(381) 29 PALAU CHESS PLAYERS LISTED AT www.fide.com

IMPROVED RATING FOR ALL
      Everybody in this photo got or improved their ratings. From left, CM Bernardo Garcia (1722 from 1673), Baby Edna Mission (1535), Jon Manuel Reyes (hidden) (1520), Destiny Sisior (1490), Angelil Sisior (1406), Mary Frances Lopez (1356), Angie Parrado (1673 from 1551), Jeff Balbalosa (1628 from 1540) and 2012 PNCC champ Tito Cabunagan (1842 from 1814).                                                 (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)




      29 PALAU CHESS PLAYERS
       LISTED AT www.fide.com

AFTER the smoke clears in the controversial 2012 Palau National Chess Championship, the cross-table of its results were finally sent by Palau’s Rating Officer Jamie Kenmure to World Chess Federation (FIDE) last month and it’s a very heartwarming development to Palau chess to know the following facts:

Of 29 participants of the 2012 PNCC, 14 newcomers/unrated players gained their international rankings with the top 3 finishers in the Class B division climbing to the top 10.

Palau’s top woman chess player Angie Parrado reached no. 8 by adding 122 rating points to her previous 1551 to current 1673! It’s the most of all 29 players. She finished 3^rd in the Class B division.

Class B champ Dennis Gonzales moved a step higher (9^th) in the local ranking by adding 71 points to his 1600 old rating followed by his runner-up Jeff Balbalosa, who gained the 2^nd most points of 88. His current rating now is 1628 from the previous 1540.

A very good increase for Jeff who will participate in the 2013 Guam International Open Chess tournament in Feb. 15-21 together with Ksau Anthony Whipps and Joy Flores Whipps. Ksau’s initial local ranking is 24^th at 1392.

Gonzalo Escapatoria slipped from 6^th to 11^th after losing 90 points and finished last in the Class A division. He is followed at no. 12 by newcomer Miguel Hilario, Jr., who’s got his new and initial rating of 1550.

At solo 13^th is another woman and newcomer Baby Edna Mission (1535); tied at 14^th with identical 1520 rating are Nilo de Jesus, Jaime dela Cruz and Jon Manuel Reyes.

For finishing 8^th in the Class B division, surprising Destiny Sisior is at solo 17^th spot with a 1490 rating. Just a point behind is Mohammad Manik Hossain, who lost 39 points. His previous rating is 1528.

One of the 5 players of Palau Royal Resort is newcomer Luciano "Bong" Sibayan, who gained his initial rating of 1462 followed by skidding Elpidio Manaligod at 1456 after losing 60 points.

At 21^st is another PRR player who left Palau for good—Ferdinand Gutierrez, who lost 115 points and is now 1452 from his previous 1567. The biggest loser of rating points is Manuel Mahor, Jr., who lost 239 points! He’s now at 22^nd spot from his previous best of 9^th. His 1649 rating is now 1410.

Destiny’s sister Angelil is at solo 23^rd with 1406, Ksau at 24^thand tied at 25^th with an identical rating of 1370 are Geoff Martin, Dan Roldan of PRR and Zachary Techall Whipps.

The last 2 slots belong to 28^th placer Mary Frances Lopez, who’s gone to Philippines for good but still interested to be in the Palau women’s team to 2014 World Chess Olympiad in Tromso, Norway on August 01-14, 2014. Her initial rating is 1356.

Also interested to join the women’s team is the cellar dweller Paz Ngiratechekii, who had 1274. Her goal to have international rating has been achieved. It’s now time to improve by practicing and participating in all local tournaments in Palau.

There are no changes in the top 4 chess players of Palau with no. 1 Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. retaining his top position but lost 29 rating points. His previous 1943 is now 1914 while no. 2 Menandro Manuel lost 31 points from his old 1883 (now 1852). Roberto Hernandez lost 8 points and just 2 points shy of Manuel at 1850!

2012 PNCC champion Tito Cabunagan gained 28 points and now only 8 points shy of Hernandez’ rating. His previous 1814 is now 1842. The 3^rd placer Jose Celiz gained the most points in Class A division – 104. His previous 1687 is now 1791, and just 51 points shy of Tito’s rating.

