(370) PCF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING ON FEB. 10

FINAL DAY OF 2012 PNCC
This photo may not happen again. Left to right (Back row, standing) Miguel Hilario, Jr. (4th-Class B), Destiny Sisior (8th-Class B), Angelil Sisior (13th-Class B), Roberto Hernandez (2nd-Class A), Dennis Gonzales (Champion - Class B), Jeff Balbalosa (2nd-Class B). Sitting -- Baby Edna Mission (5th-Class B), Angie Parrado (3rd-Class B), Menandro Manuel (6th-Class A), Jose Celiz (3rd-Class A), Tito Cabunagan (Champion- Class A). Playing their last 2 official games -- Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr., left, (4th-Class A) and Gonzalo Escapatoria (8th -Class A). Jon Manuel Reyes (7th-Class B) is the one taking this photo. Candidate Master Bernardo Garcia is 5th and Paquito Suringa, Jr. is 7th.
(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)



      PALAU CHESS FEDERATION
     ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
        ON FEBRUARY 10, 2013

THE PALAU Chess Federation will be having its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Feb. 10, 2013 at Palau Royal Resort from 2:00 to 5:00 pm. The following members, honorary members and officers are invited to attend:

1. Eric Ksau Whipps 2. Tito Cabunagan 3. Dennis Gonzales 4. Roberto Hernandez 5. Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. 6. Jamie Kenmure 7. Menandro Manuel 8. Paquito Suringa, Jr. 9. Jeff Balbalosa 10. Angie Parrado 11. Tutii Joe Chilton 12. Jose Celiz 13. Gonzalo Escapatoria 14. Elpidio Manaligod 15. Nilo de Jesus 16. Morton Sawaichi 17. Eugenio Pastrana 18. Jaime dela Cruz 19. Joy Flores Whipps 20. Mohammad Manik Hossain 21. Baby Edna Mission 22. Manuel Mahor, Jr. 23. Ksau Anthony Whipps 24. Jon Manuel Reyes 25. Miguel Hilario, Jr. 26. Geoff Martin 27. Zachary Techall Whipps 28. Angelil Sisior 29. Paz Ngiratechekii 30. Destiny Sisior 31. Luciano Sibayan 32. Dan Roldan 33. Francis ‘Sno’ Temaungil 34. Eric Espartero 35. Flavin Andres 36. Jose Misael de Jesus 37. Em-R de Vera 38. John Pastrana 39. Norbert Villanueva 40. Dmitri Kyle Villanueva 41. Genaro Manlaya 42. Jayrome Soriano 43. M. J. Ngiratechekii 44. Nino Flores 45. Masum Billah 46. Akram Hossain 47. Rustom Cabuso 48. Ferdie Altea 49. Ronel Gutierrez 50. Rey Alenain 51. Miguel Gancayco 52. Elizalde Madrinan 53. George Anzawa 54. Koichi Matsuda 55. Adele Anzawa

Australian Jamie Kenmure and Menandro Manuel will be joining the AGM through Skype or Facebook as they are in Australia and Philippines respectively.

The first thing to be tackled in the agenda is the abolishment of Palau Chess Federation and the application of a new one – Palau Chess Federation Inc. with changes/amendments of its By-Laws as follows:

In Article I TITLE - Palau Chess Federation will become Palau Chess Federation Inc.

In Article III Section 4: There will be a $15.00 annual fee for each member. I. D.s will be issued to each member. In Article 7 – A mistyped word (“ay”) the “y” will be erased in “A member joining ay”…

In Article IV –Officers In Section 1- There will be 1 President (must be a Palauan), 2 Vice Presidents, 1 Secretary/Treasurer, and 3 Executive Board Members.

The phrase “The Board of Directors must elect their own officers” will be erased.

In Section 3: A) The Chairman will be replaced by President, the Secretary/Treasurer will keep its name,

C) The Auditor will be replaced by 1st Vice President, and Public Relations Officer will be replaced by the 2^nd Vice President.

