Eugenio Torre
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Eugenio Torre (born November 4, 1951) is a chess Grandmaster. He is considered the strongest chessplayer the Philippines has ever produced during the 1980's and 1990's period, following the heels of Fischer era Filipino chess champions NM Ramon Lontoc, IM Renato Naranja, IM Rodolfo Tan Cardoso and the deceased GM Rosendo Balinas, Jr. Super GM Mark Paragua is currently the top Philippine chessplayer.
Torre has the distinction of being the first Asian player to earn the much coveted title of International Grandmaster. In a tournament in Manila in the 1976, Torre beat then reigning world chess champion Anatoly Karpov in a game that has become part of Filipino chess history (moves given in Algebraic chess notation)(Sicilian Defense):
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 d6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.O-O-O Bd7 9.f4 b5 10.Qe1 Nxd4 11.Rxd4 Qb6 12.Rd2 Be7 13.Bd3 b4 14.Nd1 Bb5 15.Nf2 h6 16.Bh4 g5 17.fxg5 hxg5 18.Bg3 Nh5 19.Ng4 Nxg3 20.hxg3 Rxh1 21.Qxh1 Rc8 22.Kb1 Bxd3 23.cxd3 Qd4 24.Qd1 a5 25.Nh2 g4 26.Nxg4 Bg5 27.Rc2 Rxc2 28.Kxc2 a4 29.a3 b3 30.Kb1 d5 31.exd5 Qxd5 32.Nf2 Qxg2 33.Ne4 Be3 34.Nc3 Qc6 35.d4 Qc4 36.d5 e5 37.Qh1 Qd3+ 38.Ka1 Bd4 39.Qh8+ Kd7 40.Qa8 Qf1+ 41.Nb1 Qc4 42.Qb7+ Kd6 43.Qb8+ Kxd5 44.Qd8+ Ke6 45.Qe8+ Kf5 46.Qd7+ Kg6 47.Qg4+ Kf6 48.Nc3 Qf1+ 0-1
Torre qualified for the Candidates Matches for the 1984 World Championship. In that preliminary stage, the contenders play matches against each other to determine who will challenge the world champion. Torre was eliminated when he lost his match against Zoltan Ribli by a score of 6-4.
It is well-known that Torre is a friend of Bobby Fischer. He worked on Fischer's team in his 1992 rematch with Boris Spassky in Yugoslavia. Much later, Torre conducted interviews on Filipino radio with Bobby Fischer. Those interviews gained notoriety for Fischer, and despair for his fans. Torre continues to play actively in local and international tournaments.
His career, spanning almost 4 decades as of 2006, had seen him play in 19 consecutive Chess Olympiads breaking the old record of 18 consecutive held by Heikki Westerinen although still a shy of the record 20 non-consecutive appearances made by Hungary's Lajos Portisch. He had manned the top board for Team Philippines for a record 17 times already except in the 1970 and 2006 editions. He also has taken part in 6 Asian Chess Team Championships (1977, 1979, 1981, 1983, 1986, 1993) and once in the World Student Chess Team Championships (1969).
In 2006, Torre, along with Super GM Paragua, FMs Wesley So, Oliver Dimakiling and Darwin Laylo and IM Rolando Nolte, participated in the 2nd San Marino International Chess Open where he tied for 4th-11th places with 6.5 points in 9 rounds where he eventually placed 7th after the tie-breaks becoming the highest-placed Filipino in the said tournament. He had a performance rating of 2612 at the said tournament and won euro 1,000 for his 7th-place finish.
Eugenio Torre should not be confused with Mexican Grandmaster Carlos Torre.
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[edit] The Rise of Grandmaster Eugene Torre
Like everyone’s success story, everybody has got to start somewhere. A career that began at the tender age of six, Grandmaster Eugene Torre’s straddle to the top is proof that a Mapúan can make it big in any chosen endeavor.
Indeed, it pays to start early. Eugene Torre first took hold of the chess pieces in kindergarten. His father taught him the basics of chess. Later on, as his father saw the potential in the him, the young Torre started to get into kiddie tournaments where he won in surprising fashion.
