(1616) 62 POSSIBLE CONTESTANTS OF 2019 P.B.C.C. (TBN-Jan. 14, 2019)

BOBOT TAN—NEW PALAU KING OF CHESS

                   The emergence of Bobot Tan, 2^nd from right, resulted in him ruling all chess tournaments in Palau in the last 2 years although by FIDE rating, Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. is still number one. This one-day Palau Blitz Chess Championship on Jan. 13, he’s the favorite to win this tourney. Hopefully, there will be more than 30 players who will make it to make this PBCC the biggest ever in terms of participants. Last year, there were only 24 players.   (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

     62 POSSIBLE CONTESTANTS OF

                2019 P.B.C.C.

                This might be the biggest turnout of participants in any blitz chess championship in Palau. A total of 62 chess players have been listed by me for this one day event on Jan. 13, 2019 at Bethlehem Park that will start at 2pm for registration in this 9-round Swiss system event.

                Since 2013, all Palau Blitz Chess Championship (PBCC) were held in the month of Jan. to be followed by Palau Rapid Chess Championship (PRCC) in April or May and Palau National Chess Championship (PNCC) as the last tournament of Palau Chess Federation.

                In 2014, there was no PBCC with the arrival in Palau of Geoffrey Borg and Toti Abundo in Jan. and Brian Jones’ participation in the Micronesian Open that replaced the PRCC. Prior to the 2014 World Chess Olympiad in Tromso, Norway in Aug. 1-14, PCF held the Palau Open and Palau Olympians tourney. After we come back from Norway, the PNCC was held.

                The next 4 years in PCF Calendar of Events showed that PBCC is always being held in Jan.

THESE ARE THE POSSIBLE PARTICIPANTS WITH THEIR BLITZ RATINGS: 1. Bobot Tan (1868) 2. Tito Cabunagan (1777) 3. CM Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. (1776) 4. Roberto Hernandez (1733) 5. Rustum Cabuso (1697) 6. Rafael Paloma (1660) 7. Manuel Mahor, Jr. (1658) 8. Paquito Suringa, Jr. (1653) 9. Dennis Gonzales (1631) 

10. Eugene Labarda—off island (1648) 11. AFM Jeff Balbalosa (1615) 12. Angelo Salvadora --withdraw(1607) 13. Gonzalo Escapatoria (1603) 14. Remrel Dizon (1596) 15. WFM Angelica Parrado (1580) 16. Samuel Palingcod (1567) 17. Angelito Mintar Jr. (1556) 18. Mohammad Manik Hossain (1529) 19. Destiny Sisior (1500) 

20. Neph Macasaet (1498) 21. Baby Edna Mission (1478) 22. Jello Aguaras (1465) 23. Luciano Sibayan (1462) 24. Gladys Anne Paloma (1452) 25. Joan Gemota (1433) 26. Angelil Sisior (1387) 27. Glen Navarroza (1382) 28. Michael Gulla (1379) 29. Gian Gabriel Claronino 

30. Ma. Florida Hernandez (1363) 31. him (1357) 32. Reece Reklai (1345) 33. John Malinao (1343) 34. Ksau Anthony Whipps (1331) 35. Joel Gemota (1327) 36. Leif Toribiong (1304) 37. Charley Patris (1284) 38. Morton Sawaichi (1206) 39. Jennifer Angeles (1182) 

40. Kyarii Sisior (1148) 41. Dichem Tmetchul (1145) 42. Angelica Magno (1129) 43. Gian Paloma (1073) 44. Gabriell Garcia 45. Aome Angeles 46. Rommel Gulla 47. Elizalde Madrinan—withdraw  48. Jeyrald Lomboy 49. Chioko Yang Derbai 

50. Yu Hsuan Kuo 51. Xiancheng (Lincoln) Liao 52. Yi Lang Liu 53. Mariah Coline Miclat 54. Aya Osada 55. Diana Rechucher 56. Joram Renguul 57. Neil Roberto 58. Alik Jared Senior 59. Sowon Shin 60. Kikuo Sumang  61. Jannah Islam and the latest one to join—my guitar/chess student 62. Brandon Kyle Soriano.

There is still possible chance to join for Christopher Kitalong, Eryn Reklai, David Wong, Arnold Undecimo, Eugenio Pastrana, Genaro Manlaya, Herbert Galiza, Jade Mariur, Jaime Balute, John Mark Tamayo, Melvin Parinas, Benerica Daligdig, Albino Taksiau, Jon Manuel Reyes, Jose Misael de Jesus, Miguel Gancayco, Nelson Sablan, Nilo de Jesus, Robert Sola, Rey Sanchez, Sofronio Mahor, Thomas Hayes, Joy Flores Whipps…

Solution to last week’s puzzle No. 3827: 1. Rh1+ Rh2 2. Rh7+!! Rxh7 3. g7#

This week’s puzzle No. 3828: White to move and mates in 3 (Solution next issue)

Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez

               Tia Belau Newspaper

               Pages 9-10

               Volume 28

               Issue 02

               January 14, 2019

              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 -- January 14, 2019

             The History of Chess in Palau

             By Roberto Hernandez

             June 09, 2002 -- January 14, 2019

(1511) FIDE Presidential Board Ask Kirsan To Resign (TBN-April 16, 2018)

