(695) BRIAN JONES SIMUL (Feb. 25, 2014) Island Paradise Resort Club Medalai, Koror, Palau

     
1.    Brian Jones is talking to Eric Ksau Whipps on how the simul is played -- He will be having all the white pieces. His opponents will move only when he comes come to them so that he can see what are their moves. The participants can pass if he/she is not ready yet to make a move.
                                       (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

2.   Right to left -- New member Ojhea Mae Figueroa Perdon, Tito Cabunagan's daughter Beth, Cris Ulap, Ksau Anthony Whipps and Moded Samantha Surangel.     (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

3. Youngest participant 6-year-old Kyarii Sisior, left and the oldest, former Senator Surangel Whipps, Sr. (Eric's dad), who uses a unique chess set made of coconut wood and materials.
                                                            (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

Beth Cabunagan, right, had her king traveled from e8 to c2 where it was mated. The daughter is Tito Cabunangan is just learning chess just like her mom.              (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

Moded Samantha Surangel is a former piano student of Roberto Hernandez. When her former music teacher came back to Palau, she shifted to playing flute and take a break from piano. Her younger sister Ultei Angelei is now taking chess lessons from Roberto in preparation for 2014 World Youth Chess Champiponship is South Africa.                           (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

(521) 2013 PNCC STARTS AUG. 04 (TBN-July 22, 2013)

THE 2013 PNCC IS A FAMILY AFFAIR
     Women's Division top seed Angie Parrado, middle, and her 2 daughters
are participating in 2013 PNCC while Palau's top player Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr., right, and his daughter Cyrelle Ann, Tito Cabunagan and his wife Lilibeth, Eric Ksau Whipps and his wife Joy and son Ksau Anthony, Rafael Paloma and his wife Gladys and Roberto Hernandez and his wife Flor are all participants. TRULY A FAMILY CHESS AFFAIR! Paquito 'Pax' Suringa, Jr., left, split his match vs. Cyril in this photo of 2013 Blitz Chess Championship.                                     (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)




      

  

      2013 PNCC STARTS AUG. 4

THE 2013 edition of Palau National Chess Championship will go down in Palau chess history as the most family-oriented national championship.

The participants in the Top 12 Division are:

1. Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr.
2. Roberto Hernandez
3. Tito Cabunagan
4. Jose Celiz
5. CM Bernardo Garcia
6. Paquito Suringa, Jr.
7. Eugenio Pastrana
8. Dennis Gonzales
9. Jeffrey Balbalosa
10. Nilo de Jesus
11. Gonzalo Escapatoria
12. Rafael Paloma
The time control in this division is the same time control of World Chess Olympiad --90 minutes for each player to make 40 moves, an additional 30 more minutes to finish the game with 30 seconds increment starting from move 1.
Reserves Division:

1.   Miguel Hilario, Jr.  

2. Mohammad Manik Hossain

3. Jaime dela Cruz
4. Jon Manuel Reyes
5. Eric Ksau Whipps
6. Elpidio Manaligod
7. Remrel Dizon
8. Eugene Labarda
9. John Joseph Pabiona
10. Alfredo Pacenos, Jr.
11. Rustum Cabuso
12. Herbert Galiza
13. Fernan John Velarde

TIME CONTROL -- 90 minutes for each player to finish the game with 30 seconds increment starting from move 1.

WOMEN'S DIVISION:

1. Angie Parrado
2. Gladys Paloma
3. Baby Edna Mission
4. Joy Flores Whipps
5. Lilibeth Cabunagan
6. Paz Ngiratechekii
7. Ma. Florida Hernandez
8. Leizl Michael
9. Remelyn Pascual

TIME CONTROL -- 75 MINUTES for each player to finish the game with 30 seconds increment starting from move 1.

JUNIORS DIVISION:

1. Cyrelle Ann Montel
2. Ksau Anthony Whipps
3. George Anzawa
4. Destiny Sisior
5. Zachary Techall Whipps
6. Angelil Sisior
7. Ron-Ron Mission

TIME CONTROL -- 60 minutes for each player to finish the game with 30 seconds increment starting from move 1.


THE DATE OF THE TOURNAMENT IS AUGUST 04- OCTOBER 06, 2013.

The women's division is exactly the order of Boards to the 2014 World Chess Olympiad in Tromso, Norway from August 01-14, 2014.

Board 1 - Angie Parrado
Board 2- Gladys Paloma
Board 3- Baby Edna Mission
Board 4- Joy Flores Whipps
Reserve - Elizabeth Manuel
Team Captain - Lilibeth Cabunagan

Men's (Open) Division:

Board 1 - Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr.
Board 2 - Menandro Manuel
Board 3 - CM Bernardo Garcia
Board 4 - Tito Cabunagan
Reserve - Roberto Hernandez
Team Captain - Jamie Kenmure (Australia)
Delegate - Jan Berglund (Sweden)

* If Hernandez will be the Head of Delegation, the reserve slot will be contested by Mohammad Manik Hossain, Jeffrey Balbalosa and Paquito Suringa, Jr. via playoff.

* If Eric Ksau Whipps will be the Head of Delegation, Manuel will be Board 2 and Hernandez will be the reserve and the reserve spot will be closed for Manik, Jeff and Paquito.
    If this happens, there will be 3 husbands and wives in the Palau Chess Team to 2014 World Chess Olympiad in Tromso, Norway--Menandro and Elizabeth Manuel, Tito and Lilibeth Cabunagan and Eric Ksau and Joy Flores Whipps.
     Another option to accommodate Manik, Jeff and Paquito is to have Hernandez be the Delegate if there is no communication with Mr. Berglund till March 2014. Mr. Berglund is Palau's Delegate to 3 consecutive Olympiads.