Paquito‘Pax’ Suringa, Jr. slid from 5^th to 7^th by losing 17 points (1734 formerly and now 1717) while Palau’s first titled player Candidate Master Bernardo Garcia gained 49 points to climb to 6^th spot with current 1722 from the old 1673. He was 1663 during the 2012 World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey. He gained 10 points in Istanbul, gained 49 in 2012 PNCC and maybe some more points for participating in 2013 Oceania Zonal Chess Championship in Fiji in May, 2013.

Except for Celiz and Gonzales, the other 8 players in the top 10 are all committed members of Palau Chess Team to Tromso, Norway 2014 World Chess Olympiad with Montel at Board 1, Manuel at 2, Garcia at 3 and Cabunagan at 4. Roberto is reserve so that he can attend the arbiters/trainers seminar while Balbalosa will captain the women’s team and Suringa will replace anybody who will not make it.

The women’s team will headed by Angie at Board 1, Mission at 2, Lopez at 3, Joy Flores Whipps at 4. Reserve is Elizabeth Manuel while Paz Ngiratechekii will replace anybody who will not make it.

There is also a possibility of Sisior sisters making it to the women’s team or Ksau to men’s team and Eric Ksau Whipps as Head of Delegation if Senator Mlib Tmechtul is not available on Aug. 01-14, 2014.

Solution to last week’s puzzle: 1. Ne5+! Nxe5 2. Be8+ Kf8 3. Bh5 mate.

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

Source:
Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez

Tia Belau Newspaper

Pages 8-9

Volume 22

Issue 10

February 04, 2013

(377) Agenda of PCFI Annual General Meeting (TBN-Jan.28, 2013)

KSAU IS 3-1-1 VS. WOMEN PLAYERS
Ksau Anthony Whipps, left, shake hand with Mary Frances Lopez before the start of their game in the 2012 PNCC. Ksau won here in impressive fashion. He also defeated the Sisior sisters (Angelil and Destiny), lost to Palau top woman player Angie Parrado and drew with 60-year-old Paz Ngiratechekii. CM Bernardo Garcia is playing against his co-employee at Palau Pacific Resort Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. while Paquito Suringa, Jr. is watching from the sideline.
(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)






              AGENDA OF PCFI
      ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

THE FOLLOWING is the Agenda of the Annual General Meeting of Palau Chess Federation Inc. to be held at Waves Restaurant of Palau Royal Resort on February 10, 2013 from 2:00 – 5:00 pm:

AGENDA:

1:30 ATTENDANCE CHECK

2:00 OPENING PRAYER by Roberto Hernandez

2:05 AWARDING OF PRIZES – 2012 PALAU NATIONAL CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

Class B 5^th place -- Baby Edna Mission Presenter– Ms. Joy Flores Whipps

4^thplace -- Miguel Hilario, Jr. Presenter–Mr. Geoff Martin

3^rdplace – Angie Parrado Presenter – Mr. Eric Ksau Whipps

2^ndplace – Jeff Balbalosa Presenter-- Ms. Midori Kawaguchi

Champion– Dennis Gonzales Presenter– GM Masayuki Kawaguchi

Class A 4^th place – Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. Presenter – Ms. Joy Flores Whipps

3^rdplace – Jose Celiz Presenter– Mr. Eric Ksau Whipps

2^ndplace – Roberto Hernandez Presenter– Ms. Midori Kawaguchi

Champion– Tito Cabunagan Presenter– GM Masayuki Kawaguchi

2:30 FINANCIAL REPORT by Secretary/Treasurer Roberto Hernandez

2:35 RECOUNT OF VOTING FOR NOMINATION OF 2 VICE PRESIDENTS AND 3 EXECUTIVE MEMBERS

2:45 ABOLISHMENT OF PALAU CHESS FEDERATION

APPLICATION FOR A NEW ONE – PALAU CHESS FEDERATION INC.

Changes/amendments of By-Laws, Articles of Incorporation and Constitution of Palau Chess Federation Inc.