FIRST CANDIDATE TO DECLARE F.I.DE. PRESIDENT CANDIDACY

                  Georgios Makropoulos, sitting in the middle, is the first to announce his candidacy for FIDE President during the 1^st Quarter Presidential Board Meeting. Geoffrey Borg, standing 2^nd from left, and Toti Abundo, standing 4^th from left, has been to Palau in Jan. 2014 to campaign for incumbent FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, whose been asked to resign by the PB Board by 14 to 1 vote with no abstentions. According to Jamie Kenmure, Sheik Sultan of UAE will also run for FIDE President.                         (Photo from FIDE website www.fide.com)

      F. I. D. E. Presidential Board

          Ask Kirsan to Resign

           During the FIDE Presidential Board Meeting held in Minsk, Belarus, the Board was also able to persuade the Saudi authorities to grant visas to Iranian and Qatari players. Unfortunately, it became clear only at the last day that visas were not going to be granted to Israeli players. He advised that in January, he had had talks with the Israeli Chess Federation about the situation and had come to an agreement with them. FIDE was continuing to speak with the Organizers to ensure that all participants would be able to get visas in future. He advised the PB that FIDE was now in a sound financial position and had built up reserves by cutting unnecessary expenses. 

          He advised that the situation was becoming very nasty and personal and that, together with Prof. Adrian Siegel, Zurab Azmaiparashvili and Geoffrey Borg, he was referring Mr. Ilyumzhinov, Willy Icklicki, Lewis Ncube, Berik Balgabaev and Silvio Danailov to the Ethics Commission for spreading lies and defamatory statements.

          The PB then discussed the situation regarding the FIDE bank accounts. Prof. Adrian Siegel, the FIDE Treasurer and Nigel Freeman, the FIDE Executive Director brought the PB up to date on the severe problems caused by the request of FIDE’s bankers that they would close our accounts on 30th April, 2018 because of the fact that the FIDE President is on the US Sanctions list. They advised that despite meetings with senior management of the bank, whilst they extended the deadline from the original 28th February, 2018 to 30th April, 2018, they were unwilling to extend until the FIDE elections on 3rd October, 2018, when the matter would be solved. 

          They also advised that they had approached many other banks both in Switzerland and outside and had met with several they all said they were willing to have FIDE as client they were unable to do so whilst its President was on the US sanctions list. The PB recognized the dire operational situation FIDE was in because the President was under US Sanctions and passed the following resolution to ask the President to resign by 14 votes to 1 with no abstentions: Dear Kirsan ---The Presidential Board has resolved: In the light of:

 a) The imminent withdrawal of FIDE’s banking facilities by UBS, 

b) The inability of FIDE to obtain replacement banking facilities while you remain nominal President and 

c) subject to US Treasury Department sanctions, d) The consequent severe difficulties facing FIDE in funding its obligations and its commitments to the chess family, e) The adverse publicity that reflects badly on FIDE’s reputation and undermines the confidence of all those who are or would be involved in chess, that in the interests of the organization: 

You should resign with immediate effect. 

Signed: 

Makropoulos, Georgios Deputy President; 

Tolentino, Abraham General Secretary;
Fierro, Martha Vice President 

Siegel, Adrian Treasurer; 

Bastian, Herbert Vice President 

Kambuzia, Mohammed Vice President; 

Marinello, Beatriz Vice President;

 Sundar, D.V. Vice President
Al-Hitmi, Khalifa Vice President; 

Gelfer, Israel Vice President; 

Kutin, Boris Vice President
Tulay, Gulkiz Vice President; 

Ochoa, Javier Hon. Vice President;

 Ramirez, Mario Hon. Vice President
Vega, Jorge President of Americas;

 Azmaiparashvili, Zurab President of ECU

The PB discussed the various FIDE offices and resolved to close the Moscow Office as soon as possible.

The PB then discussed the various FIDE events and were brought up to date with the situation regarding the 2018 Olympiad in Batumi, Georgia, in September, the World Championship match in London in November and the Women’s World Championship match in China in May.

       During the meeting, Georgios Makropoulos, the Deputy President advised that he had been approached by the majority of the Presidential Board and many delegates asking him to run for President to sort out the present problems and ensure stability in FIDE. Therefore he announced his candidacy for FIDE President at the forthcoming elections in Batumi on 3rd October, 2018.

          Solution to last week’s puzzle No. 4378: 1. …Qxe3+!! 2. Kxe3 Bh6+ 3. Kd3 Rd2#

     This week’s puzzle No. 4435: Black to move and mates in 3 (Solution next issue)

Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez

               Tia Belau Newspaper

               Pages 9 & 11

               Volume 27

               Issue 28

               April 16, 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 -- April 16, 2018

             The History of Chess in Palau

             By Roberto Hernandez

             June 09, 2018

(1469) FUNNY 1st ROUND OF 2017 WORLD BLITZ CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP (TBN-Jan. 08, 2018)

: THE CURRENT WORLD CHAMPION IN ACTION AT RIYADH, KSA

                    Magnus Carlsen, left, who defended his title thrice (against Anand 2x and Karjakin) is also the world champion in World Blitz Chess Championship held at Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from Dec. 29, 2017 winning it with a round to spare. The 1^st round against Ernesto Inarkiev produced another ‘saying in chess’ that during Blitz or Rapid chess tourney, ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN!                          (Photo from tournament website)

 FUNNY 1st ROUND OF 2017

      WORLD BLITZ CHESS

          CHAMPIONSHIP

        The December 29, 2017 first round of 2017 World Blitz Chess Championship in Riyadh, KSA turned to be a funny but instructional demonstration of how good the current world chess champion Magnus Carlsen is but also the decision of the Chief Arbiter about the overruling of the first arbiter.

