(805) ALIPOON LEADS CLASS A; CABALLERO IN CLASS B (TBN-March 14-21, 2003)

                         ALIPOON LEADS CLASS A,
                                              CABALLERO IN CLASS B

BONG Alipoon led over 15 other players in Class A championship of a very busy 2003 Open Chess Tournament held at Image Restaurant and Sports Bar.

He beats 7th seed Freddie Dumlao, Mariano Agustin, Jr., and defending champion Consul General Julius Torres. He held 6th seed Noel Filomeno to a friendly draw.

Eddie Grefiel climbed to 2nd with victories over Agustin, Jr. and Roy Rebollos. 

Also with 3 wins are Roberto Hernandez, winner over late comer Mike Miguel, Jr. and by default over Mario Ramos, Danny Dandoy, who won over Dumlao and Ramos (default).

Torres, who actually defeated Agustin, Jr. in the first round, registered his 3rd win by beating Miguel, Jr. and top seed Cyril Montel, Jr.

Last Sunday, Roberto asked Torres and Agustin, Jr. who won in their match. Agustin, Jr. proudly said, "Who else?"

Roberto assumed that he won and they didn't write their moves so he don't have records to look into.

OTHER RESULTS OF CLASS A'S 2nd, 3rd and special 4th
                                    Rounds:

Montel, Jr. d. Filomeno; Menandro Manuel d. Edgardo Enarsao; Manuel d. Montel, Jr. and Enarsao d. Miguel, Jr.

In Class B, Amante Caballero is now the solo leader with a default win over Chito Vargas. 

Ben Ramos is 2nd with a victory over Norbert Villanueva. His son Kris, is 3rd after beating Allen Kangichi in a very long and exciting game.

Top seed Arvie Leynes defeated 8-year-old Dmitri Kyle Villanueva by default. The match between Tutii Joe Chilton and Nilo de Jesus was a default draw as well as Vincent Vergara vs. Remy Mingo.

Another 2 late comers are joining next Sunday.

4TH ROUND PAIRINGS: (First name to play white)
     Class A: Manuel vs. Dandoy; Enarsao vs. Hernandez; Jimmy Valenzuela vs. Jimboy de Jesus; Filomeno vs. Valenzuela; de Jesus vs. Rebollos and de Jesus vs. Agustin, Jr.

     Class B: Leynes vs. Kangichi; Vargas vs. Late Comer 1; K. Ramos vs. Chilton; de Jesus vs. Vergara; B. Ramos vs. Late Comer 2: N. Villanueva vs. Caballero; Mingo vs. D. Villanueva.

                       A T T E N T I O N ! ! !
              CLASS A PLAYERS EXCEPT REBOLLOS, AGUSTIN, JR., DE JESUS AND DUMLAO --

    Eddie Grefiel would like to play one game on Saturday at 4:00-6:00 pm. If you are available on this date, call Roberto at 488-3694 so that he can arrange your match.

THIS WEEK'S FEATURED OPENINGS AND DEFENCES:

Sicilian Defence 1: e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3

Sicilian Defence 2: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 (This is the Najdorf Variation popularized by Grandmaster Miguel Najdorf of Argentina).  5. ...g6 is the rarely used Dragon Variation of Sicilian Defence.

Last week's featured defence is Ruy Lopez, not Roy Lopez as printed although we have a contestant named Roy Rebollos. Ruy Lopez is Spanish Defence.

Solution to last week's puzzle: 1. Qb6+!! Kd6 2. Rd5+ Kxd5 3. Qd4 mate. If 1. ...Kxb6 2. Bd8 mate.

This week's puzzle consumed only half of the board so there are 2 of them.



Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
               Tia Belau Newspaper
               Pages 11-12
               Volume 12
               March 14-21, 2003
 

         

     

 

(804) MUSIC AND ME (July 31, 2014) GRAND FINALS OF AMATEUR SINGING CONTEST (May 24, 1992)

AMONG THE 10% REMAINING IN PALAU
     Allan Sauro, right, is one of the remaining 10% of participants in the 1992 Amateur Singing Contest at Sunset Bistro from March-May 1992. He attends the Evangelistic Night every Sunday at Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ (4th Watch) Palau Locale. Roberto Hernandez, seated left, is one of those 10% and was the keyboard player of live band that accompany the 10 finalists. Newcomer Marcial Santander, seated middle, attended the Sept. 7 Church Anniversary and Thanksgiving with Pastor Sammy Bagcat having a concert and guest speaker. Santander will join the 2014 Palau National Chess Championship that will start on Nov. 16, 2014 -January 25, 2015.
                         (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

                            

(803) I DREW WITH GM DARWIN LAYLO IN Sept. 25, 1989 (Manila Mayor's Cup Open Chess Tournament)

DISCOVERIES AMONG MY OLD CHESS SCORE SHEETS
       GM Darwin Laylo, right, GM Wesley So, middle, and NM, FI Roberto Hernandez, left, met for the first time in 2010 World Chess Olympiad in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia. Just lately, Roberto discovered from his old files of chess score sheets that he and GM Laylo had played a game in the 6th round of Manila Mayor's Cup Open Chess Tournament in Sept. 25, 1989. It's a draw in a marathon 70 moves of Sicilian Defence (Najdorf Variation) where Roberto is down by 2 pawns in the endgame of rook and pawns.        
                                                   (Photo by Roberto Hernandez--- Taken by Tito Cabunagan)



      I DREW WITH GM DARWIN LAYLO
                  IN SEPT. 25, 1989 at
 Manila Mayor's Cup Open Chess Tourney

As I look at my old score sheets, I discovered that I have played a game against GM Darwin Laylo in the 6th round of Manila Mayor's Cup Open Chess Tournament in Sept. 25, 1989, where it is also the 6th year anniversary of our church wedding with my wife Flor.

I remember that I played all rounds (9), except against WNM Christine Rose Mariano where I am absent and lost by default. 

My 1st round opponent is Mr. Datu. I'm not sure if it's Idelfonso or Ildefonso, but one of them is a National Master and I lost that 1st game as usual. I wrote the chess notation in English notation.

My 2nd opponent is Ryan Gaffud where I won and wrote the chess notations in Algebraic this time.

I lost to C. Padua in the 3rd round and wrote the notations in English notation again!

I won in the 4th round against Angel Mamaed and back to Algebraic notation again.

In the 5th round, I lost to B. Dacalos in a marathon 69 moves and wrote the notations in English again.

Then comes the 6th round with me playing the white pieces against the kid, Darwin Laylo. It's a Sicilian Defence game, Najdorf Variation where Darwin is up by 2 pawns in the endgame of rook and pawns endgame.
                         HERE'S THE SCORE:
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e5 7. Nb3 Be6 8. Be2 Be7 9. 0-0 Nbd7 10. Qd2 0-0 11. f4 Rc8 12. Kh1 b5 13. Bd3 Nh5 14. Bxd7 Qxd7 15. f5 Bc4 16. Ne2 Nhf6 17. Rf3  Nc5 18. Nxc5 Rxc5 19. b3 Bxd3 20. cxd3 d5 21. Qg5 h6 22. Qh4 Rfc8 23. Rg3 Kh7 24. h3 Rc2 25. Ng1 R8c3 26. Nf3 dxe4 27. Ng5+ Kh8 28. Nxe4 Rc1+ 29. Rxc1 Rxc1+ 30. Kh2 Qa7 31. Rf3 Qg1+ 32. Kg3 Nxe4+ 33. Qxe4 Qe1+ 34. Qxe1 Rxe1 35. Kf2 Ra1 36. Re3 Rxa2+ 37. Re2 Ra3 38. Rxe5 Rxb3 39. d4 a5 40. d5 a4 41. Re8+ Kh7 42. d6 Rd3 43. Rd8 a3 44. d7 a2 45. Ra8 Rxd7 46. Rxa2 Rd5 47. g4 h5 48. Ke3 hxg4 49. hxg4 Kh6 50. Ke4 Rc5 51. Rb2 Kg5 52. Kd4 Rc4+ 53. Kd5 Rxg4 54. Rxb5 Rf4 55. Rb1 Rxf5+ 56. Ke4 Kg6 57. Rg1+ Rg5 58. Rf1 f6 59. Rh1 f5+ 60. Ke5 Rg4 61. Re1 Kg5 62. Rf1 f4 63. Ke4 Kh4 64. Kf3 Rg3+ 65. Kxf4 g5+ 66. Kf5 g4 67. Kf4 Rc3 68. Rh1+ Rh3 69. Rf1 g3 70. Rg1    (Draw) 

