates. PNG blanked again this time by Monaco. Fiji defeats Namibia with wins on boards 3 and 4. Palau drew 2-2 with Rwanda.

ROUND 9

Australia drew with 60th seed Tajikistan. New Zealand defeat 106th seed Angola. PNG shared the points with Ghana. (Fancy wins on top board). Fiji lost badly to Barbados. Palau lost 1-3 to Guernsey (Menandro Manuel wins on board 4).

ROUND 10

Australia win 3-1 against 55th seed Singapore. New Zealand lost 3-1 to 62nd seed Albania. PNG drew 2-2 with Haiti (wins for Fancy and Marko on the top 2 boards. Fiji lost to Ghana. Palau defeat Burundi 3-1.

ROUND 11

Australia drew with 42nd seed Slovakia. New Zealand drew with 85th seed Zimbabwe. PNG crushed Sao Tome. Fiji won 4-0 against Burundi. Palau lost 1-3 to San Marino (top board Hernandez scoring the only win).

(319) ROBERTO VS. MENANDRO (Teammates in Istanbul, Adversaries in Palau)

TEAMMATES IN ISTANBUL, ADVERSARIES IN PALAU
Roberto Hernandez, right, and Menandro Manuel, pose at the reception of chess players, delegates and other dignitaries at the Ataturk airport while waiting for the bus to take them to Adela Hotel where they are billeted. The teammates played their first game of 2012 Palau National Chess Championship on Sunday, Oct. 14. Hernandez mated Manuel in 37 moves of Danish Gambit. (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)



ROBERTO VS. MENANDRO
TEAMMATES IN ISTABUL,
ADVERSARIES IN PALAU

THE LAST game of the first weekends of action in the 2012 Palau National Chess Championship pitted 2nd seed Menandro Manuel vs. 3rd seed Roberto Hernandez.

Top seed Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. and 4th seed Tito Cabunagan are having their match on the other table, with Cyril prevailing in just 24 moves of Queen's Gambit Declined.

They were able to watch the Hernandez - Manuel match and even set the pieces on the other table with 5th seed Paquito Suringa, Jr. to analyze the ongoing match.

On the 14th move, both players have 1:11 remaining in their clock.
THE MOVES: Roberto Hernandez (White) vs. Menandro Manuel (Black)
1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Bc4 d6 5. Nf3 Be6 6. Bxe6 fxe6 7. Qb3 Nd7 8. Qxe6+ Qe7 9. Qxe7 Bxe7 10. Nxc3 Ngf6 11. Ng5 0-0 12. Ne6 Rfc8 13. Be3 a6 14. 0-0 Ne5 15. Bd4 c6 16. f4 Nd3 17. Na4 c5 18. Bxf6 Bxf6 19. Nb6 Nxb2 20. Nxa8 Rxa8 21. Rab1 Nd3 22. Rxb7 Re8 23. f5 Rc8 24. g4 h6 25. h4 c4 26. g5 hxg5 27. hxg5 Be5 28. f6 gxf6 29. gxf6 Kh8 30. f7 Bg7 31. Nxg7 Kh7 32. f8=Q Rxf8 33. Rxf8 c3 34. Rf6 Nc5 35. Ra7 Kg8 36. Ne8 Kh8 37. Rf8#

In the 2003 Senior and Junior Open chess tournament, Roberto and Menandro played the same Danish Gambit game on November 01, 2003:

White: Roberto Hernandez (1740) Nov. 01, 2003 (Saturday)

Black: Menandro Manuel (1740)