                In his game against Ernesto Inarkiev, Carlsen captured the b7 pawn with his rook on his 27^th move, checking Inarkiev’s king. There’s only 6 seconds left in Inarkiev’s clock while Carlsen has 13 sec.

        Inarkiev ignored the check and put Magnus in check with the illegal 27. …Ne3+. Carlsen could have won the game instantly by claiming an illegal move, but—perhaps due to instinct—got his king out of trouble with 28. Kd3. Crazy you say? Here’s where it gets even crazier…

                Let’s check the moves first: 

Magnus Carlsen vs. Ernesto Inarkiev (World Blitz Championship—2017), Riyadh KSA, Round 1 Dec. 29 (Sicilian Defense: Mengarini Variation (B20) – 1-0

1.       e4 c5 2. a3 Nc6 3. b4 cxb4 4. axb4 Nxb4 5. d4 d5 6. c3 Nc6 7. exd5 Qxd5 8. Na3 Bf5 9. Nb5 Rc8 10. Nxa7 Nxa7 11. Rxa7 e5 12. Nf3 exd4 13. Nxd4 Bd7 14. Nb5 Qxd1+ 15. Kxd1 Bc6 16. Bd3 Bc5 17. Re1+ Ne7 18. Ba3 Bxa3 19. Rxa3 Rd8 20. Nd4 Kd7 21. Ra7 Rhe8 22. Kc2 Kc7 23. Rb1 Rb8 24. f3 Nd5 25. Nxc6 Kxc6 26. Bb5+ Kb6 27. Rxb7+…

At this point, Inarkiew played the illegal move 27. …Ne3+. Carlsen might have won instantly by claiming the illegal move, but instead he instinctively moved his king out of danger with 28. Kd3. At this point, Inarkiev stopped the clock and claimed victory on the basis that Carlsen made an illegal move. The initial arbiter at first awarded Inarkiev the win, but Carlsen alerted the chief arbiter, who overruled the first arbiter, and gave Inarkiev the option of resuming the game from the position arising after Carlsen’s 28. Kd3. Inarkiev refused to play and Carlsen was awarded the win. Inarkiev appealed the chief arbiter’s decision, but his claim was rejected by the appeal board and Carlsen’s win stood.

Maybe Inarkiev realized already his losing position even if they resumed playing with a few seconds left in his clock. This incident is ‘normal’ even with the best players in the world. The decision of the appeal board to reject Inarkiev’s appeal is the right decision.

In Palau, it’s like a natural phenomenon with illegal moves like making a new queen using the queen of his opponent; replying to an illegal move with another illegal move like what happened to Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. vs. Gene Pastrana at Beken’s Store in Jan. 2010. But this game is different when Gene captured the king of Cyril, which is illegal move. It took more than a week to resolve this. Gene doesn’t like to follow FIDE’s Laws of Chess and even any of the decisions from known persons around the world like Gary Bekker, Toti Abundo, Joselito Marcos and Ric Ambatali. I have given him a chance to play another game with Cyril’s approval but he will only settle with a draw, which is unacceptable to Cyril.

Eventually, with his refusal, the game was awarded to Cyril and Gene withdrew from the tournament which is more than halfway. The venue, his place or residence and business, has shifted from Beken’s Store to Palau Royal Resort. That tournament was the 2009-2010 Palau National Chess Championship and the time control is 90 minutes for each player to finish the game.

Gene, with FIDE rating of 1870, warned me not to use his played games so that those who don’t have FIDE ratings yet can get their initial rating. I can’t give up to this bullying as I can use those games of him, esp. the losses, for the benefit of striving players because he played more than 50% of his games. Many of the advises about this incident were from my BFF CM Joselito Marcos, who is a very good arbiter being the founder of Nueva Ecija Chess Arbiters Association and the lone certified arbiter of the defunct Philippine Chess Federation in Central Luzon. My Australian friend Ric Ambatali wanted a drastic penalty for Gene for not following FIDE Laws of Chess—suspension or banning him from playing any chess tournament in Palau.

Solution to last week’s 15^th Anniversary puzzle: 1. h7+ Kg7 2. h8Q+!! (The key move) Kxh8 3. Kf7+! (Threatening mate of Bf6) Rf1+ 4. Bf6+ Rxf6+ 5. Kxf6 Kf8 or Kh8 6. g7+ and white wins.