I lost to F. Alejar in round 7 and default loss to WNM Christine Rose Mariano in the 8th and lost the final (9th) round match with Edmundo Gatus (2092 rating).

Darwin Laylo became the 7th Grandmaster of the Philippines in 2007, 33 years after GM Eugene Torre became Asia's first Grandmaster in 1974.

Two years later, Rosendo Balinas became the 2nd GM of the Philippines after winning a strong Soviet tournament where he refused to eat the food that the Soviets are giving him. He thought that they put 'drugs' to it so that he cannot think properly and preferred boiled eggs and other 'safe' food.

It took 17 years before Philippines got its 3rd GM in Rogelio 'Joey' Antonio, Jr. in 1993 and another 7 years before getting its 4th GM in Buenaventura "Bong' Villamayor in 2000.

Four years later, Nelson Mariano II became the 5th GM of Philippines in 2004 followed by GM Mark Paragua the next year and then Darwin Laylo followed suit after 2 years. 

   GM Wesley So is cutting his birthday cake with GM Darwin Laylo at his left. To his right is GM Eugene Torre and at his back are Roberto Hernandez and Almario Marlon Bernardino.   (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)


 The 2nd time I met GM Darwin Laylo is during the 18th birthday celebration of GM Wesley So (Sept. 10, 2011) at Shakey's Pizza Parlor in Tomas Morato Quezon City, where I also met Congressman Prospero 'Butch' Pichay for the 2nd time likewise. The first time is during the final round (11th) of 2010 World Chess Olympiad in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia.

It is during the term of Cong. Pichay (2008-Present) that Philippines produced 9 GMs.

GM Wesley So and GM Jayson Gonzales in 2008;
GM John Paul Gomez and GM Joseph Sanchez in 2009;
GM Rogelio Barcenilla and GM Roland Salvador in 2010;
GM Julio Catalino Sadorra, GM Oliver Barbosa and GM Richard Bitoon in 2011. 


Source: History of Chess In Palau
              By Roberto Hernandez
              September 1989-October 2014
  

  

(802) MUSIC AND ME (July 17, 2014) HOW DID ROBERTO CATCH A 4-FOOT EEL WHILE ON DUTY AS MUSICIAN

 In 2011, Roberto Hernandez was on duty as musician at Breeze Bar of Palau Royal Resort. When the last guests left, the bartender Ronald Cinco threw to the ocean the leftover chicken wing which is V-shaped.

A moray eel saw and smelled it and come out of his 'rock hideout' and start eating the chicken wing. The chicken wing is too big for the eel to eat while half of its body is still inside that's why it needs to get out of his turf.

Roberto get his 30-pound line with 2 medium size hooks attached to it which he is using to catch mackerel, cattle fish, white snapper and other reef fishes.

Eels are very strong when they are inside their 'rock hideout. This time, it's out of his turf. Roberto put down the line with 2 hooks and in its first pull, the hooks penetrated to the eel's body.

It's a struggle for the eel as the line grasp and wrap it more. Roberto get a momentum to pull the eel out of water. With a strong pull, he was able to pull it next to a round table with 4 chairs.

Roberto is ready to hit the eel with the leg of the rattan chair but Mildred Cielo, the cashier, told him that she has an extra stick from an old mop handle.