The Articles of Incorporation will also be changed. In Article IV - Membership/Executive Board—

here are four (4) officers and three (3) Executive Directors of the federation and the initial ones are as follows: Name Address Citizenship

Eric Ksau Whipps P. O. Box Koror, Palau Palauan

(President)

Tito Cabunagan P. O. Box Koror, Palau Filipino

(Vice President)

Dennis Gonzales P. O. Box Koror, Palau Filipino

(Vice President)

Jan Berglund Uppsala, Sweden Swedish
(Delegate to FIDE)

Roberto Hernandez P. O. Box 10108 Koror, Palau Filipino

(Secretary/Treasurer)

Jamie Kenmure 4 Elda Court Cranbourne Australian

(Exec. Board) North Victoria, Australia

Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. P. O. Box 308 Koror, Palau Filipino

(Exec. Board)

CM Bernardo Garcia P. O. Box 308 Koror, Palau Filipino

(Exec. Board)

The 3-page Palau Chess Federation Inc. Constitution will also be updated. It has only 4 Officers. In the no. 9 Dissolution, it states “A resolution to dissolve the federation can only be passed at an AGM through a majority vote of the membership.”

Mr. Jamie Kenmure has already updated the By-Laws, Articles of Incorporation and Palau Chess Federation Inc. Constitution so that the PCFI will be more professional.

To be discussed at the AGM is the first tourney of this year – the 2013 Rapid Chess tournament (FIDE rated) to be held from Feb. 24-April 21, 2013. The venue will be the available spaces of Tito Cabunagan and Jose Celiz’ rooms across King’s Apartment. New format will be used in this FIDE rated event. Rapid and blitz tournaments are now being rated separately by FIDE. The rated players will start with their standard rating.


Source:
Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Pages 8-9
Volume 22
Issue 04
January 14, 2013

(369) KNOW YOUR OPPONENT

2014 CHESS OLYMPIAD BOUND
Five Palau chess players in this photo are bound to 2014 World Chess Olympiad in Tromso, Norway. Front left, Palau's no. 1 Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. will be board 1. He's playing against Menandro Manuel, currently no. 2 of Palau -- to play board 2. Tito Cabunagan, middle, will be board 4 while CM Bernardo Garcia will be board 3 again. Baby Edna Mission, will be board 2 in the women's team while Jeff Balbalosa, middle, will be the women's team captain. (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)



         KNOW YOUR OPPONENT

MANY chess masters say that in order to know your opponent, you must at least study 40 of his games.

Spending just one hour for a game, it's already 40 hours.

In the 11th round of the 2003 Senior and Junior Open Chess tournament, 3rd seed Roberto Hernandez studied only 17 of top seed Cyril Montel, Jr.'s games.

The former surprised the latter with a d4 first move which Montel, Jr. seemed to be unfamiliar with.

He spent less than a minute to ponder his first move against a queen's pawn opening.

He tried 1. ... e6 to lure Hernandez to convert it to French Defence but he continued with 2. c4 and there goes Cyril's uneasiness with handling the black pieces against a d4 opening.

He lost a knight on the 17th move, a rook on the 21st move, his queen on the 32nd move and resigned afterwards.

With the win, Hernandez, with an 8-1-2 win-loss-draw record can clinch the title with a win or 2 draws in his last 2 remaining games.

Montel, Jr. (6-4-1) is still in the running for 1st runner-up if he can win his last 2 games.

Menandro Manuel, who is absent in the last 3 weeks, finally showed up and replayed his previous default losses to Francis Cuenco (2-9-0) and Jimmy Valenzuela (5-4-2).

He won over the two but was upset by Mike Miguel, Jr. (4-4-3). He then defeated Danny Dandoy (4-3-4) to climb from 8th place to 2nd spot.

The Saturday's game between Bong Alipoon (5-3-2)and Jose Omega (6-3-2) was postponed due to Alipoon's job requirement in Ngaraard.

Amante Caballero (4-4-3) defeated Ivan II Chess computer on Tuesday, Nov. 25 in 26 moves of Scotch Four Knights Defence. He and Alipoon drew their game on Sunday by a default draw.