                                          (As usual, nobody solved my anniversary puzzles. Nick Nehez can only find half of the right answers. Good for another $2.00. He solve a # in 3 last Wed. for $1.00)

This week’s puzzle No. 3904: White to move and mates in 3 (Solution next issue)

Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez

               Tia Belau Newspaper

               Pages 9-10

               Volume 27

               Issue 01

               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 -- January 08, 2018

              The History of Chess in Palau

              By Roberto Hernandez

              June 09, 2002 -- January 08, 2018

(1416) CHESS IN SCHOOL START AUG. 30 AT PMA (TBN-Sept. 04, 2017)

DONATION WITH ERIC 

The chess materials being loaned to PMA for Chess in Schools were given to Jun, middle, of PMA by PCF President Eric Ksau Whipps, right, and me on Aug. 30, 2017. Hours later, the first Chess in School in Palau commence. CHESS IN PALAU IS BOOMING!

                                        (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

  CHESS IN SCHOOL START AUG. 30, 2017

          AT PALAU MISSION ACADEMY

I’VE BEEN dreaming of this to happen since 2002 – to have Chess in Schools in Palau. It became a reality when a letter was sent to Palau Chess Federation President Eric Ksau Surangel Whipps that state:

Aug. 25, 2017 Hon. Eric Ksau Whipps President, Palau Chess Federation P. O. Box 295 Koror, Palau 96940 RE: Request for Chess Sets and Clocks

Greetings! I am excited to share with you that Palau Mission Academy has officially added Fundamentals of Chess to our curriculum. Sixteen PMA students have signed up for Fundamentals of Chess as an applied art and elective class during the first semester of 2017/2018 school year.

Mrs. Jennifer Angeles will be leading out in teaching the elective course at PMA. Our course description read as follows:

The Fundamentals of Chess Class covers the essential knowledge in rules and strategies needed to play the game of chess. The course comprises of the history of chess, the board and the movement of the pieces, the Algebraic notation in recording the moves; rules of the game (FIDE Rules) and general tactics and strategies in playing the game. Furthermore, this class will enhance students’ skills in strategic planning; critical thinking and logic; concentration; decision making and self-discipline.

We desire for our students to not only enhance their level and performance in the game of chess but to incorporate higher order of processing as well as implementing a positive game play and a Christ-like attitude.

We do humbly request your assistance to be able to finalize the plan to make this class a reality. Ideally we would like to request 10 sets of chess sets and 10 clocks for the elective class. This should be enough for a full class to be able to practice and play. We have set our maximum number of students to eighteen.

Once again, thank you for the support that we already received and we look forward to a continued partnership with the Palau Chess Federation.

Respectfully yours, Abner Sanchez – Principal –Palau Seventh-Day Adventist Schools

                                   Jennifer T. Angeles--Math/Chess Teacher—Palau Mission Academy

The Equipment Use Agreement read as follows:

This Equipment Use Agreement is entered into between the Palau Chess Federation,  P.O.BOX  295, Koror, Palau PW 96940, hereinafter (Lessor) and Palau Seventh Day Adventist Schools, P.O. BOX 490, Koror, Palau PW 96940 hereinafter (Lessee).

Whereas Lessor agrees to Palau Seventh Day Adventist Schools to use 10 chess boards and 10 chess clocks. The term of this agreement is one (1) year, commencing on August 30, 2017, with LESSEE having the option to renew for one (1) additional term of one (1) year each, which option LESSEE may exercise by giving written notice of such intent not later than sixty (60) days prior to the expiration of the then current term.

All equipments, furnished by Lessor will at all times remain the property of the Palau Chess Federation. Upon expiration or termination of this Agreement, LESSOR will return all the equipments to the LESSEE at a convenient time and location for both parties.

The Lessee shall use the equipment for free of charge but has the responsibility for loss or damage. In case of loss or damage, the lessee shall compensate the cost or replace the associated equipment. The equipment must be used for the development of chess players through the Chess in Schools program.

This Agreement will be terminated if either the Lessor/Lessee gives 30 days notice to each party. This agreement will be binding upon the parties including their successors and assignees.

Signed:

______________________                         ______________________              ____________________          

Abner Sanchez –Palau SDA Schools         Eric Whipps –Palau Chess Fed.           Jennifer T. Angeles –PMA

                On Aug. 30, 2017, I delivered the 10 chess sets and 10 chess clocks at Eric’s office. It was received by Jun of PMA and before leaving, we have photos taken. Later that afternoon, the first Chess in School in Palau was born. This is a milestone in Palau Chess History.

                I would like to thank those dedicated people to make this a reality – PCF President Eric Ksau Surangel Whipps, Gary Bekker, Brian Jones, Jamie Kenmure, Geoffrey Borg, Toti Abundo, Paul Spiller, Calvin Prasad, Dr. Virgilio de Asa, CM Joselito Marcos and all PCF members and chess players in and out of Palau. For many years, Palau is leading the small chess nations in activities and ever growing membership!

                The qualifying tourney will start Sun. Sept. 03 at Bethlehem Park with the following possible participants (according to their ratings): 1. Tan, Santiago, Jr. (1734-Rapid) 2. Salvadora, Angelo (1643) 3. Gonzales, Dennis (1618) 4. De Jesus, Nilo (1591) 5. Escapatoria, Jr., Gonzalo (1589) 6. Paloma, Rafael (1562) 7. Parrado, Angelica (1551) 8. Labarda, Eugene (1535) 9. Mahor, Jr., Manuel (1525) 10. Mahor, Sofronio (1447-Rapid) 11. Navarroza, Glen (1388) 12. Madrinan, Elizalde (1326-Rapid) 13. Patris, Charley (1274) 14. Barrameda, Wilson and 15. Garcia, Gabriell (both with no rating yet).