Roberto push the eel to the side where there are gravels and hit the eel repeatedly until only the tail is moving. He put it in a blue plastic bag and into another red plastic bag.

Then he called at Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ (4th Watch) Palau locale. Only Bro. Rolly Adducul was there as the others are at the airport to pick Pastor Andy Pabelico up from Guam.

When Roberto told Bro. Rolly that he caught a 4-foot eel and he will bring it to church tomorrow so that Pastor Andy can cook it, he didn't believe Roberto and said, "HOW CAN YOU CATCH AN EEL WHEN YOU ARE ON DUTY AS MUSICIAN THERE AT PALAU ROYAL RESORT?"

"You will believe me when I bring the eel there tomorrow," Roberto assured Bro. Rolly.

Roberto showed the eel to others that are watching TV at Lounge. It's still alive and moving (the tail part). He put it in the freezer.

Two years later, Avyson Kurt, Recreation Department staff, had a smaller eel he is trying to catch with Russian guests watching. Although smaller, half of its body is still in its hideout and the smaller eel got away.

Avyson said he will use a spear gun next time. 

A few weeks ago (Sept. 2014), security personnel Wilfred got the same size of eel that Roberto caught using the smaller hooks and 30-pound line. The eel is also not out all the way from its hideout. The line was snapped likewise.

Somehow, it affects Wilfred and he's silent and frustrated for a few hours. Jovy Rodriguez, the bartender, said to him, "MOVE ON, WILFRED!"

Avyson Kurt, right, a Recreation staff at Palau Royal Resort, had a photo session with Roberto Hernandez in 2009 after Roberto came back from representing Palau in 2009 Oceania Zonal Chess Championship. Sad to say, Avyson passed away on New Year's Day of 2014 from stab wounds.
                       MAY YOUR SOUL REST IN PEACE AND WE WILL MISS YOU! 
                                    (Photo by Roberto Hernandez -- Taken by Jaime Guevarra)



Source: Chess And Music (Perfect Combination)
             The Beginning of Chess In Palau
             By Roberto Hernandez
             October 2014
             To be published as a book in the future


     

(801) Round 7 - 2014 World Chess Olympiad (Angie Missed CM Title vs. Burundi; Palau Open Team Lost To Haiti

On August 09, 2014, a few minutes before the start of the 7th round of 2014 World Chess Olympiad in Tromso, Norway, I met the Palau Women's Team hurriedly to inform them that it's a few minutes before the start of the round. If they are not seated at the time of the start of the round, they will all lose their matches. I also informed them that their opponent have not yet arrived. As they sit down, I took this first photo of Palau first Woman National Master Angelica Parrado, who has 2.5 points after 6 rounds. If she would win her game against Burundi, she would automatically become Palau first Woman Candidate Master.
                                                           (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)



Angelica Parrado's 10-year-old daughter Destiny Sisior won her game against Claudia Campimbare of Burundi-- by default. All 4 women players of Burundi didn't show up. A very sad turn of events for Angie as she lost her chance of a CM title because default wins are not recorded as a win. It's recorded as + -.

Haiti Board 1 player Mondoly Sanon defeated Palau Board 1 player Roberto Hernandez in the 7th round of 2014 World Chess Olympiad in 42 moves of Bird's Opening.  (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

All of Burundi Women players -- Board 1 Nadine Niziyigimana, Board 2 Emelyne Niyonkuru, Board 3 Aurore Itangishaka and Board 4 Claudia Kampimhare didn't show in the last 3 games. They have been disqualified. When the organizers check their rooms, they are all gone and their belongings, too. They defected to any of the 26 Schengen states for greener pasture. Because of this incident, Palau Board 1 player Angelica Parrado lost her chance for an automatic CM title had she won not by default.
                                                  (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)




Source: History of Chess In Palau 
             By Roberto Hernandez
             August 2014 

(800) MUSIC AND ME (July 17, 2014) ELIZALDE MADRINAN -- PRR Employee of the Year (2013)

2013 Employee of the Year Elizalde Madrinan, left, asked Roberto Hernandez, right, to write a short speech that he will deliver upon receiving the EOY Award.

