(1527) WINNERS OF PMA CHESS IN SCHOOL'S 1st BATCH AND 2nd BATCH

 . PMA Chess in School 1^st Batch Winners—L-R Principal Abner Sanchez, Math/Chess Teacher Jennifer Angeles, 5^th placer Yumi Sadao, 4^th placer Blossom Richard, 3^rd place-Carlos Hans Manuel, 2^nd place-Reece Reklai, champion Lancy Lazarus and Roberto Hernandez.
                                            (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

PMA Chess in School 2^nd Batch Winners—L-R Principal Sanchez, Jennifer, 3^rd placer Himari Tono, 2^nd place-Secheriang Senior, champion—Ksau Anthony Whipps and Roberto Hernandez.

                                               (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

           WINNERS OF P.M.A.

          CHESS IN SCHOOL'S

      1st BATCH AND 2nd BATCH

ON THURSDAY, May 24, 2018 I was invited to attend the awarding ceremony of Palau Missionary Academy in Airai that includes also the awarding of medals to the winners of PMA Chess in School’s 1^st and 2^nd batch. I have donated 6 medals, in which 2 are my medals in participating in Palau local tournaments. It’s a sort of “recycle” medals while the 2 chess magazines are from 2016 World Chess Olympiad in Baku, Azerbaijan—“New in Chess” featuring the comeback of Garry Kasparov and the 2014 Chess Yearbook of FIDE.

            I have taken photos of outstanding students in different fields. Some Chinese, Koreans, Japanese have received recognitions in a variety of collective talents. My former chess/piano student Dichem Tmechtul is late and got her certificate later. Also Nobu Yano, the younger brother of my former piano/chess student Jasmine Yano. He’s grown up big that he is maybe taller than his parents.

                When the awarding for the chess winners was announced, Principal Abner Sanchez called me to award the prizes together with Math/Chess teacher Jennifer Angeles. She was one of the exam takers that passed the Arbiters’ Seminar conducted by IA/IO Jamie Kenmure in May 2017 together with me (No. 1), Angie Parrado (2^nd), Tito Cabunagan (3^rd) and Jennifer.

                In the 1^st Batch of PMA Chess in School, 16 students participated—1^st (Champion) Lancy Lazarus with 14.5 points followed by Reece Reklai, who’s got 14 pts. He joined the Junior Division of 2017 Palau National Chess Championship and finished 2^nd likewise in his division. Principal Abner awarded him the silver medal that he didn’t get during the awarding of prizes for the 2017 PNCC.

                Third place goes to Carlos Hans Manuel (11 pts), while 4^th is Blossom Richard with Yumi Sadao (5^th), Kazumi Chibana (6^th), Lincoln Kikuo(7^th), J-Lyn Singeo (8^th), Yangi Senior(9^th), Julianna Quintanilla (10^th), Jaymee Remoket(11^th), Seth Paulus (12^th), Kukumai Ueki (13^th), Turang Marino (14^th), Moriama Tucker (15^th), and 16^th Luka Ngirailild.

                 In the 2^nd Batch, Ksau Anthony Whipps topped the 9-player batch with an unbeaten record of 15 wins and a draw (against Japanese girl Himari Tono, who finished 3^rd) followed by Secheriang Senior.

                                                      MORE ABOUT BATUMI

 Batumi is one of the most distinguished tourist destinations on the Black Sea, Adjara region, Georgia. Batumi’s juxtaposition of ancient and modern architecture, its historical port, serene botanical garden, Seaside Boulevard, European squares and streets—not to mention its world class hotels, restaurants, cafes and bars, make up the face of modern Batumi.

                It is important to note that in 2012 American Academy of Hospitality Sciences nominated Batumi as the best tourist destination of the year.

                In the second half of the 19^th century European architects flocked to Batumi and designed numerous unique architectural designs. Development of Batumi was closely connected with the global economic and industrial development. During this period the Nobel Brothers and the Rothschild family started their commercial activities in Batumi.

                Batumi today is still distinguished by modern architecture and abundance of investments. In addition, modern Batumi is a cultural center in Georgia hosting numerous international festivals with participation of famous musicians and artists.

                The country code is +995 and the area code for Batumi is +995 422. Olympiad participants can purchase sim cards of different companies. Please note that maximum 10 sim cards can be bought under presenting one passport. The price for the sim card is 3 Lari. There are many Wi-Fi zones throughout the city that enable visitors to use the internet for free.

                Solution to last week’s puzzle No. 3488: 1. Qc3!  bxc3 2. Rh4#

                This week’s puzzle No. 3489: White to move and mates in 2 (Solution next issue)



Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
               Tia Belau Newspaper
               Pages 9 & 11
               Volume 27
               Issue 36
               May 29, 2018

               Chess and Music (Perfect Combination)
               The Beginning of Chess in Palau
               By Roberto Hernandez
               Soon to be published as a book

               Music and Me by Roberto Hernandez
               Tia Belau Newspaper
               March 15, 2012 -- April 18, 2013
               http://palau-chess.blogspot.com
               April 25, 2013 --May 28, 2018

               The History of Chess in Palau 
               By Roberto Hernandez
               June 09, 2002 -- May 28, 2018

(1456) UPSETS AT SPECIAL GAMES; RUSTUM, PAX NIP CYRIL, TITO (TBN-Dec. 11, 2017)

PMA CHESS IN SCHOOL LECTURE

              This is the complete class of 2017 Chess in School at Palau Mission Academy—16 students who are now competing in the first ever Blitz Chess Tournament. I’ve conducted a 45-minute lecture to them in Nov. 20 about opposition and Danish Gambit. I have visited them again in the 7^th, 8^th and 9^th round. Standout Reece Reklai competed in the just concluded 2017 PNCC and finished 2^nd in the Junior Division. He will come in the 10^th round of Top 10 division to practice with better players.