                Solution to last week’s puzzle No. 3763: 1. Qg8+!! Nxg8 2. Rxh7+! Nxh7 3. g7#

                This week’s puzzle No. 3764: White to move and mates in 3 (Solution next issue)

                                                              

Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
               Tia Belau Newsopaper
               Pages 9-10
               Volume 26
               Issue 70
               September 04, 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 -- September 04, 2017

              The History of Chess in Palau
              By Roberto Hernandez
              June 09, 2002 -- September 04, 2017

               

(1411) JENNIFER ANGELES TO FORM PALAU'S FIRST SCHOOL CHESS CLUB

COUNTERPART?

                  When I started chess in Palau in June 09, 2002, just a few supporters helped in teaching chess especially in schools. With the introduction of Chess in School program by FIDE in Palau by its CEO Geoffrey Borg, Toti Abundo and Jamie Kenmure, chess boom in Palau is expected. Many more teachers/trainers are needed like Jennifer Angeles, right, to popularize chess in Palau and to the world.                                            (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

JENNIFER ANGELES TO FORM PALAU'S

      FIRST SCHOOL CHESS CLUB

   

During my first and longer conversation with newcomer Jennifer Angeles, I have felt her sincere desire to push the Chess in School program of the World Chess Federation (FIDE). As a teacher herself, I have never met in Palau a woman chess player/teacher with a vision.

                After teaching my Taiwanese girl guitar/piano student on Friday, Aug. 18, 2017 from 2:00-3:00pm, I did a little shopping at WCTC and met her again with her son Aome (short for Apple Of My Eye) while buying oranges. Her enthusiasm to form a chess club in her school touched my heart and I offered to give lectures to the members that include 2013 Palau Junior Champion Ksau Anthony Whipps and 2015 Palau Junior Champion as well Angelil Sisior.

                This chess club will be affiliated with Palau Chess Federation so that chess materials and clocks that were donated to Palau from Asian Chess Federation through Oceania Chess Confederation President Paul Spiller, will be used and it might set an example to other schools to form chess clubs, too.

                Jennifer is one of the 4 exam takers that passed the exam in the 2017 Arbiters’ Seminar conducted by Palau Rating Officer IA Jamie Kenmure in May 14-19, 2017. I topped that Seminar with Angie Parrado, 2^nd and Tito Cabunagan, 3^rd. We’ve got norm for it and it’s another way to represent Palau in future World Chess Olympiads even though not included in Palau Team if we become FIDE Arbiters.

                Jennifer will try her mettle to be included in the Palau Women’s Team to the 2018 World Chess Olympiad in Batumi, Georgia. WNM Baby Edna “Bheng” Mission already qualified to the 2018 WCO by topping the women’s division of 2016 Palau National Chess Championship. Stiff competition is expected in this year’s PNCC (Women’s Division) from Angie, Joan Gemota, Joy Flores Whipps, Roxanne Parco, Angelil Sisior, Gladys Paloma and even from newcomer and improved Angelica Magno.

                Meanwhile, the qualifying tourney for the Top 12 Division will commence on Sept. 03 with PRCC champion Bobot Tan leading the qualifiers that include Dennis Gonzales, Gonzalo Escapatoria, Jr., Manuel Mahor, Jr., Wilson Barrameda, Glen Navarroza, Eugene Labarda, Nilo de Jesus, Sofronio ‘Pons’ Mahor, Angelo Salvadora, Rafael Paloma, etc. It’s a 7-round Swiss or round-robin depending on entrees.

                The Top 8 are 1. Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. 2. Allan Alcid 3. Roberto Hernandez 4. Jeffrey Balbalosa 5. Tito Cabunagan 6. Paquito Suringa, Jr. 7. Rustum Cabuso and 8. (Palauan qualifier).

                We need confirmation from Allan Alcid if he will be participating in the Top 12 Division. If he’s not available, then Dennis will be No. 7. I will arrange matches for Allan if he makes it in a short 1 or 2 weeks stay. GOOD LUCK TO ALL PLAYERS! IT’S TIME TO PREPARE FOR THIS EVENT.

                                     “SPIRITUALLY, PHYSICALLY, MUSICALLY AND CHESSIALLY”

Friday, the 18^th of August is my best day spiritually, physically, musically and “chessially” as I started the day with 5:00am Morning Devotion at Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ (4^th Watch) Palau Locale with Bro. Gilbert Navarro giving the message about corporate prayer. That it’s very important when doing the corporate praying that the brethren will say “Amen/Praise the Lord or Glory to God” in agreeing with the one leading the prayer or rebuke when disagreeing with the prayer.

I proceed to the Palau Track and Field Oval and do 30-minute jogging/walking/pushups in 6 laps. During my first lap, former President Johnson Toribiong greeted me. He’s a regular jogger at the oval. At 3pm, I teach again Samantha Tsao guitar. I haven’t taught her in 2 months because of school break.

