NCFP rejection imperils Torre bid
By Cedelf P. Tupas
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 22:49:00 07/04/2008
MANILA, Philippines–The National Chess Federation OF the Philippines’ rejection of Grandmaster Eugene Torre’s appeal for an outright inclusion in the RP chess Olympiad-bound squad could also spell the end of the Filipino chess luminary’s attempt to surpass the appearance record in the prestigious tournament.
Torre has played in 19 consecutive Olympiads and his participation in this year’s tournament in Dresden, Germany could have put him in a tie of with Hungary legend Lajos Portisch, who has a record 20 appearances.
“At the moment, I can see myself for two more Olympiads, which is enough to achieve a record of 21 appearances,” the 56-year-old Torre, who manned the top board for the Philippines in the Olympiad for a record 17 times, said in his letter to National Chess Federation president Prospero Pichay.
“Considering my age, it is my hope that the NCFP spares me from the rigors of a selection tournament and extend its support for this rare opportunity,” Torre said, noting that he has kept his ELO above 2500 for the past three decades.
The NCFP is currently holding the Olympiad qualifier at the Mandaluyong City Hall with Torre and fellow GM Joey Antonio among the notable absentees. GM Bong Villamayor and IM John Paul Gomez currently share the lead in that event.
Former NCFP officer Sammy Estimo said Antonio declined to join the qualifiers because of the event’s “killer” format.
Estimo, who captained the Philippines in the past three Olympiads in Slovenia (2002), Spain (2004) and Italy (2006), said that the qualifier has become “torturous” to the point that one player has withdrawn because of illness. Estimo did not name the player.
Source: sports.inquirer.net
Torre had his cake from Campomanes all throughout his chess career. It is just proper and much long overdue for the new Pichay chess leadership to give fair chances and develop upcoming young Filipino chess talents.
Other Filipino world class beaters particularly the late seven time Philippine champion GM Balinas, IMs’ Cardoso, Ruben Rodriguez, Naranja, more recently Barcenilla and others, never received the same support that Campo gave his golden boy Torre.
Consequently, during Philippine’s reign of Asian chess during the 1960’s ’70s and early ’80s, Campomanes did not focus on other younger chess talents, resulting in the stagnation of Philippine chess, despite Torre, Balinas, and Antonio’s successes.
Campo’s style was to handpick his few selected favorites, with Torre first, to play in international tournaments. His actions were directly responsible for the lack of development of Filipino chess talents and the demise of Philippine chess power, while he was building up his FIDE power base.
The new leadership of Pichay emphasized a far superior, successful and FAIR approach- ‘every one has to play and prove their worth’ to be the best Philippine representative(s) not only in the World Chess Olympiads but in other international chess tournaments. No more favoritisms.
Filipinos saw on ABS-CBN, the dying Grandmaster Rosendo Balinas who condemned Campomanes’ unfair treatment and supression of other deserving Filipino chess players.
And Eugene Torre just kept quiet all these many years. He now should show his class by agreeing to participate, or stand back and give the new young chess talents the opportunity to develop, and perhaps give honor and prestige back to Philippine chess.
Bla, bla. What a loaf of crap. Torre can be a record holder, hey!!!
Cheers!
No idea/comment on the first post, and I have no objection to GM Torre, but as a Portisch fan, I hope he keeps his record.
Bla, I totally agree with the first post, but not yours. Show some objective and logical posting. About time other aspiring Filipino players are given a break. Torre had his time. He cannot be given another slot and leave a deserving player out.
Else, Torre should have played in the qualifying. 56 years old is still young. Korchnoi is 70 plus years old and still play at over 2600 level.
A possible Philippine team line up from this list:
Wesley So
Mark Paragua
Darwin Laylo
Jason Gonzales
Bong Villamayor
IMs John Paul Gomez, Ronald Bancod, Julio Catalino Sadorra
However, Eugene’s services can be well utilized as a coach IMO.