Ivan II Chess Computer (6-4-1) defeated Mario Ramos (3-4-3) in 32 moves of a Four Knights Defence.

Ramos, with the black pieces this time, gave back the sacrificed knight on the 18th move with a pawn thrust and kept the initiative when he missed a rook retreat on the 29th move and lost another piece and the game.

Another replayed game was between Montel, Jr. and Eugene Koh (2-6-3) with the same result. Montel, Jr. won and he also won his default draw game between him and Norbert Villanueva (0-5-5).

Jess Toldoya (4-4-3) drew with Rolando Funa (0-7-4) and Villanueva also drew with Jun Mahor (5-3-3) by a default draw.

In the junior division, former champion Jayrome Soriano (13-3-1) clinched the 1st runner-up honor with a victory over John Page (5-10-0).

Ricky 'Jun-Jun' Camacho (12-3-3) edged out Chris Domingo (11-5-0) for 2nd runner-up plum.

New champion Charles Aquino (13-2-2) won by default over Dmitri Villanueva (1-11-4).

Wrapping up the remaining players are: Rodnnie Dizon (9-7-1), Kelvin Cuenco (6-11-1), Ivan II Chess Computer (4-10-3) and Jovani Adachi (1-12-3).

PENULTIMATE AND FINAL ROUND PAIRINGS:
(If all games will be completed, December 14 will be the awarding day for the trophies designed and made by Palauan Hirm Isechal).

Manuel vs. Mahor; Omega vs. Mahor; Ramos vs. Hernandez; Hernandez vs. Cuenco; Ivan II vs. Miguel, Jr.; Alipoon vs. Omega (Sat.); Valenzuela vs. Alipoon;Villanueva vs. Valenzuela; Montel, Jr. vs. Dandoy; Funa vs. Montel, Jr.; Nilo de Jesus (5-5-1) vs. Ramos; Toldoya vs. Caballero; Koh vs. Toldoya; Funa vs. Koh; Villanueva vs. de Jesus; Dandoy vs. Caballero; Cuenco vs. Ivan II Chess Computer and Ramos vs. Miguel, Jr.

Jose Omega will be a major sponsor of the next tournament to be held on January 11, 2004 at Paul Brothers Tri-M General Merchandise and Food Retail in Malakal. He is donating $100.00 cash to the champion.


Solution to last week's puzzle: 1. Nh2+! gxh2 2. Rf2+ Kg1 3. Rf1 mate.

This week's puzzles: (1)White to move and mates in 3
Solution: 1.Ra7+ Nxa7 2. Qb6+ Ka8 3. Nc7 mate

White to move and mates in 3 (Solution next issue)


Source:
Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
December 05-11, 2003

(368) VALENZUELA NOW LEADS CHESS TILT

VALENZUELA NOW LEADS CHESS TILT

JIMMY Valenzuela has grabbed the lead from Freddie Dumlao and Menandro Manuel by beating Edgardo Enarsao in the penultimate classification round of the 2003 Open Chess tournament sponsored by The Filipino Community in Palau (TFCP), Image Restaurant and Sports Bar and Budget Mart.

14-year-old Arvie Leynes moved from 21st spot to the 10th after beating Allen Kangichi and 17-year-old Kris Ramos. Leynes is the youngest player with a chance to qualify in Class A category if he will win just one of his last 2 remaining games.

OTHER RESULTS OF 4TH ROUND AND SPECIAL 5TH ROUND:
Tutii Joe Chilton d. K. Ramos; Roy Rebollos d. Norbert Villanueva; late comer Cyril Montel, Jr. d. Ben Ramos; Manuel d. Mario Ramos; Nilo de Jesus d. Chilton; Noel Filomeno d. B. Ramos; M. Ramos d. Chilton; Montel, Jr. d. M. Ramos; Nilo de Jesus drew with Chito Vargas.

Fourteen players are fighting it out to make it to Class A while Valenzuela, Dumlao and Manuel already made it.

Players are advised to come on time in the 5th and final round. Absent players will lose by default and if both players are absent, their match will be declared a default draw.