Before going back to Palau Royal Resort, I did a little shopping of fruits where I saw Jennifer and her son. While looking for papaya, another regular jogger at oval, Rebecca, ask me to set a date to teach her kid chess after school, most probably in between 4-6pm. And finally, in playing keyboard music at Breeze Bar of PRR, a group of 14 Americans (ladies and guys) enjoyed my music and I have played almost all of their requests –John Denver, Air Supply, James Taylor, Barry Manilow, Doors, Elvis Presley, Billy Joel, Patsy Cline, Beach Boys, etc. An old lady near me gave me $5.00 tip while the group gave me 2 shots of Bailey with cream.

Solution to last week’s puzzle No. 4425: 1. …Qxd5+! 2. Qe4 Qxe4+ 3. K11 Qg2#

This week’s puzzle No. 3762: White to move and mates in 3 (Solution next issue)

Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez

                 Tia Belau Newspaper

                 Pages 9-10

                 Volume 26

                 Issue 66

                 August 21, 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 -- August 21, 2017

               The History of Chess in Palau

               By Roberto Hernandez

               December 29, 2002 -- August 21, 2017

(1353) BLITZ IN APRIL, RAPID AND JULY AND PNCC IN SEPT. (TBN-March 13, 2017)

: DIFFERENT TEAM MEMBERS EVERY OLYMPIAD

                    2016 Baku, Azerbaijan World Chess Olympiad members-- from left, Dennis Gonzales, Paquito Suringa, Jr., Allan Alcid, Joselito Marcos and Roberto Hernandez. Taking this photo is Jeff Balbalosa. The Delegate is PCF President Eric Ksau Surangel Whipps. At the 2018 WCO in Batumi, Georgia, Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. and Baby Edna Mission qualified for winning the 2016 PNCC.

                                           (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

                BLITZ IN APRIL,

             RAPID IN JULY and

          P. N. C. C. in September  

 

THE FIRST Board Meeting of the newly elected officers of Palau Chess Federation was moved from Monday, March 06 to Tuesday, March 07 with me not realizing the postponement, still went to Bethlehem Park. Angie Sisior also didn’t know it but I informed her.

                The last one to come at the meeting was Angelo Salvadora, who came from Airai, with the meeting already ongoing with the first agenda already tackled—the new laptop for the PCF, to be kept by me. The old laptop is already 7 years old and defective. In the last Board Meeting of the old officers, it was not approved by members but PCF President Eric Ksau Whipps suggested to me to write a letter to his dad and it was approved, for the amount of $578.00.

                At 6:40, I left the meeting to work at Palau Royal Resort as musician from 7-11pm. I leave Angie my ball pen and 2 pieces of paper to write the other matters tackles during my absence.

                On the next day, Wed., I asked Eric on what to do first to get the laptop. He said to come to his office and get the check, I then proceed to Dennis to issue me a check and a receipt. I brought back the receipt to the lady who gave me the check and I proceed to the department store to buy the laptop that I surveyed a month ago (HP model with a price tag of $579.00). 

                That model is not at the shelves anymore. I was sold earlier and the lady supervisor suggested to me to get a Lesovo model worth $595.00. I checked the other model which is $200.00 more but bigger screen and more features. I decided to buy an HP brand worth $799.00 and used the check and an additional $181.05 which I paid using my Bank of Guam debit card. With a discount of $39.95, I paid a total of $759.05. Then I proceed to Jeff Balbalosa for him to install the basic things to install. The Swiss Perfect, Chessbase 12 and other chess programs to be installed next time.

                When I get the check, Angie returned to me the ball pen and the other matters discussed during the later part of the meeting. I mentioned to them that my day off is Monday and Sunday. The next meeting will be on Monday, April 10 at 5:45pm so that I can attend till the end of it.

                There are 4 possible venues for  Arbiters’ Seminar on May 17-19, 2017 to be conducted by IA and Deputy President of Asian Chess Federation Toti Abundo—Airai State Office, Airai View Hotel, Palasia Hotel and the Campaign Headquarters Office, in which if available, food will be provided.

                The confirmed attendees to that seminar are Dennis Gonzales, Angelo Salvadora, Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. Rustum Cabuso, me, Angie Sisior and Paquito Suringa, Jr. The seminar can have up to 20 participants with a fee of $50.00 each. Some players from Guam are requesting if they can attend that seminar which will requires at least 6 hours a day for 3 days to complete the course.

                Another way to represent Palau in Olympiad is if a player is also a FIDE Arbiter like Red Dumuk of the Philippines, who is one of the FIDE Arbiters in 2014 WCO in Tromso, Norway. If chosen to be an arbiter in an Olympiad, FIDE offers free accommodation, airfare and good pay for doing so.

                I and Salvadora have agreed to study the Swiss Perfect so that there are at least 2 different chess players that can be defended on especially in the Swiss pairings.

                Chess in Schools is also discussed that will start sometime in September this year. FIDE’s Chess in Schools Program Head Kevin O’Connel will be coming to Palau for this matter with his accommodation and other expenses being shouldered by FIDE for the development of Chess in Schools programs.

