Torre bags PGMA chess title
09/12/2008 07:29 PM
MANILA, Philippines – Asia’s first Grandmaster Eugene Torre turned back the hands of time to bag the President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Cup international chess championship title held at the Duty Free Fiesta Mall in Paranaque City.
Torre was forced to a draw by GM Ehsan Ghaemmaghami of Iran in Friday’s final round to finish the nine-round tournament with seven points. He ended up tied with 2007 champion GM Li Chao of China and Singapore GM Zhang Zhong but ended up with the title because of a better tiebreak point.
“Masayang-masaya ako. It’s a big honor for me to win this title. I felt like I was young again,” said Torre.
Li, who also figured in a three-way tie for the top spot in last year’s edition, was able to tie Torre by defeating compatriot and No. 8 seed GM Zhou Weiqi while Zhang drew with GM Mikheil Mchedlishvili of Georgia, who defeated Torre in the eight round.
Torre finished with a 2572 tiebreak score against Li’s 2533 and Zhang’s 2532.
The three players bagged US$5,000 (P234,300) each from the combined first to third place cash prizes of US$15,000 (P702,900).
This is Torre’s first major title for in five years. – GMANews.TV
Can somebody interview Mr. Torre to find out how much he learned of chess from Bob Fischer? Openings? Middle-games? Endgames? Principles, yet unheard of?
Yes, nobody knew Fischer better than our very own Eugene Torre, even Mr Larry Evans.
Torre is not only brilliant in Chess but also in academics. He is a product of one of the best Engineering schools here in our country.
Congratulations!
I hope to see Torre play in the Olympiad in Dresden now.