THE PAIRINGS:

(First name to play white -- 6 players to play 3 games; 4 players to play 2 games)

Eddie Grefiel vs. Julius Torres; Montel, Jr. vs. Dumlao; Nilo de Jesus vs. M. Ramos; Remy Mingo vs. Danny Dandoy; Jimboy de Jesus vs. Manuel; Roberto Hernandez vs. Arvie Leynes; Enarsao vs. Montel, Jr.; Filomeno vs. Mingo; Vincent Vergara vs. Amante Caballero; Chilton vs. Hernandez; N. de Jesus vs. K. Ramos; Vargas vs. Montel, Jr.; Vergara vs. Filomeno; Mingo vs. J. de Jesus; Kangichi vs. Caballero; 58-year-old Ben Ramos vs. 8-year-old Dmitri Villanueva; Leynes vs. Filomeno; Caballero vs. D. Villanueva and J. de Jesus vs. Vergara.

Solution to last week's puzzle: 1. Qh5! Qxh5 2. d7 Ng7 3. d8=N!! mate. If 2. ... rook moves to avoid 3. d8=Q, then 3. d8=N mate.

Now... White to move and mates in 4




Puzzle 2: White to move and mates in 3 (Solution next issue)









Source:
Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Page 11
February 07-14, 2003

(367) MUSIC AND ME (Jan. 10, 2013) Honesty

*(This is not the original photo that appears in Tia Belau Issue 03)

Have a problem uploading photo.

A WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS

At right is an employee of PRR who treated his lady friends to a Christmas decors, night view and live music at Breeze Bar of PRR. The man at left sang a lot of international songs.

(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

                          H O N E S T Y

BILLY Joel has a hit song entitled “Honesty”. It’s one of his popular songs that many Japanese guests that I’ve met at Palau Royal Resort usually requested.

Being that popular and one of the most requested American songs in my repertoire, I have memorized its lyrics and complicated chords, intro and finale.

I usually sing it when the guests at Breeze Bar of PRR are closer to me because mike is not allowed there.

But the lyrics of “Honesty” are not relevant to my stories of being honest:

1.) In 1994, I’m playing keyboard at Image Restaurant with Willy dela Cruz as drummer. This was after our lead guitarist and singer Wilson Prima left Palau for good so only 2 of us remained performing for a few months. When Willy found a more stable job as butcher at Surangel and Sons, I’ve performed solo since then until early 2005.

One night of “not-so-busy” evening, a Taiwanese lady with 2 other Taiwanese guys requested “My Way”. Instead of playing it instrumental, I’ve sang the song to her delight.

Later, she come to me and put tips in my polo shirt’s pocket.

We still perform till 9:00 pm and when they leave, it’s time for karaoke, which I operate also. I look at the tip that she had given me – there are 3 single dollar bills and 1 hundred dollar bill!

I know she made a mistake in giving me that because if she will give me $100.00, there’s no need to add 3 one-dollar bills. And she is Taiwanese. Unlike generous Japanese, I know she can’t afford to give me much.

I told about it to my employer Margarita Borja Dalton and I said to her that if she will come back again, I’ll return it to her to see what amount she really wants to give me.

SHE CAME BACK 2 DAYS LATER! I played “My Way” again even though she didn’t request it. During our break, I told Margie that I will return to her the $100.00 but she prevented me and said, “If she don’t remember it, don’t give it back and give some to the kitchen staff.”

When she left without mentioning about it, I gave $40.00 to my partner Willy, $20.00 for kitchen staff and $43.00 for me which I thought I don’t deserve.

A few months later, I met that woman again in front of OEK building (Palau Congress). When we talked, she is interested to hire me as musician to her soon to be opened restaurant.

I politely declined the offer. How can I work honestly to her when I’ve been dishonest to her earlier?

2). Former Palau Senator Steven Kanai once sang karaoke with me operating it. At past 12:00 midnight, he left and stayed at the entrance smoking cigarette. When I check his table, I found a $50.00 bill on the chair where he sat. I ran to him and returned it. He said, “Ole, you’re a good man! If you need my help someday, just tell me.”