                                                   (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

     UPSETS AT SPECIAL GAMES;

   RUSTUM, PAX NIP CYRIL, TITO

  THREE special games were held at the office of Baby Edna Mission on Thursday, Dec. 07 with Tito Cabunagan dealing Leif Toribiong his 9^th straight losses. But the highlights of the night were the upsets of Rustum Cabuso and Paquito ‘Pax’ Suringa, Jr. to top seed Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. and Tito respectively. Snacks and refreshment were served to make the special games a sort of a ‘reunion’.

                Pax hanged on to his one pawn advantage to the endgame to force Tito’s resignation with his 2 pawns ready to be gobbled up by Pax. Rustum, meanwhile, won a knight on the 13^th move and threatens mate on the 27^th move. Cyril has to give up his queen to thwart the mate and make it a rook + pawn for the queen. Rustum is ready to win more materials when Cyril resigned on the 41^st move of their Queen’s Indian Defense clash.

 THE MOVES:

Montel, Jr. Cyril Tomas (1868) - Cabuso, Rustum (1662) [E12]

2017 PNCC Top 12 Division (11), 07.12.2017

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.a3 b6 4.Nc3 d5 5.e3 Bb7 6.Nf3 Nbd7 7.Bd3 c5 8.0–0 Bd6 9.Nb5 Bb8 10.b4 a6 11.Nc3 Qc7 12.cxd5 cxd4 13.exd4 Qxc3 14.dxe6 fxe6 15.Qe2 Bd5 16.Bb2 Qc7 17.Rac1 Qd8 18.Bxa6 0–0 19.Ne5 Bd6 20.Nc6 Qe8 21.Bb7 Qg6 22.g3 Rae8 23.Ne5 Nxe5 24.dxe5 Bxb7 25.exd6 Ne4 26.d7 Ng5 27.h4 Nf3+ 28.Qxf3 Bxf3 29.dxe8Q Rxe8 30.Rc7 e5 31.Rfc1 Qf6 32.a4 Re7 33.Rc8+ Kf7 34.a5 Qe6 35.Kh2 g5 36.Rh8 Kg6 37.Rcc8 gxh4 38.Rcg8+ Rg7 39.Re8 hxg3+ 40.fxg3 Qa2          0–1

            I visited the ongoing Palau Mission Academy Blitz Chess Tournament in Airai on Wed. Dec. 06 before teaching my new piano/chess student Gray at 3:30 and Nick Nehez from 4-6pm.

                PMA standout Reece Reklai, 2^nd place in the just concluded 2017 PNCC Junior Division, is leading with a perfect 6-0 slate but lost to the current 2^nd placer Lancy Lazarus. He is lucky to defeat Carlos Manuel when his opponent committed an illegal move and I have to remind them that an illegal move in a blitz tourney is a loss to that player. Lancy is now leading the tilt by a hairline (half point).

                Other players in the running for the title are Blossom Richard, Julianna Quintanilla, Yumi Sadao, Jaymee Remoket, J-Lyn Singeo and Manuel.

                When I gave a 45-minute lecture to them (16 students) on Nov. 20, they were treated to a position where a king on d1 and a pawn on d2 vs. a king on d8 is not always a win if the defender is witty enough to draw it. All of them, except Reece, moved the pawn instead of the king to get the opposition.

                I also taught them one defense—The Dreaded Danish Gambit—1. E4 e5 2. D4 exd4 3. C3 dxc3 4. Bc4 cxb2 5. Bxb2 Bb4+ 6. Nc3 Nf6 7. Nge2 Nxe4 8. 0-0 Nxc3 9. Nxc3 0-0 10. Nd5 Bc5 and told them “Let the fireworks begin!” Sacrifice the knight on 11. Nf6 gxf6 12. Qg4+ Kh8 13. Qh4 threatening to win the queen. The only defense is 13. … Bd7 and after 14. Bd3, it’s mate in 2. Only Reece was able to follow it.

                The 16 students appreciate my presence that day and they are looking forward for more lessons from me. I will be very busy with caroling, 8 students (chess and music) but I can be available before my lessons to Gray and Nick.

                SDA Principal Nelson Sisior has contacted me on Dec. 08 to tune the PMA piano on the day that I am available. I said before lunch on Wed. Dec. 13 to tune the piano for 2-3 hours, then visit the 10^th and 11^th round of PMA Chess in School Blitz Chess tournament; teach Gray 1 hour lesson (30 minutes chess, 30 minutes piano) and finally 1 hour chess and 1 hour piano to Nick. Then I have to go back to Palau Royal Resort for work at 7-11pm.

                Solution to last week’s puzzle No. 3795: 1. Rxg5+ Kf7 2. Qh7+ Kf8 3. Rg8#

                This week’s puzzle No. 3796: White to move and mates in 3 (Solution next issue) 

Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez

               Tia Belau Newspaper

               Pages 9 & 11

               Volume 26

               Issue 98

               December 11, 2017

              Chess and Music (Perfect Combination)

              The Beginning of Chess in Palau

              By Roberto Hernandez

              Soon to be published as a book

              Music and Me by Roberto Hernandez

              Tia Belau Newspaper

              March 15, 2012 -- April 18, 2013

              http://palau-chess.blogspot.com

              April 25, 2013 -- December 11, 2017

              The History of Chess in Palau

              By Roberto Hernandez

              June 09, 2002 -- December 11, 2017