                The next tournaments of PCF are the Blitz Chess Championship in April, to be followed by Rapid Championship in July and the 2017 Palau National Chess Championship in September (including the qualifying to the Top 10 or Top 12 Division).

                The time control for Blitz is 5 minutes + 3 seconds increment, 20 minutes + 10 seconds increment for Rapid and 90 minutes + 30 seconds increment in the PNCC. The results of these tourneys will be reviewed first by the board before submitting to Jamie Kenmure, Palau’s rating officer.

                Solution to last week’s puzzle No. 4438: 1. …Qg5+ 2. Kf2 Qh4+ 3. Kg1 Nh3#

                This week’s puzzle No. 3857 White to move and mates in 3 (Solution next issue)

Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez

              Tia Belau Newspaper

              Pages 9-10

              Volume 26

              Issue 23

              March 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 --March 13, 2017

             The History of Chess in Palau

             By Roberto Hernandez

             June 09, 2002 -- March 13, 2017   

(1314) AN INFORMAL MEETING OF O.C.C. MEMBERS IN SEPT. 10, 2016 IN BAKU, AZERBAIJAN

6 PHOTOS AT THE OCC MEETING - SEPT. 10, 2016
     Nobody was able to take photos of the ongoing meeting of Delegates of Oceania Chess Confederation during the 2016 Baku, Azerbaijan World Chess Olympiad. This selfie photo is a little blurred because when I bought a cellphone protector, the one who install it put the hole where the camera's lens, is partly covered.
                       (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

   AN INFORMAL MEETING OF O. C. C. 
          MEMBERS IN SEPT. 10, 2016
             IN BAKU, AZERBAIJAN

 

                Oceania Chess Confederation President Paul Spiller of New Zealand arranged an informal meeting of its members on Sept. 10, 2016 at 10am during the last 5 days of 2016 World Chess Olympiad in Baku, Azerbaijan and held in a meeting room of Fairmont Hotel, where the Delegates and high ranking officials of World Chess Federation were billeted.

                The Agenda of the Oceania Zone 3.6 Meeting is as follows:

1. Apologies

2. Introduction of Delegates

3. Report from Al-Ain Asian Federation Meeting by Paul.

4. Chess Development in Oceania – Federation surveys and allocation of resources.

5. Upcoming tournaments – Oceania Youth Chess Championship

                                                   2017 Oceania Zonal

                                                   2017 Asian Seniors Championship

6. Oceania Chess Confederation background and incorporation

7. General Business

                The attendees are given a few minutes to introduce themselves with Shaun Press stating that he was born in Papua New Guinea and the current president of PNGCF; Calvin Prasad of Fiji is playing at Board 1 of Fiji team in this Olympiad and the previous Olympiads; Roberto Hernandez introduced himself as the one who pioneered chess in Palau in 2002, writing a chess column in Palau’s first newspaper Tia Belau for 13 years, General Secretary of PCF, an NM and FIDE Instructor; Gary Westell of Australia; Stuart Fancy , the vice president of PNGCF; Kevin Bonham of Australia which I have mistakenly spelled his family name as Bohan; Roger Orio of Guam and the current President of Guam Echecs after Leon Ryan retires. He listed his number +64 274 595 176; President Paul Spiller of New Zealand as well as Hilton Bennett, have both participated in the inaugural 2006 Palau Invitational Chess Championship in Aug. 31-Sept. 05, 2006 that started the chess boom in Palau; and the last one to come is Asian Chess Federation Deputy President Casto ‘Toti’ Abundo, who visited Palau with FIDE C. E. O Geoffrey Borg in January 2014.

                The issues that were tackled are the under 18 chess tournaments that IM, FM, and CM titles can be achieved. In Americas, GM norms can be achieved even in U20 tournaments.

                HERE ARE SOME INTERESTING STATISTICS:

Titled Players – Australia (151); New Zealand (42); Fiji (11); PNG (6); Guam and Palau (1 each);

                                                                                                          Solomon Islands and Nauru (0)

Active Rated Players in 2015 – Aus (692), NZ (155), Palau (48), Fiji (20), Guam (12), PNG (5),

                                                                                                          Solomon Islands and Nauru (0)

Standard Open Tournaments in 2015 – Aus (48), NZ (11), Fiji (2), Palau (1)

Rated Games – Aus (13,959), NZ (2,293), Palau (203), Fiji (112), Guam (98)

No. of Games by Foreigners – Aus (1,488), NZ (444), Guam (25)

No. of Games by Players Abroad – Aus (1,224), NZ (547), Fiji (61), PNG (41), Palau (31), Guam (7)

                According to Toti, there are 51 countries in Asia. He also said that Congressman Prospero ‘Butch’ Pichay can’t travel outside Philippines because of charges against him by Phil. Government.

                THERE ARE MORE WOMEN PLAYERS IN PALAU THAN IN NEW ZEALAND!

While the meeting is going on, the letter of Palau Rating Officer Jamie Kenmure is being circulated that states: Dear Oceania Delegates, in regards to the motion that Mr. Stuart Fancy from PNG is going to raise, I would like to explain: In 2014 I was asked by Joselito Marcos, who then I thought was the PNGCF President at the time, asked me to register 5 players for him. I only thought this was for players to play in a competition as it is a requirement for tournaments to have a FIDE I. D. I had no knowledge that he was planning to send a team to the Olympiad with the players I registered. I had no idea that I was doing anything wrong. Yours, Jamie Kenmure.