3). And lastly, before New Year 2013 at Breeze Bar, Ogie Pineda is paying their bill when I saw $50.00 fall from his pocket with the wind blowing it for about 2 meters from him. I just call his name and pointed to the fallen $50.00. Ogie didn’t say anything, it’s okay to me. I’ve known him for a while as one of our regular guests.

CONTINUATION OF “MY REPERTOIRE OF INTERNATIONAL SONGS”

              Last 25 songs of “B”

1975   BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY (Queen)                                                                                             DB250

BOMBATEL (Palauan Song)                                                                                                  DBI 61

BONGGAHAN (Sampaguita) (Filipino Song)                                                                  OPM188

1966     BORN FREE (Matt Monro)                                                                                                                                                                                                                       B 230

1967      BOTH SIDES NOW (Joni Mitchel)                                                                                               V 2

BOULEVARD (Dan Byrd)                                                                                                          B 168

BREAKING MY HEART (Michael Learns To Rock)                                                                DB 59

BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO (Neil Sedaka)                                                                        DB 19

1982 BREAK IT TO ME GENTLY (Angela Bofil)                                                                                      B 328

BREATHE (Faith Hill)                                                                                                                 DB 11

BRIAN’S SONG

1969 BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER (Simon & Garfunkel)                                                       R 150

B R I D G E S (Sergio Mendes and Brazil ’77)                                                                      R 151

BUGHAW NA BUHANGIN (Filipino Song)

B U H A T (Rico J. Puno) (Filipino Song)                                                                            OPM 92

BUHAY MUSIKERO (Mike Hanopol) (Filipino Song)                                                       OPM19

BULAG, PIPI AT BINGI (Freddie Aguilar) (Filipino Song)                                               OPM51

BULAKLAK (Kuh Ledesma) (Filipino Song)                                                                     OPM107

BULONG-BULUNGAN (Filipino Song)                                                                               OPM116

1966       BUS STOP (The Hollies)                                                                                                            B 111

BUT IF YOU LEAVE ME (Junior)                                                                                                DB 71

BUTSIKIK (Yoyoy Villame) (Filipino Song)                                                                         OPM91

1948     BUTTONS AND BOWS                                                                                                              DB 252

1957     BYE BYE LOVE (Everly Brothers)                                                                                               B 197

1967      BY THE TIME I GET TO PHOENIX (Glenn Campbel) (Johnny Rivers – 1965)                       V 3

Source:

Music and Me by Roberto Hernandez

Tia Belau Newspaper

Pages 8-9

Volume 22

Issue 03

January 10, 2013

(366) ROBERTO'S TRADEMARK -- Belt Bag & 2 Wallets

BELT BAG IT IS
Convenient but bulky. Roberto Hernandez, right, keeps wearing it in Australia, Russia, Istanbul, Turkey, Philippines and Palau.
(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)



ROBERTO'S TRADEMARK --
BELT BAG AND 2 WALLETS

SOME people are noticing that Roberto Hernandez is always wearing a belt bag even when he travelled to Australia in 2009, in Russia during the 2010 World Chess Olympiad in Khanty-Mansiysk and in the 2012 World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey.

Even when he’s playing piano at Teppan Dragon in 2006, the Chef, Tsuneo Irikedamoto, asked him to take off his belt bag when a group of photographers from Japan are having a pictorial of the place for promotion.

Before going to Australia, he bought a new belt bag but the design is “faded” and it looks old. In Russia also, he’s always wearing a belt bag in watching games of the Olympiad. In Istanbul, even he’s wearing a neck tie the belt bag is still visible.

While watching chess games in the bigger tennis center in Russia, a Russian girl with her dad and older brother, is staring at the picture of his I. D, which is the same but smaller photo in his business card.

He got one business card and gave it to her. Her dad asked her to say thank you and she said thank you in Russian language.

That’s one of the things that he regretted not being done before going to Russia. He didn’t even learn some simple Russian words such as “Thank you”, “You’re welcome”, “Good morning” or “Good evening”.

