Monday, May 15, 2006

Torre to Set Olympic Record

Eugene Torre, of the Philippines, is about to set an Olympiad record. From the Manila Bulletin:

The 53-year-old Torre spearheads the Philippine team that leaves tonight for Turin, Italy, site of the three-week long Olympiad. The chess Olympiad is held every two years.

Torre first saw action in the Olympiad at the age of 17 in 1970 in Siegen, Germany, playing board two behind the now-retired International Master Rodolfo Tan Cardoso.

Two years later, Torre assumed the top board in the Skopje Olympiad, a position he held until two years ago in Mallorca, Spain.

In an Olympic career spanning nearly four decades, Torre has compiled a record of 85 wins, 104 draws and 34 losses.

His 137 points is fourth in the all-time list of most points scored behind Portisch, Miguel Najdorf of Argentina and Svetozar Gligoric of Yugoslavia.

Third on the list of most matches played – 223, Torre is just eight matches shy of equaling the record held by Portisch.

Torre credits his durability to physical fitness and his insatiable appetite for the game.

Pinoy chess fans can be happy that their team seems to have good balance, a yin and a yang, or whatever you call it. Torre at one end and the 12-year old So on the other end. Beautiful! I have good feelings about it all. Good luck Team Philippines!

1 comment:

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