(1496) PRACTICE/PAYMENT DAY ON MARCH 25, 2018 AT ERNGUUL PARK (TBN-March 26, 2018)

: COUSINS THEY ARE – Omgi and Yars Tmetchul

                   During the 2017 Arbiters’ Seminar held in Palau in May 13-17 by IA, IO Jamie Kenmure, my first piano lesson to Yars Tmechtul, left, was cancelled due to her sickness. Nine months later, it was resumed while Omgi started her piano lesson a few weeks later. When I go to Saipan for 2018 PMCC Pacific Fellowship, Omgi and her parents are behind me in the line at the immigration in Guam in Feb. 22, 2018. There’s an intense interest of learning for kids if there is competition among them like what happened in March 07, 2018 where I teach them both at the house of Mr. Alex Merep, Omgi’s grandfather.          (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

         PRACTICE/PAYMENT DAY ON

   MARCH 25, 2018 AT ERNGUUL PARK

                THE WEEK prior to the Opening Day of 2018 Palau Rapid Chess Championship was designated to be the practice/payment day of the event. The fee is $5.00 for registration and $20.00 for one-year membership to PCF. The NO PAY, NO PLAY Policy will be implemented.

                The World Chess Federation (FIDE) is always sending PCF the following statement every year which I always fill-up because I have all the records regarding the information they required… 

Dear Mr. President, We bring to your attention an extract from the FIDE Handbook, A01. FIDE Statutes, Chapter 02 – Membership."2.4. The members must acknowledge and observe the statutes, regulations, resolutions and decisions of FIDE. They are also obliged to pay the membership fees and the other FIDE contributions fixed by the General Assembly at the designated time. 

Moreover they are obliged to support FIDE actively in all chess activities. Each member federation is required to send to the Secretariat any changes in its address or officers within one month of such change. Each member is required to send to the Secretariat at the latest by April 1st of each year a report containing the following information:  

          a. the name, address and email address of the Federation;

                             Palau Chess Federation P. O. Box 295 Koror, Palau 96940      robert_flor31154@yahoo.com

b. the name and email address of the President (who, regardless of his title within the federation, shall be referred to as such within these Statutes and any other FIDE regulations);

                             Eric Ksau Surangel Whipps  eric@surangel.com      ksau77@gmail.com

c. the name and email address of the General Secretary;

                            Roberto A. Hernandez        robert_flor31154@yahoo.com

d. the name and email address of the officer who is the intermediary between the member and FIDE (the Delegate);      Eric Ksau Surangel Whipps   eric@surangel.com        ksau77@gmail.com

e. the names of the national champions:

     http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2016/01/1153-palau-chess-champions-from-2002.html

    2006 – Manuel Nedic; Menandro Manuel

    2007 – Antonio Villa; Roberto Hernandez

    2008 – Menandro Manuel       2009 – Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr.       2010 – Menandro Manuel

    2011 – Tito Cabunagan; Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr.; Roberto Hernandez

    2012—Tito Cabunagan;  2013—Jose Celiz; Angelica Parrado (Women); Ksau Anthony Whipps (Junior)

    2014—Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr.; Angelica Parrado (Women); Destiny Sisior (Junior)

    2015—Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr.; Angelica Parrado (Women); Angelil Sisior (Junior)

    2016—Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr.; Baby Edna Mission (Women); Angelil Sisior (Junior)

    2017—Santiago Jr. Tan; Angelica Parrado (Women); Angelil Sisior (Junior)

f. the title and address of the official bulletin, if any;           Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez

    Tia Belau News (Every Mon.), Kebtot El Blai Building Medalii, Koror, Palau (Dec. 29, 2002 – Present)

g. the numbers of players belonging directly or indirectly to the federation on January 1st of the year in question, or, if this is not possible, at the end of the previous fiscal year;

     348                   http://palau-chess.blogspot.com/2014/04/palau-chess-federation-members.html

When a federation does not supply the data mentioned in sub (g), the Secretariat shall determine the number of members, after consultation with the President of the Zone. The same procedure shall be applied when the data given by the federation contains obvious mistakes.

