These are the pictures of the first ever international chess tournament in Palau, the Palau Invitational Chess Championship held in August 30-Sept. 03, 2006. Sponsored by Oceania Zone president Gary Bekker of Australia, he now sponsored the airfare of Roberto Hernandez so that he can participate in the Oceania Zonal Chess Championship and Gold Coast Open from June 20-28, 2009.

Thank you Gary! Without you, where is Palau chess going?

The first Palau Invitational Chess Championship enabled the top six players of Palau to gain international ranking. It was done by Mr. Gary Bekker to Fiji and it is now sending their top players to the Chess Olympiads regularly.

The first 2 days of PICC was held at Palau Royal Resort  in August 30-31, 2006. I working there now as musician since June 01, 2007. Because the president of Taiwan occupied the whole hotel, the two players from New Zealand (Hilton Bennett and Paul Spiller) have to transfer to Palasia Hotel for the last 3 days of the tourney.

USA and Philippine chess Master Almario Marlon Bernardino was also invited to play at PICC as top seed. Mr. Gary Bekker also sponsored his airfare from Davao, Philippines to Palau via Asian Spirit airlines.

New Zealand chess federation president Paul Spiller donated his $100.00 cash prize of PICC to help in assisting player to participate in the Oceania Zonal Chess Championship in Fiji 2007. He also send Robert Hernandez, his opponent here the copy of his report about PICC in New Zealand Chess Magazine.

Palau Chess Federation chairman Francis 'Sno' Temaungil acted also as one of the arbiter in the PICC along with Jess Toldoya. They were given a norm for international arbiter. Four such norms are required to be an international arbiter. Mr. Gary Bekker is also an international arbiter and one of the 4 FIDE rated participants of PICC.

Knights and Rooks Chess Club (Palau) secretary/treasurer Gene Pastrana against Paul Spiller in this action at Palasia Hotel (Palau) who generously offered the site for free use of their conference room.

Mr. Gary Bekker before awarding the fish-shaped storyboard trophy at the Ming's Restaurant of Palasia Hotel where he treat everybody to snack and drinks at the awarding ceremony.

PICC champion Hilton Bennett in deep thought against Gene Pastrana in the first day of the event at Palau Royal Resort. Bennett's preparation for this event paid off as he finished the tournament unbeaten and just half a point ahead of top seed USA and Philippine chess master Almario Marlon Bernardino.

Marlon crushed the Dutch Defence of Robert Hernandez in this second round action of PICC. He is humble enough to give some pointers after the game.

After a short speech of Mr. Gary Bekker, all participants, arbiters and assistant take a group picture. The only two missing are Palau's top player Menandro Manuel and Jess Toldoya, one of the two arbiter. Flavin Andres assisted in the event and were given a book of Gary Kasparov by Mr. Bekker.

Jess Toldoya doing his arbiter's job between USA and Philippine chess master Almario Marlon Bernardino up against Cyril Montel, Jr. (Palau's no. 3 chess player).

Palau's no. 2 Jose Omega vs. no. 4 Robert Hernandez in the second round action at Palau Royal Resort. Marlon is watching while sipping his coffee.

Mr. Gary Bekker, Robert Hernandez, Gene Pastrana before the awarding of cash and trophy to the participants of first PICC.

Third place finisher Paul Spiller against 4th finisher Menandro Manuel at Palasia Hotel.

Philippine Ambassador to Palau Ramoncito Marino is ready to give the storyboard trophy to the champion while Mr. Bekker, Menandro, Jess, Marlon and the muse of the event are looking.

All the three points gathered by Manny Nedic from this event are all draws. He's playing here against third placer Paul Spiller. Marlon and Jess are looking with a security personnel of Palasia Hotel is on the sideline.

Mr. Bekker is ready to give the envelop (with cash) to the top 4 finishers of PICC. Assisting him are Robert Hernandez and Gene Pastrana.

Gene vs. Gary while Robert and Marlon are watching from the sideline.

Paul Spiller finished the tournament also unbeaten. He is up against Palau's no. 2 Jose Omega, who garnered 3.5 points in 9 rounds of play.

Manny Nedic, left, Palau's first National Master, vs. Marlon. On their table is a copy of Island Times newspaper (published twice a week in Palau) where Robert Hernandez wrote some chess articles.

Mr. Gary Bekker won half of his games as he scored 4.5 points in 9 rounds. He's got the lowest FIDE rating among the 4 invited players at 1895.

Paul Spiller vs. Cyril Montel, Jr. with Robert Hernandez looking on and as usual Marlon sipping his coffee.

It's Cyril vs. Marlon this time with Robert Hernandez watching and wearing a Dragon Tei Japanese Restaurant t-shirt where he is the pianist from June 23, 2006 to May 31, 2007.

Robert Hernandez against Cyril Montel, Jr. with Nazario 'Jun' Rodriguez watching the game. He is a reporter of Palau Horizon (twice a week newspaper also). He wrote an article about PICC after the conclusion of the event.

Gene Pastrana executes a move against Marlon while Robert Hernandez and Jun Rodriguez (both writer in different newspapers in Palau) watch closely.

Two strong players battle wits in this penultimate round of PICC. Looking on is Palauan boy Flavin 'Matlab' Andres, whom Gary Bekker called will be the future chess icon in Palau, watches from the sideline with Sno Temaungil recording the games in his laptop.

A surprise opening which Mr. Bekker is not familiar with, cost him a game against Cyril Montel, Jr. Jess Toldoya watches from beside.

Good Luck Robert! hope you win all your games, I'm very proud to be one of your friend.