FILIPINO grand master (GM) Eugene Torre was impressed by the talents of Dabawenyo chessers, having lost four matches and drew 11 games in his two-day simultaneous exhibition in Davao City over the weekend.
National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) regional director James Infiesto said, "He was impressed by our chess players' enthusiasm and love for chess! He finds our youth players very strong."
Torre, 2016 World Chess Olympiad bronze medalist in Baku, Azerbaijan, eked out 14 wins, tied six and lost two matches at Market Basket in Lanang last Saturday that draw a total of 22 participants.
He outclassed Andrea Olis of Davao Christian High School, Eugene Ambor of the University of the Immaculate Conception (UIC), Ryan Rasay of Sped Bangkal, Alisa Tabudlong of Davao Wisdom Academy, Zsuzsa Tabudlong and Kurt Placencia of the University of Mindanao (UM), Gian Navalta of Ateneo de Davao University, Fred de Veyra of Davao del Norte, Mary Israel Palero of BDO, businessman Julius Salubre, Herman Corro of Agusan, Jayquiel Balite of City Mayor's Office, person with disability (PWD) Chester Arriesgado and self employed Glenn Warren Uy.
He forced deadlocks with UM's Exiquila Apao, Dominique Urbiztondo of Phil. Science High School, Gino Asuncion of San Pedro College, Rey Urbiztondo of Metrobank, lawyer Melzar Galicia of Goc-Ong & Galicia Law Firm and Sammy Gulanes of Davao del Norte.
Torre, however, bowed to 14-year-old Earl Rhay Mantilla of UM and 17-year-old Hareve James of Jose Maria College.
Over at Jardindel Roca Mountain Resort in Eden, Toril, Asia's first GM beat 11 opponents, tied with five players, and bowed to two
chessers.
He prevailed over Homer Rotulo, Jerico Rotulo, Marcelo Opalla, lawyer Jong Guevarra, Lorraine Yngayo, Irish Yngayo, Christian Dumogho, CaissaGuevarra, Florence Guevarra, Marifel Tomas and David Belisario.
He split points with Charlene Moulic, Chris Yap, James Bulicatin, Alex Clavite and Ronnil Agustines but was upset by Ateneo chess coach Ariel Aton and Jimzon Trangia.
Torre, in a media interview Friday, said he came to the city to grant an invitation for him to do a series of simultaneous chess exhibition. But he grabbed the opportunity to also renew acquaintances with chess enthusiasts and old friends and see the city that he last visited 11 years ago. He also wished to meet President Rodrigo Duterte again.
Infiesto, meanwhile, thanked lawyer Jong Guevarra, Engineer Allan Diez, Engineer Glenn Paclar, Boy Sarmiento, Chris Yap, Rey Urbiztondo, national master Jonathan Tan and Jeanie Molina of Damosa Market Basket for supporting Torre's visit and exhibition games.