1. e4 e5 2. d4 exd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Bc4 Nc6 5. Nxc3 Bb4 6. Nf3 h6 7. 0-0 Bxc3 8. bxc3 d6 9. Re1 Be6 10. Bxe6 fxe6 11. Qb3 Qc8 12. Qb5 Nge7 13. Qh5+ g6 14. Qb5 a6 15. Qd3 Qd7 16. Rb1 0-0-0 17. Qc4 Rdg8 18. Qb3 Nd8 19. Be3 g5 20. e5 g4 21. Nd2 d5 22. Bc5 h5 23. c4 h4 24. Bxe7 Qxe7 25. cxd5 g3 26. d6 gxh2+ 27. Kxh2 Qg5 28. d7+ Kb8 29. Qf3 Qd2 30. Red1 Qg5 31. Qe4 Rf8 32. Rb4 h3 33. g4 Rf2+ 34. Kh1 Qh4 35. Rxb7+! Nxb7 36. Rb1 c6 37. Qxc6 Rh2+ 38. Kxh2 Qf2+ 39. Kh1 Qg2+ 40. Qxg2 hxg2+ 41. Kxg2 Kc7 42. Kg3 Rh7 43. Rd1 Rxd7 44. Rc1+ Kd8?! 45.Rc6 a5 46. Rxe6 Re7 47. Rb6 Kc7 48. Rb5 Kc6 49. a4 Nc5 50. Rxa5 Rxe5 51. Kh4 Re4 52. Kh5 Rxa4 53. Rxa4 Nxa4 54. Kg6 Kd7 55. Kf7 Nb6 56. g5 Nc8 57. g6 Ne7 58. g7 Kd8(Draw)

THE MOVES: Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. vs. Tito Cabunagan
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d5 3. e3 e6 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. a3 Bxc3 6. bxc3 0-0 7. Bd3 Nc6 8. Qc2 dxc4 9. Bxc4 e5 10. Nf3 exd4 11. cxd4 Bg4 12. Nd2 Bh5 13. 0-0 Bg6 14. Bd3 Bxd3 15. Qxd3 Re8 16. Bb2 Qd5 17. Rfe1 Rad8 18. e4 Qh5 19. d5 Ne5 20. Qg3 Nd7 21. Rac1 Qh6 22. Nf3 Qxc7 23. Nxe4 Qb6 24. Bd4 Qa6 25. Rxe4 1-0

With the confirmation that Manuel Mahor, Jr. will join the tournament, a 9-year-old Palauan boy and another woman were added to the 1650 and below category. Joselito Marcos suggested to make it short, just Class B and Class A to the 1651 and above category.

The 1650 and below category was increased because Mahor's FIDE rating is 1646. The Palauan boy, Zachary Techell Whipps, was present with his cousin Ksau Anthony Whipps on Sunday. They practiced speed chess using the mechanical chess clock to familiarize themselves playing with chess clock and writing their moves.

Luciano 'Bong' Sibayan, who works at Palau Royal Resort, was asked by Hernandez if he would like to play Ksau. After setting their table, Roberto left the venue for 20 minutes to submit his report to Tia Belau for October 15 issue of Chessmate.

When Roberto comes back, their game is finished in just 14 moves with Sibayan winning. A day later, an email from Jeff Balbalosa is asking for some concerns:

Kuya Robert,

Ksau Anthony complained to his Dad he said that his opponent was kind a rushing him to move to finish the game right away since the guy has something to do or was going to work.

I don't think this is okay since he (the guy) joined in a tournament he must set aside a time to play and don't rush the opponent to finish it.

Thanks,

Jeffrey D. BalbalosaSystems Analyst/Programmer

Surangel And Sons, Co.

Koror, Palau 96940

ROBERTO REPLIED WITH THE FOLLOWING:

Jeff,

I'll talk to Luciano Sibayan. When they are playing, I'm at the Tia Belau office to submit my report about this tournament. I've been there for only 20 minutes and when I'm come back, their game is finished.

If Ksau said that Luciano is rushing him, then this is a good lesson for him -- the time control is 75 minutes to finish the game so they've got a lot of time. When he knows that his opponent is kind of rushing him to move, then he should move really, really very slow. Nobody should tell him to move fast. By moving very slow, he is already winning because his opponent will tend to move fast and be susceptible to make mistakes.

I know that Luciano is off already at 2:00 pm. He is not working. He's just finished working. I asked him, "Do you want to play with the boy (Ksau)? He said okay but he has not eaten yet his lunch. Maybe that's what he means that he is doing something.

So this is another lesson that even the adults should learn.

Let's remind everybody especially the kids-- "IN CHESS, THE SLOWER YOU MOVE, THE FASTER YOU'LL LEARN!"

Best regards and please extend my concern to Ksau and Eric about this. This may be a reason that I can declare that game a draw because of a technical violation of Luciano, who should not oblige his opponent to move fast. OR I MIGHT ASK THEM TO PLAY ANOTHER GAME WITH ME AROUND.