The little kid born in Iloilo City in November 4, 1951, quickly became a stalwart in the game, even when chess was not as popular as it is now. That early, his life evolved in the sport. Days when he should have been in the company of his mom were spent in training matches with his father and brother. But all these, he said, were fun times, for it brought him closer to his father, his mentor. Not only was he trained in the strategies of winning the game, but more importantly, he was taught the hard work and attitude involved in the game. And it made a difference.
Even so, Eugene never deprived himself of the simple joys every boy likes to do. He recalls his times when he would play trump with his friends or figure in a game of tumbang preso with the neighborhood kids. He describes his life as something that is extraordinary. A typical boy’s room would have action figures and posters all over, but his was different, unconventional. The walls of his room were adorned with medals, trophies and plaques. His action figures were the pawns, knights, rooks, kings and queens that he toys with. Even so, he persisted. He realized that chess would become his bread and butter and that he would go a long way.
Sooner than expected, Eugene established himself as the Philippines’ rising star in chess, someone who would bring honor to his country. Medal after medal, trophy after trophy, he set his sights on becoming a grandmaster, a feat that no man in Asia has ever achieved at that time.
His winning ways continued through his college years, benchmarked by his stint as National Junior Chess champion at age 16. His love for Math brought him to Mapúa. But his life in the Institute was somewhat rocky; he found it too difficult to focus on academics and the sport at the same time. During his time, the campus was still in Doroteo Jose. There he first took up Commerce then shifted to Business Administration in the now defunct School of Business Administration. Sadly, one had to give in. Student Eugene Torre only made it until his third year. He had to give up school because some of his tournaments were held outside the country. And it is one decision he regrets. Nevertheless, Eugene Torre grins whenever he remembers his college days. He recounted his experiences with inconsiderate instructors, who gave him no preferential treatment, but taught well. Until now, he still has high respects for Mapúa graduates, for he has proven that in Mapua, no one can cheat his way through college. Instead of sulking at his demystifying college life, Eugene moved on and focused on becoming a full-time chess master.
It was clear that Eugene Torre was headed to the top. His game improved and he eventually made his way to chess Olympiads where competition is at a brain-breaking level. He sat alongside opponents like Garry Kasparov, Anatoly Karpov, Viswanathan Anand, Mikhail Tal, Boris Spassky, Viktor Korchnoi, Lajos Portisch, Ljubomir Ljubojevic, Florin Gheourgiu, among others. In 1974, 22-year-old Eugene Torre became Asia’s first grandmaster by winning the silver medal at board 1 in the World Chess Olympiad in Nice, France. By the end of the year, he had reached an ELO (the performance level by which chess players are graded) Rating of 2520.
GM Eugene Torre made headlines when his overall performance for 1982 earned him a spot at the prestigious World Candidates Chess Championships, pitting him against the likes of the legendary Zoltan Ribli. Add that up to his perennial inclusion in the World Chess Olympiad, where he struts his stuff at board one, which he has been manning since 1974. By 1985, his ELO rating ballooned to 2602. In 1986, during the peak of his career, GM Torre was ranked 40th in the world with an ELO rating of 2619. Using his favorite Torre Attack, or sometimes the Sicilian Defense, he surprises his opponents by playing novelty moves so that he can effectively execute his attack. One of his memorable matches was in 1972 when he defeated former world champion and contemporary Anatoly Karpov in their game in Skopje, Yugoslavia. He utilized the Queen’s Gambit Declined Slav Exchange in attacking the pawn-less defense of Karpov. Because of this, GM Eugene Torre was regarded as the next super grandmaster. He has virtually traveled the world to represent his country in tournaments. He has been in such diverse countries such as Iraq, Albania, Madagascar, Russia and Vietnam. Indeed, GM Torre has achieved a lot not only for himself but for his country as well.
Even now that GM Torre has mastered almost every move and strategy in his sport, he still takes time out to practice. Staying in his quiet abode in Baguio City, he never tires of the sport that gave him his life. He insists that in order for one to really excel in this sport, practice has to be the main routine. Currently having a 2520 ELO rating, his dream of becoming the topnotch chess player in the world is his motivation to pursue greater challenges.
Unlike other great sportsmen like Efren Reyes, who doesn’t bathe before a game, GM Torre has never held such beliefs. He never had an amulet, he never drank a special soup, he never prayed over eggs. He says that the only way to win a game is to focus and believe that you can do it. He also added that the elements to a good game are practice, ample sleep and prayer.