2.5. Members not fulfilling the duties mentioned in Art. 2.4 may be temporarily excluded from FIDE by a decision of the General Assembly/Executive Board/Presidential Board and permanently excluded from FIDE by a decision of the General Assembly."

More information from Chapter 02 - Membership can be found herehttp://www.fide.com/fide/handbook.html?id=39&view=article 

Please send to the FIDE Secretariat office@fide.com at the latest by April
1st a report containing the above mentioned information.

Thank you in advance. Best regards, Elista FIDE Office

                Solution to last week’s puzzle No. 4375: 1…Bxb5+! 2. cxb5 Rd4+ 3. Bc4 Rcxc4# or 3. …Rdxc4#

                This week’s puzzle No. 4376: Black to move and mates in 3 (Solution next issue)

Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez

               Tia Belau Newspaper

               Pages 9-10

               Volume 27

               Issue 24

               March 26, 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 -- March 26, 2018

             The History of Chess in Palau

             By Roberto Hernandez

             June 09, 2002 -- March 26, 2018

(1462) AWARDINGS 0F 2017 PNCC Qualifying, Top 12, Women, Junior and Reserves (TBN-Dec. 24, 2017)

: NEW PALAU CHAMPION, NM-THE FASTEST EVER

                Santiago, Jr. Tan aka Bobot Tan, became the fastest chess player ever to be Palau’s National Master by winning the 2017 PNCC by a hairline over defending champ Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. They both finished with 9 points in 12 games but Bobot won on tiebreak. Eric Ksau Whipps, right, is awarding him the trophy and certificate with me at left in the awarding ceremony held in Dec.19 at his residence. Bobot, thus, became a member of Palau Chess Team to 2018 World Chess Olympiad in Batumi, Georgia. He’s not even one year working in Palau and won the 2017 Palau Rapid Chess Championship. ANOTHER CHESS TALENT HAS BEEN DISCOVERED IN PALAU!

                                          (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

        AWARDINGS OF 2017 PNCC ---

           Qualifying, Top 12, Women,

                    Junior and Reserves

AFTER the Palau Chess Federation Board Meeting on Monday, Dec. 18, it was decided to hold the awarding for the participants of 2017 PNCC the next day at Eric Whipps’ residence in Malakal.

                In short notice, Angelo Salvadora was tasked to prepare the trophies for the Top 12 Division champion Bobot Tan, Women’s champion Angelica Parrado-Sisior and Junior champion Angelil Sisior.

                He was also tasked to make the stickers for the medals which are in my possession. Medals will be given to Top 12 1^st Runner-Up Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. (silver) and 2^nd Runner-Up Tito Cabunagan (bronze); Women’s Division 1^st Runner-Up Baby Edna Mission (silver), 2^nd Runner-Up Jennifer Angeles (bronze); Junior Division’s 1^st Runner-Up Reece Reklai (silver), 2^nd Runner-Up Destiny Sisior (bronze); Reserves champion Wilson Barrameda (gold), 1^st Runner-Up Neph Macasaet (silver) and 2^nd Runner-Up Joel Gemota (bronze).

                The awarding/gathering will start at 5:30 with the catered food for 40 persons supposed to come at 6:00pm but didn’t arrive yet before I left for work at 6:50pm. While it is still bright, I started to take photos of the attendees with great background of rock islands, boats and pristine paradise views found only in Palau.

                When Angelo comes with the trophies and stickers, we realized that the 6 medals that I brought are not enough so I go back to PRR to get the others. As in the Board Meeting, we forgot to have a short prayer to be led by me before the start of the awarding. While arranging the stickers of the medals, Eric is  signing the beautifully designed certificates of participation that states: CERTIFICATE OF PARTICIPATION       The Palau Chess Federation recognizes  _______________ for participating in the 2017 Palau National Chess Championships (2017 PNCC Top 12 Division) with rating of ____ Chess tournament held on October 8-December 17, 2017 at Ernguul Park, Koror, Republic of Palau

(Signed) Eric Ksau Whipps PCF President/Delegate (12/19/17) with logo of PCF and FIDE at lower right.

                Those were given to the present participants including the medals and trophies if the recipient is also have medal/trophy like Joel Gemota, Gonzalo, Bobot, Wilson Barrameda (who has a proxy), Bheng, Angie, Jennifer, Destiny, and Angelil.