New set of officers –President –Eric Ksau Whipps; Vice President – Tito Cabunagan; Vice President –Dennis Gonzales;

Secretary/Treasurer –Roberto Hernandez; Executive Members –Jamie Kenmure, Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr., CM Bernardo

Garcia MEMBERS: 1. Menandro Manuel 2. Eugenio Pastrana 3. Paquito Suringa, Jr. 3. Jeff Balbalosa 4. Angelica Parrado

5. Tutii Joe Chilton 6. Nilo de Jesus 7. Elpidio Manaligod 8. Morton Sawaichi 9. Jose Celiz 10. Gonzalo Escapatoria 11. Jamie dela

Cruz 12. Joy Flores Whipps 13. Mohammad Manik Hossain 14. Baby Edna Mission 15. Manuel Mahor, Jr. 16. Ksau Anthony Whipps

Jon Manuel Reyes 17. Miguel Hilario, Jr. 18. Geoff Martin 19. Zachary Techall Whipps 20. Angelil Sisior 21. Paz Ngiratechekii

22. Destiny Sisior 23. Luciano Sibayan 24. Dan Roldan 25. Francis ‘Sno’ Temaungil 26. Eric Espartero 27. Flavin Andres 28. Jose Misael

De Jesus 29. Em-R de Vera 30. John Pastrana 31. Norbert Villanueva 32. Dmitri Kyle Villanueva 33. Genaro Manlaya 34. Jayrome

Soriano 35. M. J. Ngiratechekii 36. Nino Flores 37 Masum Billah 38. Akram Hossain 39. Rustom Cabuso 40. Ferdie Altea 41. Ronel

Gutierrez 42. Rey Alenain 43. Miguel Gancayco 44. Elizalde Madrinan 45. George Anzawa 46. Koichi Matsuda 47. Adele Anzawa

3:30 REVIEWING OF 2013 PCFI CALENDAR OF EVENTS

4:00 PCFI MEMBERS’ WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT TO THE 3 PARTICIPANTS OF 2013 GUAM INTERNATIONAL OPEN CHESS

TOURNAMENT ON FEB. 15-21, 2013 – Jeffrey Balbalosa, Ksau Anthony Whipps and Joy Flores Whipps.

4:10 NEXT TOURNAMENTS – RAPID AND BLITZ

RAPID– Minimum number of games to be played by each player in 2 weeks; players from the same company must play in the first 3 rounds and not in the last 3 rounds; players can play in non-sanctioned venue like PRR if one of National Arbiters (Roberto, Dennis, Bernard) is present in the area. BLITZ – kids’ registration fee is half only.

4:30 CREATION OF APPEALS COMMITTEE –Composed of Roberto Hernandez, Dennis Gonzales and CM Bernardo Garcia.

4:40 OPENING OF BANK ACCOUNT OF PCFI WITH ERIC KSAU WHIPPS AND ROBERTO HERNANDEZ AS SIGNATORIES.

4:45 2013 PALAU INVITATIONAL CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP – Invited players: Rudy Ibanez, Dr. Alfredo Paez (from Philippines), Leon Ryan + 3 players from Guam, 2 or 3 players from Australia. There are everyday flights from Guam-Palau, Palau –Guam.

4:55 LAPTOP AND SCANNER/PRINTER FOR PCFI (Bought laptop in Philippines - $500.00 (including installation of soft drives, etc.), $20.00 –mouse…

5:00 ADJOURNMENT

Solution to this week’s puzzle: 1. Qf8+!! Rxf8 2. Rxh7+ Kg8 3. Nh6 mate

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


Source:
Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Pages 8-9
Volume 22
Issue 08
January 28, 2013

(350) AS CLOSE AS IT GETS (TBN-Nov. 26, 2012)

POLO SHIRTS DONATION OF PPR
    CM Bernardo Garcia, left, shakes hands with Class A leader Roberto Hernandez before the start of their 2nd game. They are both wearing PPR polo shirts donated to Palau Chess Team to 2012 World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey.                   (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)


          AS CLOSE AT IT GETS

THE 6^th week of the 2012 Palau National Chess Championship produced one of the most exciting games of the event. It’s pivotal to Candidate Master Bernardo Garcia’s quest for a first national title after gaining his CM title in the 2012 World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey.

After drawing his game against Jose Celiz on Saturday, Nov. 17, he lost on the same day to erstwhile Palau’s number one player Menandro Manuel but bounced back with a vengeance on the next day to beat 3^rd seed Roberto Hernandez in 37 moves of English Opening and avenged his loss to Manuel with a 37-move conquest of a Nimzo-Indian Defence.

