Torre makes record 21st Chess Olympiad

MANILA, Philippines - GM Eugene Torre gets the chance to set a new record in next month’s Chess Olympiad as he joins the team after GM Julio Catalino Sadorra begged off to continue his studies at the Texas Tech University.

Sadorra, a B.S. Applied Mathematics student, finished second to GM Mark Paragua in last week’s National Open to gain a berth in the national team.

Torre, on the other hand, lost to IM Oliver Dimakiling in their battle for the last berth.

But with Sadorra begging off, Torre, 60, will be making a record 21st Olympiad appearance.

“This is unexpected. I never envisioned myself representing the country in the biggest stage of chess competition as a senior citizen,” said Torre, who will break a tie with Hungarian GM Lajos Portisch for the most number of stints in the Olympiad.

Portisch has played in 20 consecutive Olympiads while Torre has represented the country in 19 straight Olympiads and 20 overall – the first in Siegen, Germany in 1970 and the latest in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia in 2010.

This year’s Olympiad is set Aug. 27- Sept. 10 in Istanbul, Turkey.

Torre, a tennis buff, credited his longevity and durability to a healthy lifestyle that includes regular workout in a popular gym.

“It’s not just about talent anymore. My recent success is a testament of the importance of living a healthy life,” said Torre.

Torre’s sweep of his last four games in last week’s Battle of the GMs underscored his readiness for the Olympiad.

Meanwhile, the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, headed by chairman/president Butch Pichay, exercised its option to pick the last player in the team on GM Oliver Barbosa.

GM Wesley So, the country’s leading player, has been seeded into the team and will man the top board followed by Barbosa, Paragua, Torre and Dimakiling.

Torre welcomes the idea of playing on Board 4.

“Four is a lucky number for me. I was born on the fourth of November and became a GM in 1974,” Torre said.

He also manned Board 4 when the country won the silver medal in the last Asian Games in Guangzhou.