His popularity catapulted him to other fields of practice. At present, he is one of the board directors of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, the governing body of the sport in the country. His present position may sound too arduous but he loves it. It is his duty to take care of the welfare of the thousand chess players in the country and to discover new talents that would take his place some time in the future. This is his way of giving thanks to the sport that placed him where he is now.
For Grandmaster Eugene Torre, life is how we make it. Throughout his career as a chess player, he learned that the love for the game is the key to making it big in any endeavor. His character, built upon his attitude and determination, brought the best in him. He says that in life, like in the game of chess, every move is crucial.
Eugene Torre has nothing more to prove. He is one man who dreamed big by doing the thing he does best. He is not only Mapúa’s pride but the Philippine goldmine as well. All told, the secret to GM Torre’s secret to success is his character. To him, one can and will excel if he puts his heart into it. The sport of chess brought out the best in him. And the rest is history. Regarded as a living-legend in his chess-mad homeland, Torre won the first of his many national titles in 1970 at the age of 19. He has dominated the Philippines chess scene for over three decades now, failing only twice (1990 and 2000) not to win championships he played in. (Angelito “Ace” T. Yutuc, Jr., The New Builder 2001, Mapua Institute of Technology)
[edit] Eugene Torre wins (2002) Philippine National Championship
Eugene Torre shot to prominence in 1976 as a possible future title challenger after winning a strong 4-man tournament in Manila ahead of world champion Anatoly Karpov - thus becoming the first player to finish ahead of Karpov in a tournament since the latter became world champion. The high-point of his career came in the early 1980s when he was ranked world No.17; successfully going on to qualify to be a candidate for the world championship after tying for first with Lajos Portisch during the 1982 Toluca Interzonal.
After losing his quarter-final candidates match to Zoltan Ribli in 1983, Torre became disillusioned with chess and more or less went into semi-retirement. He went on to become a minor celebrity due to his daily one hour TV programme "Chess Today", and was once voted one of the ten sexiest sportsmen in the Philippines - all of which ultimately led to a cameo spot in a movie.
He became one of the few trusted confidantes of Bobby Fischer, who in turn made Torre his official second for his 1992 return match with Boris Spassky that took place in war torn Yugoslavia. Fischer also relied on Torre in 1996 when the wayward American genius launched "Fischer Random Chess" in Argentina. One anecdote during this period has it that when Torre and Fischer boarded a taxi in Buenos Aires, the driver immediately recognised Torre as a chess player. As both were about to leave the taxi, the driver, not knowing who the other distinguished passenger was, asked Torre: "Whatever happened to that crazy guy Fischer?"
Now on the comeback trail, Torre got off to a bad start in the 2002 Philippine National Championships in Makati with a score of 2/5. However Torre soon found his form of old with a string of impressive wins to once again take the crown with a final tally of 10.5/14 at the age of 51, thus, becoming the oldest winner of the championships.
The winning of the title now guarantees Torre top board in the forthcoming 2002 Bled Olympiad, as the Philippines always select the top six players from the National Championship to represent their country in the biennial team tournament. (http://www.chessbase.com/columns/column.asp?pid=76)
[edit] Torre breaks Chess Olympiad Record
Eugene Torre, Asia’s first GRANDMASTER, has broken new ground as a Philippine chess team member in the ongoing 37th World Chess Olympiad in Turin, Italy.
The 53-year old Torre joined the record books when he made his 19th consecutive appearance in the Chess Olympics and moves just one short of tying the all-time record for most appearances held by the legendary Lajos Portisch of Hungary.
Portisch achieved the feat between 1956 and 2000, while Torre has been to every Olympiad since 1970. On the other hand, Torre also surpassed the record of Paul Westerinen of Finland for most number of consecutive Olympiads played.
Torre spearheads the Philippine team in Turin for the three-week long Olympiad. The chess tournament is held every two years.
Torre first saw action in the Olympics 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 at 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.
"I will keep on playing as long as I remain useful to the team," said Torre who has fought some of the biggest names in the Olympiad: Garry Kasparov, Anatoly Karpov, Viswanathan Anand of India and reigning world champion Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria to name a few.