Inconsistency is the Philippino way:
Rank Name Rtg Pts
1 IM GOMEZ John Paul 2457 7½
2 GM VILLAMAYOR Buenaventura 2469 6
3 GM SO Wesley 2577 5½
4 IM GARMA Chito 2346 5
5 GM GONZALES Jayson 2524 4½
6 GM LAYLO Darwin 2504 4½
7 IM BANCOD Ronald 2375 4½
8 CARLOS Leonardo 0 4½
9 GM PARAGUA Mark 2523 3½
10 IM NOLTE Rolando 2522 3½
11 IM NADERA Barlo 2401 3½
12 HABLA Jony 0 3½
13 NODADO Jerry 0 3½
14 IM SADORRA Julio Catalino 2470 3
15 DELA CRUZ Noel 0 3
16 IM BITOON Richard 2439 2½
17 PASCUA Haridas 2174 2
18 GATUS Edmundo 0 2
Eugene playing would have thrashed this field flat! But he didn’t because he don’t want to destroy own countrymen, but other country people in Dresden! That’s what I call patriotic.
Torre breaks Chess Olympiad Record
Eugene Torre, Asia’s first GRANDMASTER, has broken new ground as a Philippine chess team member in the 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 second Philippine International Master Renato Naranja.
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.
‘Torre had his cake from Campomanes all throughout his chess career.”
Just fair to continue with Mr. Pichay’s cake, too.
“Every one has to play and prove their worth’ to be the best Philippine representative”
How do you prove this by playing against one another? How does this prove that IM Gomez can draw with Leko or Kramnik on board one?
Great! Now it is John Paul Gomez’ turn to shine. We hope he can hold on, and get his GM title in Dresden!
1 IM GOMEZ John Paul 2457 7½
2 GM VILLAMAYOR Buenaventura 2469 6
3 GM SO Wesley 2577 5½
4 IM GARMA Chito 2346 5
5 GM GONZALES Jayson 2524 4½
6 GM LAYLO Darwin 2504 4½
7 IM BANCOD Ronald 2375 4½
8 CARLOS Leonardo 0 4½
It would be good to see IM John Paul Gomez go on to win and represent the Philippines in Dresden.
This proves Pichay’s fair play principle. Anyone, not just one, of the Filipino talents can achieve greatness if given the chance.
No free cake from Pichay. You work hard, keep yourself in fighting shape, prove yourself, and you will be rewarded. Sounds simple and fair.
The way things go in Pichay’s leadership, we should see more Filipino players achieving GM titles. Are there five more Pinoy GM prospects?
But long ways to go before the Philippines can be Asia’s best again.
“new Pichay chess leadership”
Sorry, but who are the chess authorities in this leadership? Who knows what’s best? Are there any GMs, like Torre?
I gather you know that if this qualifier was to be played again, all results would be different, so who’s to say that the ones qualifying from the currently going one are really the best Pinoys?
Just start by looking at our webpages. Disappointing! No live games, everyone gives them since years ago!
http://www.ncfphilippines.org
Go Gomez!!!
‘Are there five more Pinoy GM prospects’
Collecting GMs? Wow-whee, what a project. For what purpose?
NEXT FILIPINO GRANDMASTERS?
IM GOMEZ John Paul
IM GARMA Chito
IM BANCOD Ronald
IM NOLTE Rolando
IM NADERA Barlo
IM SADORRA Julio Catalino
IM BITOON Richard
IM BARCENILLA R.
LOOKS LIKE THERE ARE MORE THAN FIVE POTENTIAL FILIPINO GMS ?
AMAZING NUMBER OF FILIPINO TALENTS.
BET THERE WILL BE NEW NON-TITLED PLAYERS WHO WILL EXCEL IN THE QUALIFIERS.
THERE IS LIFE AND GOOD FUTURE FOR PHILIPPINE CHESS AFTER ALL.
I admire GM Torre but its time to go , past the torch and let give our young players a crack to show what they can.
It’s time for a change!
Many filpino chess talents goes ashore because of favoritism.
COACH The team and share your experiences with them.
LONG LIVE PICHAY!