                Before the open forum starts, Toti left the meeting. Maybe he sensed something controversial will happen even with the absence of Jamie and Joselito.

                Stuart Fancy is claiming that Joselito stole their right to vote and even called Joselito a “criminal”. He didn’t know that Toti was the one who gave Joselito the signal “You won! You're the official PNG Delegate! Please get Schengen visa as soon as possible.” 

Joselito got Schengen visa and pay for it as well as the tickets in going to Tromso, Norway as the official Delegate of PNG, with the right to vote for PNG in the election of FIDE President.

                When Mr. Fancy mentioned about Joselito being a Head of Delegation of “another” country, I explained to the meeting that it is the decision of the Palau Chess Federation Board to hire him as Team Captain. Shaun Press, knowing the new rule of FIDE that only qualified Trainers and Instructors (ST, FT, FI, NI, or DI) can be a Team Captain, said it is not possible.

              Stuart also asked if Joselito is still in PNG. I said he is still there in the last 16 years (where it is supposed to be 20 years—his sojourn in PNG is 1996). Stuart stays in Port Moresby while Joselito is the Deputy Director – Academic

                                                                Department of Education

                                                                Technical Vocation Education and Training Division

                                                                The National Polytechnic Institute of Papua New Guinea

                                                                P. O. Box 4366, Lae

                                                                Morabe Province 411

                Lae, for Stuart is not PNG. It seems that for him, only Port Moresby is the ‘recognized’ part of PNG. It’s like saying Darwin is not part of Australia.

                Joselito mentioned something to me, “I am now the acting Academic Director, which is not possible if I’m not here in PNG.”

                In his book "Memoirs of a Chess Amateur --My Memorable Games and Compositions" by Joselito Marcos, the "About The Author" page states:

                

              "Joselito Marcos, a FIDE Candidate Master, (a title which the World Chess Federation awarded him retroactively in 2012 for his performance in the Bled Olympiad in 2002 where he scored the most number of wins for the PNG team, 5 ½ out of 9 points—a total output that was just short of one-half point for an outright FIDE Master title), was the lone certified arbiter of the defunct Philippine Chess Federation in Central Luzon region in his home country prior to his sojourn to Papua New Guinea in 1996. He is the founding president of Nueva Ecija Woodpushers Society and of Nueva Ecija Chess Arbiters Association, both in his home country.

                He is also an accomplished problemist having composed numerous chess problems that were published both in local newspaper chess columns and in international chess magazines such as Chess Life and Stratagems. He is the acknowledged chess problem consultant of the Hong Kong Standard, South China Morning Post, Manila Times, Philippine Star, Today and Chess Plaza Weekender."

                Then, when I explain to them that our President, Eric Ksau Surangel Whipps, appointed him as  Head of Delegation and the last words, “BUT HE SHOULD BUY HIS OWN TICKETS”, makes Stuart silent about that topic from then on… “BUY YOUR OWN TICKETS”, is not in their vocabulary.

Marcos’ daughter Jemima studied Tourism at PNG’s International School so when she applied as Tourism Teacher, PNG’s government is very much willing to accept her. She is now in PNG while her father is taking a 6-week Yuletide vacation. Jemima’s 3 kids will join her at PNG in the near future. This shows how Joselito Marcos made PNG his second home. He tried very hard to improve the chess development in PNG with his expertise but being in Lae and not in Port Moresby hinders his chess development programs.

In the early rounds of 2016 World Chess Olympiad, we are riding in the same bus going to the venue. Stuart is in front of Joselito, then me and him ready to take our seat when Stuart started shoving Joselito, who retaliated by shoving, too and shouted, "Are you a bully?"

After the 2016 Baku Chess Olympiad, the Palau Chess Team arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport. I don’t have a ride so I asked Joselito that I will ride with him because Jemima, Nanette (Joselito’s wife) and the 3 kids of Jemima, will pick us up at the airport.

                When we arrived at about 11pm, I heard 2 kids shouting “Big Daddy! Big Daddy!” It’s Joselito’s grand kids, who are calling him “Big Daddy”. Joselito signed his soon to be released book “Memoirs of a Chess Amateur—My Memorable Games and Composition” and gave it to me at the airport with a short note: “To: My BFF Robert, Here’s wishing that this book helps you progress in chess aside from knowing me more. Sincerely (signed), Joselito Marcos (09/15/2016).”

                Jemima drove the car using its GPS to track the address of my daughter Karen in Tandang Sora, Quezon City. While inside the car, I can see the closeness of the Marcos family with the 3 English-speaking kids.

               

               

Sources: Chess Mate by Roberto Hernandez
              Tia Belau Newspaper
              December 29, 2002 -- December 12, 2016

              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 12, 2016

              Memoirs of a Chess Amateur
              My Memorable Games and Composition
              By CM Joselito Marcos

              The History of Chess in Palau
              By Roberto Hernandez
              June 09, 2002 -- December 12, 2016