This is just their first game. A lot will still happen in the coming 16 games.

Good luck to all!

Robert

THE LADY PLAYER WHO WAS ADDED TO THE LIST IS MARY FRANCES LOPEZ. WITH THE WITHDRAWAL OF MA. FLORIDA HERNANDEZ FROM THE TOURNAMENT, LOPEZ MIGHT BECOME THE 5TH MEMBER OF PALAU'S WOMEN'S TEAM TO 2014 WORLD CHESS OLYMPIAD IN TROMSO, NORWAY IN AUGUST 01-14, 2014.

Here are the details of 2012 Palau National Chess Championship:

HELD FROM OCTOBER 13- DEC. 02, 2012 AT KOROR CITY, REPUBLIC OF PALAU 96940
TIME CONTROL: 90 MINUTES + 30 SECONDS INCREMENT IN THE 1651 AND ABOVE RATING CATEGORY. (We can call it A to make it short)
DOUBLE ROUND-ROBIN


TIME CONTROL: 75 MINUTES + 30 SECONDS INCREMENT IN THE 1650 AND BELOW RATING CATEGORY. (We call it B to make it short)
SINGLE ROUND-ROBIN
RATING OFFICER: JAMIE KENMURE
TOURNAMENT ORGANIZER: ROBERTO HERNANDEZ
TOURNAMENT CHIEF ARBITER: ROBERTO HERNANDEZ

PLAYERS IN THE 1651 AND ABOVE CATEGORY, THEIR FIDE RATING AND DATE OF BIRTH:

1. CELIZ, JOSE (1687) 06/19/73
2. ESCAPATORIA, GONZALO (1689) 02/26/67
3. MANUEL, MENANDRO (1883) 02/26/51
4. MONTEL JR, CYRIL TOMAS (1943) 08/01/70
5. SURINGA JR, PAQUITO (1734) 03/02/73
6. GARCIA, BERNARDO (CM) (1673) 10/08/76
7. HERNANDEZ, ROBERTO (1858) 01/02/56
8. CABUNAGAN, TITO (1814) 02/06/59



PLAYERS IN THE 1650 AND BELOW CATEGORY, THEIR FIDE RATING AND DATE OF BIRTH

1. NGIRATECHEKII, PAZ
2. BALBALOSA, JEFF 1540 07/24/79
3. SIBAYAN, LUCIANO 12/19/75
4. REYES, JON MANUEL 05/11/80
5. GONZALES, DENNIS 1600 09/15/78
6. ROLDAN, DAN 03/09/77
7. HESS, SCOTT
8. HOSSAIN, MANIK MOHAMMAD 1528 04/20/81
9. WHIPPS, KSAU ANTHONY 04/17/01
10. DELA CRUZ, JAIME 07/15/75
11. PARRADO, ANGIE 1551 12/13/68
12. MANALIGOD, ELPIDIO 1516 03/28/73
13. GLORIA, FREDDIE 11/26/79
14. SISIOR, DESTINY 05/04/06
15. SISIOR, ANGELIL 02/13/03
16. MAHOR, MANUEL JR 1646 12/26/70
17. WHIPPS, ZACHARY TECHALL 05/30/01
18. LOPEZ, MARY FRANCES

(311) A LETTER TO THE NEW GM OF PALAU ROYAL RESORT

This place -- Palau Royal Resort Conference Room, will be very busy again in the coming 9 consecutive weekends (Saturday and Sunday) for the 2012 Palau National Chess Championship -- Oct. 13- Dec. 09, 2012.                (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)
This became possible because of a letter below:




                                       PALAU CHESS FEDERATION
                                      MEMBER OF FIDE 2005
                                                                 P. O. Box 1662
                                                    Koror, Republic of Palau 96940
                                                    http://palau-chess.blogspot.com


October 01, 2012

To: Mr. Masayuki Kawaguchi
General Manager, Palau Royal Resort

Dear Sir,

The Officers and Members of Palau Chess Federation are requesting you to allow us to use the PRR Dorm 1 Lounge as the venue for the 2012 Palau National Chess Championship (PNCC) to be held on October 14- December 09, 2012.

We held the 2009, 2010 and 2011 PNCC at the same venue.

