Tuesday, January 08, 2008 GM Torre to play aggressive
EUGENE Torre, Asia’s first Grandmaster promised to be more aggressive in his upcoming rematch with fellow GM Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. this March in Quezon City.
“Slam bang ang gagamitin ko, I have to be more aggressive,” Torre said in an interview with NBN 4 Tele Dyaryo Sports host Sam Refran last Friday.
Torre lost his first one-on-one encounter with Antonio last 1998 and will be gunning for revenge in the rematch, which will be hosted by the Quezon City government.
As part of preparation, Torre is scheduled to represent the country in the inaugural of Asean Masters Circuit in Tarakan, Indonesia.
Meanwhile, Antonio, the country’s No.1 player is also confident that he can play very well his match with Torre.
“I’m playing at ICC (Internet Chess Club),” said Antonio.
Aside from gearing up for the mental aspect of the game, Antonio is also preparing physically. “I also go to the gym and play basketball,” said Antonio, who is also scheduled to leave the country this week to coach the RP team in the Asean Paragames in Thailand where the country is the defending champion.
On the other hand, Quezon City councilor Ariel Inton lauds the rematch of the country’s senior GMs.
“Both of them have international followers and they are both chess icons,” said Inton.
The 12-game tussle, held to commemorate the World Championships match between Anatoly Karpov and Victor Kortchnoi in 1978, stakes a cool P1.2 million, with P800,000 going to the winner and P400,000 to the loser. (PR)