After 34 years of playing the top board, Torre is now on board two in deference to current No. 1 Mark Paragua, the first and only Filipino GM who has breached the elite 2600 ELO barrier.
"It’s time for the new breed of players to take over. I’m confident Mark is up to the challenge," said Torre.
GM Joey Antonio, the most experienced member next to Torre, is playing board three. He has not dropped a single match in the last two Olympiads.
Darwin Laylo, the reigning national champion, will be making his second straight Olympic stint, manning the fourth board.
FIDE Masters Oliver Dimakiling and Wesley So, the other survivors of the rigorous elimination matches, have made their Olympic debuts at board five and six, respectively.
At 12, So is one of the Olympiad’s youngest participants.
In 2004, the Philippines toppled former Olympic champions Hungary and Serbia Montenegro (formerly Yugoslavia) in the last two rounds to barge into the Magic 20.
The women’s team, handled by ex-Olympian Cesar Caturla, is made up of Woman International Master Sheerie Joy Lomibao and Beverly Mendoza, WNMs Catherine Perna and Sherily Cua. (http://www.goodnewspilipinas.com/docs/sporting_gold/archived/eugene_torre.html)
[edit] Awards/Achievements
- Asia's first Grandmaster at the age of 22
- 2006 2nd San Marino International Chess Open, 7th place
- 2005 5th Bangkok Chess Club Open, 2nd Place (7.5/9 lost in tiebreak to GM Ian Rogers)
- 2005 SouthEast Asian Games, Bronze Medal (Men's Individual Rapid Chess)
- 2005 SouthEast Asian Games, Silver Medal (Men's Standard Team Event)
- 2002 Philippine National Championships, Champion
- 1993 Asian Chess Team Championships, 3rd place in Board 1 (6.5 points/9)
- 1986 Dubai, UAE Chess Olympiad, Bronze Medalist in Board 1 garnering 9.5 points/13 (7 wins, 5 draws, 1 loss)
- 1983 Asian Chess Team Championships, 1st place in Board 1 (8.5 points/9)
- 1980 La Valletta, Malta Chess Olympiad, Bronze Medalist in Board 1 scoring 11 points/14 (9 wins, 4 draws, 1 loss)
- 1977 Asian Chess Team Championships, 1st place (6.0 points/7)
- 1976 The Marlboro-Loyola Kings Challenge, Champion (becoming the first player to finish ahead of Anatoly Karpov since becoming world champion)
- 1974 Nice, France Chess Olympiad, Silver Medalist in Board 1 (behind Anatoly Karpov) going undefeated in 19 matches with 9 wins and 10 draws for 14 points/19
- 1970 Philippine Junior and Adult Champion
- Once ranked as high as No. 17 in the world in the 1980s
- Has appeared in the Chess Olympics for 19 consecutive times erasing the previous record of Heikki (Paul) Westerinen of Finland for most consecutive appearances but still a shy of the record 20 appearances held by Lajos Portisch of Hungary
- played Board 2 for Team Philippines in the 1970 Chess Olympiad at Siegen, Germany behind the now-retired IM Rodolfo Tan Cardoso
- in the 1972 Skopje Olympiad, he assumed the top board (Board 1) for Team Philippines, a position he held until the 2004 Olympiad held at Mallorca, Spain (a total of 17 Olympiads, a world record)
- played Top Board in the following Olympiads: Skopje 1972, Nice 1974 (where he got his GM title and led the Philippines to a then unprecedented 11th place finish), Haifa 1976, Buenos Aires, 1978, Malta 1980, Lucerne 1982, Thessaloniki 1984, Dubai 1986, Thessaloniki 1988 (where the Philippines recorded its best finish at 7th place), Novi Sad 1990, Manila 1992, Moscow 1994, Yerevan 1996, Elista 1998, Istanbul 2000, Bled 2002 and Calvia de Mallorca 2004
- at the 2006 Olympiad at Turin, Italy, gave way to Super GM Mark Paragua on top board as he played Board 2 for only the second time in his entire Olympics career
- after 19 consecutive Chess Olympiads, Torre has recorded 86 wins, 111 draws and 39 losses in 236 games for a total score of 141.5 points, fourth over-all in Olympiad history behind Lajos Portisch (176.5/260 games), Miguel Najdorf (145/222 games) and Svetozar Gligoric (142.5/223 games)