The 2006 Palau Invitational Chess Championship (PICC) was held at the Conference Room of PRR in August 31- September 04, 2006 where 4 invited players from New Zealand, Australia and Philippines participated against the top 6 players of Palau.

And in December 14-20, 2011, we held the 3rd PICC at the Conference Room again where the top chess player of Papua New Guinea was invited.

Roberto Hernandez, the PRR Musician, is the defending champion of this coming 2012 PNCC.

Forty seven (47) employees of PRR have participated in numerous chess tournaments in Palau since July 2007.

Please check the Palau Chess Federation website http://palau-chess.blogspot.com to see how the PCF is promoting Palau and Palau Royal Resort through chess -- in Australia, Russia, New Zealand and lately in Istanbul, Turkey.

The post "Palau Chess Federation --Players/Names/Pictures" featured more than 215 players and Honorary Members of PCF.

We hope to hold the 2012 PNCC again at PRR.

Thank you and more power and blessing to PRR!



________________

Roberto Hernandez
Secretary/Treasurer,
Palau Chess Federation


*Because of this letter, the new General Manager (GM) of Palau Royal Resort has generously offered the free use of PRR Conference Room for the duration of the event during weekends (Saturday and Sunday) from Oct. 13- December 09, 2012.

A similar letter was written to Palau Pacific Resort where 1 room accomodation, 1 dinner for 2 gift certificate, 1 brunch for 2 gift certificate and 3 t-shirts were asked for the prizes of the top finishers of this event.

(283) QATAR SWEPT PALAU; 44 OTHER COUNTRIES SWEPT, TOO

QATAR VS. PALAU 4-0

Palau's first participation in a Chess Olympiad became a reality on August 28, 2012 when it finally sent a 4-player representative in the 2012 World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey.

(Photo by Shaun Press)

QATAR SWEPT PALAU;

44 OTHER COUNTRIES SWEPT TOO

THE FIRST round of 2012 World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey was 30 minutes behind schedule. A record 161 countries participated with Russia as top seed in the Open division and China in women's division.

Palau's first round opponent is Qatar, who boasts 2 Grandmasters (GM) in Board 1 and 2, an Internatinal Master (IM) at Board 3 and a FIDE Master on Board 4.

Palau's Board 1 player Roberto Hernandez faced Qatar's top player Mohamad Al-Modiahkli, who has a rating of 2542 against Hernandez 1875.

ELIZABETH MANUEL:

FIRST TOURNAMENT - OLYMPIAD

FIRST OPPONENT - A GRANDMASTER

FIRST ILLEGAL MOVE - 1ST ROUND

FIRST LOSS - IN JUST 13 MOVES

The next World Chess Olympiad will be held in Tromso, Norway from August 01-14, 2014. Their booth is advertising the site in the hallway of the Istanbul Olympiad.

Board 2, 3, 4 of Palau Chess Team. From left, Bernardo Garcia (3), Elizabeth Manuel (2) and Menandro Manuel (4).

From left, Bernardo Garcia, Roberto Hernandez (1) and Menandro Manuel.

Menandro Manuel posing at the giant chessboard.

Bernard's turn this time.

Roberto's turn

At the museum which showcase different chessboards and pieces (modern and old).

Palau team mates pose with Dr. Virgilio de Asa, President of Fiji Chess Federation.

Palau's chess team and Philippines top player GM Wesley So pose for a souvenir photo.

Although Palau was swept in their first round matches, the funny experience in their Board 2 match was an unforgetable one that Elizabeth Manuel was in tears of joy upon hearing the stories of his match against a Grandmaster.

During her game, she forgets to press her chess clock more than 4 times after making a move; she touched 2 pieces before making her final move; she holds a piece for about 3 minutes before letting it off with her right hand holding a pen ready to write her move right away.

Three moves prior to her resignation, she committed an illegal move when she moves a bishop instead of capturing a pawn that's checking her king. Her GM opponent called the attention of the arbiter and he explained to her about the illegal move. He deducted 2 minutes from her and the GM opponent accepted her resignation within 2 moves after realizing an inevitable mate.

Hernandez held ground against GM Mohamad Al-Modiahkli using the Pirc Defence. A very strong passed pawn on d7 hampered his position on the 23rd move.