                Angelica Magno was the only absent in the Women’s Division while in the Junior, Reece, Nicholas Nehez (vacation in USA), and Gian Gabriel Claronino didn’t make it. Present in the junior are Aome Angeles, Michael and Rommel Gulla, Gian Paloma and the Sisior sisters. Absent in the Top 12 Division were Jeff Balbalosa, Leif Toribiong, Paquito ‘Pax’ Suringa, Jr. and Manuel ‘Jun’ Mahor, Jr. (who thought that the awarding is on Wed., Dec. 20) and Tito Cabunagan (in Japan).

                Jennifer also updated me in the PMA Chess in Schools Blitz Chess Tournament that has only 2 games left not being played yet. These 2 games have no bearing in the final standings of the event where Lancy Lazarus edged Reece Reklai for the championship by a mere half point! After losing to Lancy in the middle round, Reece won all his remaining games to keep on target for the title but Lancy won also his last remaining games to close the door for a Reece comeback.

                Those last 2 games have been played on Thu. Dec. 21. Jennifer will update me about the final standings of the first blitz chess tourney of the first Chess in School in Palau that started in Aug. 30, 2017. Efforts will be made by PCF to convince other schools like Mindszenty High School to have Chess in School also. Palau has 1 FIDE Instructor, 6 National Instructors and 7 Developmental Instructors that can volunteer in teaching chess in schools.

                Jennifer also asked me to be a lecturer again at PMA Chess in School sometime in Jan. 2018. My first lecture there was in Nov. 20, 2017 where every 16 students have a good time with the tactic of opposition and learning the dreaded Danish Gambit.

                Solution to last week’s puzzle No. 3719: 1. Nc5+! Qxc5 or dxc5 2. Nxc7+ Qxc7 3. Qe4#

        This week’s special Christmas puzzle No. 4328: Black to move- mates in 3 (Solution next issue)

                ($5.00 each will be given to the first 5 persons who can solve this)

Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez

               Tia Belau Newspaper

               Pages 9-10

               Volume 26

               Issue 98

               December 24, 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 25, 2017

              The History of Chess in Palau

              By Roberto Hernandez

              June 09, 2002 -- December 25, 2017

(1458) PHOTOS -- PENULTIMATE ROUND OF 2017 PNCC (Bethlehem Park - December 10, 2017)

PHOTOS ---

PENULTIMATE ROUND OF 2017

PALAU NATIONAL CHESS 

CHAMPIONSHIP

(Bethlehem Park - Dec. 10, 2017)

Dennis Gonzales, right, improves his chance to make it to 2018 World Chess Olympiad in Batumi, Georgia when he clobbered Leif Toribiong, left, in the penultimate round of 2017 Palau National Chess Championship. In the middle is Angelo Salvadora, who will face top seed and defending champ Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. in the final round. A win or a draw is all he needs to make it. Dennis needs to win his last 2 games (vs. Cyril and Jeff Balbalosa) to be his only chance--nothing less.
                               (All photos by Roberto Hernandez)

Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
               Tia Belau Newspaper
               December 29, 2002 -- December 13, 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 13, 2017

               The History of Chess in Palau
               By Roberto Hernandez
               June 09, 2002 -- December 13, 2017

(1457) MUSIC AND ME (Sept. 21, 2017) EMBARRASSING TO TOURISTS

(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

                                                                                                          

(1311) MUSIC AND ME (Sept. 15, 2016) LUCKY TO HAVE SHANE ABELLERA --My Best Guitar Student!

WE BOTH LIKE CLASSIC AND OLD SONGS
     I've never had a guitar student as talented and well-educated, with music of the 60's, 70's and 80's as Shane Abellera. I learned more from him than all my guitar students combined! I'm very lucky to have a student like him.
                              (Photo by Shane Abellera)



LUCKY TO HAVE SHANE ABELLERA-
          My Best Guitar Student!

When I teach guitar to Brandon Kyle Lagmay Soriano, I was recommended by the mother of one of my girl keyboard  students. I charge him the same as that girl -- $8.00/hour if it is twice a week.