Thus, Garcia moves half point closer to Hernandez in the leadership after the latter lost another one to Gonzalo Escpatoria in 48 moves of Danish Gambit where they used a shorter time control of 45 minutes with 30 seconds increment so that Hernandez can make it on time for work and to submit his chess report to Tia Belau.

Jon Manuel Reyes lost to Baby Edna Mission, the replacement of Lenge Gibbons who can’t finish 20 games in 3 weeks. Mission, formerly known as Bheng Codinera Mendoza, whips Zachary Techall Whipps in 21 moves of King’s Pawn Opening. Reyes outwitted Mary Frances Lopez in 26 moves of English Opening.

Mission’s winning streak was extended to 3 after beating Angelil Sisor in 30 moves of King’s Pawn Opening but Angelil’s younger sister Destiny avenged her loss by snapping Mission’s streak in 35 moves of Queen’s Pawn Opening.

Current leader Jeff Balbalosa defeated the 2 women players Angie and Mary and drew with Elpidio Manaligod in 37 moves of Sicilian Defence. Martin scored a point over Parrado, for her only 3^rd loss.

Nilo de Jesus extended his winning streak to 6 by trouncing Ksau Anthony Whipps and Geoff Martin but suffered his first loss to Angie Parrado in 40 moves of Pirc Defence.

 In the Class A division, Jose Celiz clobbered Paquito Suringa, Jr. and his co-employee at PPUC Tito Cabunagan scored a convincing victory over Escapatoria.

Roberto emailed Leon Ryan, the President of Guam Echecs, to send an invitation to Mary Frances Lopez so that she can get a US visa to be able to participate in the 2013 Guam World Open Chess. Mr. Ryan will email the invitation and other relevant information about the event on Monday.

Ferdinand Gutierrez left Palau for good last Tuesday, Nov. 20. His remaining games were declared 3 wins (over Luciano Sibayan, Dan Roldan and Manuel Mahor, Jr.); 6 losses (to Balbalosa, Dennis Gonzales, de jesus, Mohammad Manik Hossain, Jaime dela Cruz and Parrado) and draws to the rest of the field.

Mahor’s standings was adjusted to a win and a loss and draws to Paz Ngiratechekii, Sibayan, Gonzales, Hossain, Parrado, Manaligod, Miguel Hilario, who will replace Freddie Gloria, Zachary Whipps, Martin and Mission.

Games on weekdays at Palau Royal Resort Dormitory 1 are no longer allowed. The games between Mission, Hilario and Lopez were held on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22 at SDA Gym. They borrowed 2 sets of chess materials before going there. Paquito and Cyril Montel, Jr. played blitz chess while 3 official games were played in which Mission prevailed over Hilario and Lopez. Hilario subdued Lopez in 33 moves of QPO.

LATEST RESULTS OF PENULTIMATE ROUND (Nov. 24) – Class A – Celiz prevailed over CM Garcia in their 2^nd game in 34 moves of Nimzo-Indian Defence; Manuel had an equal 6 wins, 6 losses card after nipping Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. in another 34 moves of King’s Indian Defence; Cabunagan swept Hernandez; Manuel swept Escapatoria, too; Celiz stays in contention with a win over Montel, Jr. and Garcia dislodged Hernandez at the top by a mere half point after sweeping Cabunagan.

Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
              Tia Belau Newspaper
              Pages 8-9
              Volume 21
              Issue 85
              November 26, 2012

(331) GAME OF THE WEEK: CELIZ VS. MANUEL

THE COUSINS
Ksau Anthony Whipps practices with cousin Zachary Techall Whipps on October 14, 2012. The entry of Techall become official when Manuel 'Jun' Mahor confirmed his participation in the Class B of 2012 PNCC. Another lady was added to the field of 18 players-- Mary Frances Lopez.
(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)



            GAME OF THE WEEK:
            CELIZ VS. MANUEL

THERE are only 3 games played in the 2^nd week action of 2012 Palau National Chess Championship but the match between 7^th seed Jose Celiz and 2^ndMenandro Manuel was one for the ages as they battled it out till the last 2 minutes of their game that lasted almost 4 hours.

