Cardoso, first Filipino IM, 75

MANILA, Philippines - Rodolfo Tan Cardoso, the country’s first International Master, succumbed to heart attack at the Philippine Heart Center in QC yesterday. He was 75.

“He was a big loss to Philippine chess,” said Grandmaster Eugene Torre. “He has contributed a lot to Philippine  chess, especially lately as a teacher to our young players.”

“He was a true gentleman over the chessboard. Being the first IM of Asia, he helped spark interest in chess,” said two-time Olympian Sammy Estimo.

Cardoso, along with the late FIDE president Florencio Campomanes and National Masters Carlos Benitez and Glicerio Badilles composed the first Philippine team that saw action in the Moscow Olympiad in 1956.

Cardoso’s remains lies in state at La Funeraria Paz at the Manila Memorial in Sucat, Parañaque and will be brought to Alaminos, Pangasinan on Saturday. Interment will be on Monday.