A queen sacrifice on the succeeding move stunned Hernandez and although Mohamad recovered the queen through the promotion of his d pawn to another queen, the rook double attack on Hernandez' queen and bishop ended the game on the 30th move.

At Board 4, Menandro Manuel had the longest game against an FM and even penetrated the 7th rank with his 2 rooks. But he is 2 pawns behind and his opponent even managed to sacrifice his other rook without anything in return except the promotion of those 2 unopposed pawn.

The Board 3 match is not a positional play by Bernard Garcia. He had only one developed piece, a knight, which was trapped and had to be exchange for 2 pawns and his opponent king will not have the opportunity to castle. But his pieces (2 rooks, a bishop and a knight) is still in their original position and really behind in development.

Before the start of the opening round, Hernandez saw the "Baku2016" World Chess Olympiad. He thought that Baku got the right to host the 2016 Olympiad. He asked the guy who is installing the TV monitor "where is Baku?" but he don't speak English and ask him to talk to the lady that's talking on her cellphone.

She said Baku is in Azerbaijan and they didn't get the right yet to host the 2016 World Chess Olympiad but they are bidding for it. She gave Roberto a gift from Azerbaijan (BAKU), a ceramic and magnetic postholder. He said to her, "I will ask our Delegate to vote for Baku".

Azerbaijan is the hometown of former world chess champion Gary Kasparov, who is running for FIDE President in Tromso, Norway, site of 2014 World Chess Olympiad.

1st round -- Qatar vs. Palau

Roberto Hernandez vs. GM Mohamad Al-Modiahkli

Elizabeth Manuel vs. GM

Bernardo Garcia vs. IM

Menandro Manuel vs. FM

Qatar Chess Team

Before the game.

Solo shot of Bernard at the bulletin board.

Menandro's turn.

Husband and wife team -- Menandro and Elizabeth.

Roberto's turn.

From left, Jan Berglund, Reuben Stewart of English Chess Federation and Jamie Kenmure.

From left, Manuel couple -- Menandro and Elizabeth, Jan Berglund, Reuben Stewart, Roberto Hernandez and Jamie Kenmure,

WORLD CHESS OLYMPIAD

ROUND 1 REPORT

THE LONG awaited 40th World Chess Olympiad began today at the Istanbul Expo Center with the games of the first round.

A record breaking 158 teams compete in the Open Section while the Women's Section has 124 teams participating.

The Turkish Minister of Youth and Sports, Suat Kilic, made the ceremonial first move for GM Shao Xue in the match China-Bangladesh. FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov and the Turkish Chess Federation President Ali Nihat Yazici were present.

As usual in the events run by Swiss pairing system, the top seeded teams faced the lower rated opposition.

Most of the world's best players participating in the Olympiad sat out of the first round. Nevertheless, world #4 Teimour Radjabov played on the first board for Azerbaijan, scoring an important victory against IM Wiedenkeller of Luxembourg. Azerbaijan won convincingly 4-0.

In the Open Section Ukraine began by defeating Iraq 4-0, in a reprise match of the opening of the 2010 Khanty-Mansiysk Olympiad, where Ukraine won the gold medal. Is the history repeating itself for Ukraine?

USA secured a perfect 4-0 score against Jordan, while Armenia scored 3-1 against Bolivia. Bolivia's first and only Grandmaster, Oswaldo Zambrana, stunned the much higher rated GM Sergei Movsesian.

Russia gained a quick 3-0 against Dominican Republic, but in one of the longest games of the day FM William Puntier held GM Evgeny Tomashevsky to a draw.

In the women's section the top seeded teams signed convincing victories. China, Russia, Georgia, USA, India and Poland scored 4-0 against Bangladesh, Bolivia, Guatemala, New Zealand, FYROM and Dominican Republic, respectively.

However, WIM Lougain Dahdal of Jordan defeated IM Lilit Galojan of Armenia to reduce the winning margin to 1-3.

WFM Gabriela Maria Avelar Bonilla from El Salvador snatched a draw from the much higher rated IM Anna Ushenina from Ukraine, however Ukraine still was victorious with 3.5-0.5 match score.

Source:

2012 World Chess Olympiad

Bulletin 1

August 28, 2012

Istanbul, Turkey