In their Queen’s Gambit Declined encounter, Celiz missed a forced exchange of queens and the recovery of the go-ahead pawn of Menandro. A positional maneuvering ensued with Manuel’s king travelling 5 squares. With a little over 2 minutes left in each of their clock, Manuel was able to penetrate his queen with a check followed by a well-posted knight check that is ripe for a wonderful smothered mate.

Roberto Hernandez and Paquito Suringa, Jr. are watching their game. Manuel missed the clean smothered mate on the 50^th move of Nh3++ instead of the actual 50. … Nd3+, Hernandez showed him the most spectacular ending by sacrificing his queen without material consideration with 51. … Qg1+. If Celiz will capture with either rook or knight, the smothered mate of the knight on f2 is inevitable.

THE MOVES: Jose Celiz (White) vs. Menandro Manuel (Black) 1. D4 d5 2. C4 Nc6 3. Nc3 c6 4. Bf4 Nd7 5. C5 Nh5 6. Bd2 e5 7. E3 Nf6 8. F3 Be7 9. Bd3 b6 10. B4 Qc7 11. Ne2 h5 12. 0-0 Nf8 13. Qc2 Ne6 14. A4 Bd7 15. Ng3 exd4 16. Ne2 bxc5 17. Exd4 c4 18. Bf5 Bd6 19. Re1 h4 20. Nf1 Rb8 21. Rab1 Kf8 22. Rb2 Rg8 23. Rb1 g6 24. Bh3 g5 25. Bf5 g4 26. Bh6+ Ke7 27. Bxe6 Bxe6 28. F4 Ne4 29. Ne3 f6 30. Nxc4 Rg6 31. Nxd6 Qxd6 32. F5 Rxh6 33. Fxe6 Qxe6 34. B5 f5 35. Rc1 Rb6 36. Qb3 Qd6 37. Rxc6 Rxc6 38. bxc6 Qxc6 39. Re2 Qd7 40. Qb8 Rc6 41. Qe5+ Kd8 42. Qh8+ Kc7 43. … to be continued next issue.

Latest results of Sunday’s games:

Angie Parrado defeated Freddie Gloria in 30 moves of King’s Pawn Opening; Candidate Master Bernardo Garcia played his first game after gaining his CM title against Jojo Escapatoria and prevailed in 38 moves of English Opening.

Nilo de Jesus was asked to come in case American lawyer Scott Hess become very busy and can’t play 17 games in 6 weeks. He played an official game vs. Dennis Gonzales and prevailed in 42 moves of another King’s Pawn Opening; Dennis bounced back from defeat and dealt Angie her first loss with a 62 moves conquest of a Ruy Lopez Opening.

Neophyte 9-year-old Zachary Techall Whipps played his first tournament game and lost to 6-year-old Destiny Sisior, who gained her 2^nd win and still undefeated until she lost to Ksau Anthony Whipps, who earlier clobbered Destiny’s 9-year-old sister Angelil in 28 moves of Bishop Opening.

Techall lost to Angelil in just 5 moves of another Bishop Opening.

Jeff Balbalosa nipped Luciano ‘Bong’ Sibayan in 56 moves of another Ruy Lopez.

2^nd seed Menandro Manuel was not aware that the time control is only 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment and lost to Tito Cabunagan by time forfeit. Tito still has 37 minutes left in his clock. The time forfeit was noticed after they have made 62 moves already of their Sicilian Defence game.

Roberto Hernandez took the measure of Palau’s top chess player Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. in 48 moves of Danish Gambit where Hernandez had a whole rook advantage going into the endgame.

Paquito Suringa, Jr. and Escapatoria are still playing at press time as well as the top 2 seeds (Manuel vs. Montel, Jr.).

Jeff Martin visited the tournament venue and would like to be a member of Palau Chess Federation and to join also but the limited number of rated players prevented him to join outright. If there will be a withdrawal from the unrated players, then he could be accommodated.

Elpidio Manaligod called Hernandez and he would like to come in the evening to play his first game. After the regular games are finished, a blitz contest is planned between available players.

Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez

              Tia Belau Newspaper

              Pages 13 & 15

             Volume 21

             Issue 75

             October 22, 2012