Grace, a co-employee of Hernandez’ wife knows that he likes to wear belt bag. She gave Hernandez a brand new belt bag on Father’s day. She saved one belt bag for her father, who unfortunately passed away before she gave it to him.

Roberto’s wife Flor asked him to buy some chocolates for Grace in Istanbul when he comes back after participating in the 2012 World Chess Olympiad.

A co-employee of Roberto at Palau Royal Resort asked him, “Why are you always wearing a belt bag?” His reply is, “This is where I put my eyeglass for reading, pens, mobile phone, coins, keys for car, room and locker, and also I put my 2 wallets in there whenever that the short pants I’m wearing don’t have pockets.”

IS IT CLEAR NOW?

AND SPEAKING OF 2 WALLETS – A funny incident took place at the Ataturk airport when the Palau Chess Team members at 2012 World Chess Olympiad are leaving Istanbul for a flight to Singapore and Manila.

The 2 members, Menandro and Elizabeth Manuel, left early in the morning for an extra 5-day trip to Italy and France. Their team captain Jamie Kenmure left later for Australia and their Delegate, Swedish Jan Berglund will stay till later in the afternoon of Sept. 10, 2012.

At the bus, Roberto is seating next to Papua New Guinea’s top player Stuart Fancy. He learned that Bernard and Roberto are having a little problem of over baggage. He suggested that they should check-in together to offset the excess.

During check-in of baggage, they instructed the passengers to put their wallets, coins, handkerchiefs and other small items in their pockets in a small plastic container. Roberto did that and concentrated more to the bigger baggage and the hand-carried one.

While they are falling in line, the Philippines Open and women’s team members, except GM Wesley So, are also in line. While Stuart is doing the check-in of baggage, Roberto noticed that his 2 wallets are missing. He thought that he was victimized by pickpocket as Bernard search the internet that there is occasional case of pickpocket in Istanbul. Bernard said that maybe Roberto left it at the x-ray counter.

Roberto run to the 3^rd counter and was referred to the 1^stcounter by Turkish security officer. At the 1^st counter, Roberto saw his 2 wallets, handkerchief and comb all together in one container. There are 3 Turkish security officers there.

Roberto pointed out to the nearest officer that the brown wallet belongs to him. He asked for some proof that Roberto really is the owner of that. He gets a business card (with pictures) from his belt bag and showed to the officer that he has more cards in the wallet. Upon seeing some cards in the wallet, he gave it to Roberto.

When Roberto pointed to the other wallet, he said, “This is also my wallet,” the other 2 officers laughed. Roberto get another card from the second wallet and said, “See, it’s also mine.” That’s the time that he really believed that Roberto has a second wallet.

Roberto took also the handkerchief and the comb and rushed back to the check-in counter. The 3 Turkish officers are laughing and very amazed to meet for the first time-- A MAN WHO HAVE 2 WALLETS.

Solution to last week’s special 10^th anniversary puzzle: 1. c8=B (Black bishop)! Yes. Before 1988, you can promote a pawn to any piece of your opponent’s color. With this move, Black can’t stop the 2. Nc7 mate. 1. c8=K (Black king) is the second solution. Nobody solved the puzzle so the prize of $45.00 will be added to Palau Chess Team Fund, this time to 2014 World Chess Olympiad in Tromso, Norway.

Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez

Tia Belau Newspaper

Volume 22

Issue 02

January 07, 2013

(365) FINAL DAY OF 2012 PNCC (PHOTOS)

Final round games between Palau's top player Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr., right, and Gonzalo Escapatoria. They drew their 1st game and Cyril won the 2nd one. Class B Champion Dennis Gonzales, 2nd from left, and Paquito Suringa, Jr. watch the game.

(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

Jeff Balbalosa, right, vs. 8-year-old Destiny Sisior. Posing (L-R), Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr., Gonzalo Escapatoria, Angie Parrado, Miguel Hilario, Jr., Dennis Gonzales and Jose Celiz.