Kyle's parents, Bruce and Violet Soriano, then recommended me to teach Shane Abellera and his cousin Samantha Tsao.

When I talk to her mom, Noel, about the day and time of their music lessons, she said, "You're a very busy man." It's because I told her my hectic schedule from Monday-Saturday with Japanese, Filipinos, Palauans, Taiwanese - including the Minister of Taiwan Embassy Joseph Ma.

We agreed on teaching Shane and Sam at Shane's house on Friday-- 2:30-3:30 for Sam and 3:30-4:30 to Shane and then I will proceed to teach Kyle guitar at 5-6pm.

On the next day, Saturday morning, one hour each again for Sam - 8-9am and Shane 9-10am.

I tried teaching Sam guitar on Fridays and keyboard on Sat. and it works well. Sam has learned guitar earlier so she's much better than Kyle.

When I teach Shane keyboard, the result is discouraging. He's really not for keyboard or piano. I also discovered that Shane is a Beatles fanatic. He's got a thick book with all Beatles songs and the years of those songs. I have many hand-write songs of the Beatles -- about 67, and many of those, I don't know the years that those are written.



  





One of the most interesting story I've learned from Shane is this epic story of Simon & Garfunkel's "The Sounds of Silence". 

  

 

HERE ARE SOME OF SHANE'S REPERTOIRE:

1. American Pie (Don McClean)
2. Across The Universe (Beatles)
3. A Day In The Life (Beatles)
4. Act Naturally (Beatles)
5. A Little Help from my Friends (Beatles)
6. Jambalaya (Carpenters, Hank Williams)
7. The Lady Wants To Know (Michael Franks)
8. Uptown Girl (Billy Joel)
9. Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da (Beatles)
10. Two of Us (Beatles)
11. Rocky Racoon (Beatles)
12. Golden Slumbers (Beatles)
13. Rock N Roll Music (Beatles)
14. A Little Help From my Friends (Beatles)
15. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Beatles)
16. Hotel California (Eagles)
17. I'm A Believer (The Monkeys)
18. Lost in Love (Air Supply)
19. Free Fallin'
20. Mud on the Tire (Bradley Pease)
21. Surfin' USA (Beach Boys)
22. California Girls (Beach Boys)
23. Don't Be Cruel (Elvis Presley)
24. Take Me Home, Country Roads (John Denver)
25. Oh Carol (Neil Sedaka)
26. Live and Let Die (Paul McCartney and Wings)
27. Crazy Little Thing Called Love (Queen)
28. We Are The Champions (Queen)
29. I Can't Get No Satisfaction (Rolling Stones)
30. Black Magic Woman (Santana)
31. Top of The World (Carpenters)
32. Everyday (Buddy Holly and the Crickets)
33. In My Life (Beatles)
34. Crocodile Rock (Elton John)
35. Hound Dog (Elvis Presley)
36. Daydream Believer (The Monkeys)
37. Always on my Mind (Willie Nelson)
38. It's Nice to be With You (The Monkeys) 
39. I Wanna Be Free (The Monkeys)
40.Sweet Caroline (Neil Diamond)
41. Love on the Rocks (Neil Diamond)
42. Day Tripper (Beatles)
43. Help (Beatles)
44. Annie's Song (John Denver)
45. Sunshine on my Shoulder (John Denver)
46. Ben (Michael Jackson)
47. The Gambler (Kenny Rogers)
48. Coward of the County (Kenny Rogers)
49. Woman (John Lennon)
50. Jailhouse Rock (Elvis Presley)
51. Proud Mary (Creedence Clearwater Revivial)
52. Homeward Bound (Simon and Garfunkel)
53. Wonderful Christmastime
54. Pipes of Peace (Paul McCartney)
55. Ring of Fire (Johnny Cash)
56. Let It Be (Beatles)
57. Yesterday (Beatles)
58. Oh My Love (John Lennon)
59. Nowhere Man (Beatles)
60. Stray Heart (Green Day)
61. Good Riddance (Time of your Life) (Green Day)
62. Dahil sa Iyo (Filipino song)
63. Happy Christmas (War is Over) John Lennon
64. Last Christmas (Wham!)
65. Ghost Riders in the Sky (Johnny Cash)       




Sources: 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, 2016