The speech written by Roberto was not delivered. Instead, Eli made it shorter and more effective without mentioning chess and his upset win over Palau No. 1 Cyril Tomas Montel, Jr. in the 2011 Palau National Chess Championship.

Eli with GM (General Manager) Masayuki Kawaguchi. 

From left, F & B Manager Edwin Acuyan, Elizalde Madrinan, Lucille Partisala and GM Masayuki Kawaguchi.                                  (Photo by Roberto Hernandez)

 

(799) 9-ROUND 2014 PNCC POSTPONED TO NOV. 2 (TBN-Oct. 13, 2014)

:         PHYSICALLY DISABLED, MENTALLY FIT

                  World Chess Federation (FIDE) gives equal right to participate to everybody like IPCA (International Physically Disabled Chess Association). Its top player here, International Master (IM) Russian Andrei Obudchuk, left, played against Palau Board 1 player Roberto Hernandez in the 2^nd round of 2014 World Chess Olympiad in Tromso, Norway. Obudchuk’s teammates are 3 Russians and 1 Italian.      (Photo by Eric Ksau Whipps)   



               9-ROUND 2014 PNCC 
             POSTPONED TO NOV. 2  

TO GIVE more time for chess players to prepare for the 2014 Palau National Chess Championship, it was moved to Nov. 2 – Jan. 25 instead of Oct. 19-Jan. 18 as earlier reported.

                It can be moved again to Nov. 16 if the proposed changes are acceptable to everybody and have 2 extra weeks for awarding and planning for the Top 10 Championship next year.

                The format is all but one round-robin in the Top 10, Women and Junior Section while it’s Swiss system pairing for the Open section, with the winner qualifying in the Championship (Top 10). It’s the first cycle to choose the players that Palau will send to regional tournaments (2015 Oceania Zonal Chess Championship in July and Guam International Chess Tournament/Micronesian Open in February).

                The time control is 75 minutes + 30 seconds increment in the Top 10, Women and Open Section while it is 40 minutes + 30 seconds increment in the Junior Section.

       Agreed draws before the completion of Black’s 30^TH MOVE shall not be allowed. The exceptions are three-fold repetition of position or stalemate before the 30^th move.)

Recording of moves in Algebraic notation (AN) from start to finish is mandatory. Each player must record his previous move before making another move. The player may only record chess moves and the time displayed on the chess clock. The score sheet must have the ability to display the game in its entirety in accepted chess notation. Players should bring their own pencils or pens to record chess notation.

The use of mobile phones and other electronic means of communication inside the playing area while the games are in progress are strictly prohibited. A player who will violate this provision shall lose his/her game by forfeiture.

Defaulting time shall be thirty (30) minutes after the start of each round.

 Tie-Breaks – the following tie-break systems in descending order of priority shall be used to determine the final ranking of the players at the end of the tournament:

a.    Direct Encounter

b.    Buchholz System

c.    Median Buchholz (minus highest and lowest)

d.    S.B. System

e.    Number of wins (forfeit counted)

The prizes are $175.00 for the Top 10 Champion, $125.00 to 2^nd and $100.00 to 3^rd ; Women- 1^st ($125.00), 2^nd ($100.00), 3^rd ($75.00). The junior and open sections have the same cash prizes as: 1^st (100.00), 2^nd ($75.00) and 3^rd ($50.00).

            The registration of members ($10.00) and non-members ($20.00) of this tournament will proceed like the original date (Oct. 12) at Bethlehem Park. Players are requested to bring their chessboards and clocks so that they can practice, familiarize with the rules and socialize to their fellow chess players (old and new). I. D.’s will be issued to members who will pay their registration fees. It’s good for the year 2015.

            Solution to last week’s puzzle: 1. …Nd2+! 2. Rxd2 Rxe1+ 3. Kxe1 Rg1 mate.

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

Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez

               Tia Belau Newspaper

               Page 8

               Volume 23

               Issue 82

               October 13, 2014