(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

Angie Parrado's youngest daughter, left, practices with her eldest sister Angelil Sisior in the final day of 2012 Palau National Chess Championship. She is already exposed to chess environment and might become the future of Palau's women's chess. (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

Jon Manuel Reyes, left, vs. Jeff Balbalosa 0-1. The crowd, from left, Dennis Gonzales, Gonzalo Escapatoria, Baby Edna Mission and Jose Celiz. (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

A rare photo of more than half of the participants of 2012 Palau National Chess Championship. Standing (back row) Miguel Hilario, Jr., Destiny Sisior, Angelil Sisior, Roberto Hernandez, Dennis Gonzales, Jeff Balbalosa. Sitting- - Baby Edna Mission, Angie Parrado, Menandro Manuel, Jose Celiz, Tito Cabunangan. Playing their last 2 official games -- Cyril Tomas Montel, left, and Gonzalo Escapatoria. Jon Manuel Reyes is the one taking this photo. (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

(364) CLASS A, B FINALS ON (TBN-Aug. 13-20, 2004)

FINALLY.

Menandro Manuel, left, defeated Ivan II Chess Computer for the first time after losing the first 2 games and drawing the 3rd.

(Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

THE FIVE-round classification is now over and 8 players qualified for Class A and 4 woodpushers to a double round-robin Class B.

The Class A qualifiers are Eddie Grefiel (4.5 points), Ivan II Chess Computer (4), Bong Alipoon (3.5), Jimmy Valenzuela (3), Cyril Montel, Jr. (3), Joel Azana (3), Roberto Hernandez (3), Jess Toldoya (2.5) and Menandro Manuel (2), who edged out Jose Omega (2) in tiebreak, 14-13.

Class B will have Omega as top seed, followed by Mariano Agustin, Jr., Den Canaria and Morton Sawaichi.

Edward Agravante, a potential Class A player, will take a vacation and withdrew from the field. His withdrawal will make an uneven round so the chairman decided to include Ivan II Chess Computer as participant in Class A and Class B (double round-robin).

The tourney will conclude on October 03 and the awarding ceremony will be on October 10 as scheduled.

There will only be 3 trophies to be given in Class A and 2 in Class B. The host and sponsor of the event, Nestor Canaria, is sponsoring 8 trophies.

There might be an agreement that he will just put in cash prizes instead of 3 trophies. The $15.00 extra registration fee of Class A players for cash prizes might be reduced.

In the final round of classification, Ivan II Chess Computer dealt Canaria his 4th straight loss after winning the opening round game.

Sawaichi missed a winning line and was mated by Hernandez in 25 moves of Pirc Defence. With the loss, Sawaichi dropped all his first 5 games of the tournament but he is not to be taken lightly due to his agressiveness and perseverance.

His main concern is his carelessness. He borrowed 3 books to improve his game.

Defending champion Jess Toldoya and Mariano Agustin, Jr. were both absent and their game was declared a default draw. Alipoon won by default over Agravante to be the number 3 seed in Class A.

Canaria borrowed a book (28th Chess Olympics) that is written in algebraic notation. It is an interesting book that reveals important facts about Olympic chess.

It is also where the Philippines placed 7th, its best ever, and the emergence of Polgar sisters of Hungary to the top of women's chess.

Sawaichi borrowed The Sicilian Dragon, Rook Endings (the most difficult of all endings) and Tal's Best Games of Chess.

Manuel had The King's Indian Defence, while Montel, Jr. borrowed The Principle of Chess that shows how to mate your opponent with King, Knight and Bishop ( the most difficult one because if you can't mate your adversary in 50 moves, it will be declared a draw by 50-move draw rule).

Valenzuela borrowed Chess by Edward Lasker, the book that has the most pages.

Solution to last week's puzzle:

(It is composed by Voller)

1. c6+! Kxa7 2. Kg1! The key move! The natural Kg3 loses after 2. ...Ka8 3. Kxa3  Ba7 4. Kg4 Bd4 5. h4 Bc3 6. h5 Bxa5 7. h6 Bc3 etc...

2. ...Ka8 3. Kh1! Ba7 draw by stalemate.

Source:

Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez

Tia Belau Newspaper

 August 13-20, 2004