Torre set to make history in Istanbul Olympiad
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 26 Jul 2012
GRANDMASTER Eugene Torre?s strong finish in the 2012 National Open Chess Championships didn?t go unrewarded.
The 60-year-old brand new grandfather will make a record 21st appearance in the World Chess Olympiad as GM Julio Catalino Sadorra begged off to continue his studies at the Texas Tech University where he is taking B.S. Applied Mathematics.
This year?s Olympiad is slated on August 27 to September 10 in Istanbul, Turkey.
?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.
He 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.?
His amazing fitness is in full display during the tournament dubbed as the ?Battle of the Grandmasters.?
Instead of fading in a 15-match marathon, Torre won his last four matches to share third place with International Master Oliver Dimakiling although he missed the last outright seat to the Olympiad via tiebreak.
GM Mark Paragua won the tournament followed by Sadorra and Dimakiling.
Meanwhile, the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) headed by chairman/president Prospero ?Butch? Pichay Jr. exercised its option to pick the last player in the team on GM Oliver Barbosa.
The country?s top player, GM Wesley So, is seeded in the team and will man the top board followed by Barbosa, Torre, Paragua and Dimakiling.
Woman International Master Catherine Perena will anchor the women?s team followed by Woman FIDE Master Rulp Ylem Jose and Woman National Masters Janelle Mae Frayna, Jedara Docena and Jan Jodilyn Fronda.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Juarez defeats Valle by split decision to retain WBC belt in El Paso,Texas
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 31 May 2026Jose Sulaiman's 95th birthday is being celebrated with events around the world
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 31 May 2026Filipino referee Danrex Tapdasan is now one of the IBF board of directors
Sun, 31 May 2026Cavite Inter-Town Chess Tournament gets underway
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 31 May 2026Lieutenant Delfin Boholst: Soldier, Boxing Coach, Mentor
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sat, 30 May 2026O’Shaquie Foster vs Raymond Ford: Bad Blood Equals Good Fight
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 30 May 2026WBC Issues Rules Clarification for Designating David Benavidez Mandatory Challenger to Noel Mikaelian External Inbox Andre Courtemanche -- Big Media Buzz
Sat, 30 May 2026FOSTER VS. FORD – WEIGHTS AND THE FINAL WORD AHEAD OF TOMORROW NIGHT’S ACTION
Sat, 30 May 2026AWE to Air Live the WBC World Title Rematch of Kevin Lerena v. Ryad Merhy this Saturday
Sat, 30 May 2026Juego Todo exists in two powerful dimensions
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 30 May 2026‘The Homecoming’ Postponed in Vancouver
Sat, 30 May 2026Pound-for-Pound Puerto Rican Champion Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo to Defend Unified WBA, WBO and Ring Magazine Minimumweight World Titles Against the Philippines’ Joey Canoy
Sat, 30 May 2026Canoy now trains at MP Davao for Collazo's fight
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 30 May 2026Johann Chua claims Duya Airplay Sport 5800 Charity Cup Crown, pockets US$50,000 tops prize
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 30 May 2026“While others debate governance, the IBA continues to deliver.” IBA CEO & Secretary General Chris Roberts OBE on the organisation’s resilience and global ambition
Sat, 30 May 2026