Other players with relations to each other are:
   Top player Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. has a daughter, Cyrelle Ann Montel, who is also the top junior player of Palau.

   Palau's top woman chess player Angie Parrado has 2 daughters, Angelil and Destiny Sisior who are among the top junior players of Palau.

   Newly elected Palau Chess Federation President Eric Ksau Whipps had a wife and a son that represent Palau in 2013 Guam International Chess tournament held from Feb. 15-21, 2013. Eric's nephew Zachery Techall Whipps is also listed in the junior division.

   Gladys Paloma, Palau's 2nd ranked woman player, is married to Rafael Paloma, who is rapidly gaining ground after making it to the semifinals of 2013 Palau Rapid Chess Championship in Feb. - April.

   Roberto Hernandez is married to Ma. Florida Hernandez for 30 years. Flor was the women's champion of the inaugural Ambassador Marino Cup Rapid Chess tournament in June-July 2006.

    Eugenio Pastrana has a son, Ken, who was the only undefeated champion of the junior division of Ambassador Marino Cup Rapid Chess tournament.

    Ken is inactive now in chess and was taught by Roberto Hernandez how to play keyboard. He's been Roberto's best student so far and he's now playing professionally with The U Juan Band.

   Baby Edna Mission has a 16-year-old son who will be joining for the first time in a Palau chess tournament. He is interested to join the team in Norway but it’s a very slim chance to make it because of the crowded situation in the Men’s (Open) team.
   If that happens, it will really be a family-oriented Palau Chess Team to Tromso, Norway’s 2014 World Chess Olympiad!


Solution to last week’s puzzle: 1. Rh5+!! gxh5 2. Qf5+ Kh4 3. Qxh5 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 58
             July 22, 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)

(434) LAST 3 WEEKS OF RAPID CHESS TILT (TBN-April 08, 2013)

CHESS PLAYING WHIPPS FAMILY
At left, Joy Flores Whipps whips Paz Ngiratechekii while her husband Eric Ksau, middle, struggled and lost to Mohammad Manik Hossain. Their son Ksau Anthony Whipps, 2nd from right, lost to Cyrell Ann Montel. Michael Jordan Ngiratechekii, right, is eating ice cream courtesy of venue hosts Tito and Lilibeth Cabunagan.
(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)



                LAST 3 WEEKS OF 2013
                    RAPID CHESS TILT

THE last 3 weeks of 2013 Palau Rapid Chess Tournament will be held in the same venue with some withdrawals in both Group A and B. But immediate replacement by 2 players from Palau Royal Resort has somehow eased the tension in classifying the top 4 semifinalists in each group.

Ronel Gutierrez took the place of No. 1 in the Group A Franz Bawotong while Rey Alenain took the spot of No. 4 Geoffrey Martin. This is the first step for both players to gain their international rankings (Rapid). They will be eligible to play in any other international competition representing Palau in the future.

Number 5 slot is still occupied by former chairman of Palau Chess Federation Francis ‘Sno’Temaungil. This will be Sno’s chance to have international ranking.

The former No. 7 of Palau and No. 8 in the list Gonzalo Escapatoria is very busy during Sunday and skipped the tournament due to an opportunity to make some extra income working on Sundays.

The No. 9 Dan Roldan and No. 15 Luciano Sibayan, both from PRR are still listed so that they can have their rapid ratings aside from standard which is 1370 and 1462 respectively.

The No. 11 is now vacant—the slot for former Senator Surangel Whipps, Sr. and No. 13 slot for Kenyan Nasser Okoth.

In Group B, No. 2 (David Wong) and No. 9 (Joey Balute) are the only vacant slots. The slots for No. 1 Nilo de Jesus, No. 5 Jaime dela Cruz, No. 7 Elpidio Manaligod are left as it is so that they will have separate international rankings in rapid version.

The semifinalists in Group A are Roberto Hernandez, Paquito Suringa, Jr., Jeff Balbalosa and either of Rafael Paloma or Miguel Hilario, Jr. depending on the results of their last crucial games. The most crucial is their game itself. If Rafael will win, he’s in but if he will lose, Miguel can tie him if he will win also his game against Paquito.

In Group B, the semifinalists are Tito Cabunagan, Dennis Gonzales, Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. and Mohammad Manik Hossain. The order will be the same if Dennis will win all his remaining matches including his game against Cyril and Manik. Jose Celiz is still on vacation and he will not have enough time to catch up. His last remaining games will be declared as draws and his 2 losses to Dennis and Cyril stands.

Next Sunday, April 14 is the start of semifinals that will feature No. 1 against No. 4 and No. 2 vs. No. 3 of both groups. The winners will then play one game to determine the finalists for final day on April 21.

The women’s division had added Ma. Florida Hernandez as the 8^th player to the group so that she can have international rating also.

Jaime dela Cruz will be making the wooden trophies of this event made from mahogany wood. Two trophies in the shape of King and Rook are for the finalists of Men’s group, 3 are for women’s and 3 are for juniors.

Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez

Tia Belau Newspaper

Pages 9 & 11

Volume 22

Issue 28

April 08, 2013

(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.