Asia’s first GM Torre to hold simul chess exhibition in Ozamiz

Asia’s first chess grandmaster and Hall of Famer Eugene Torre will play simultaneous chess exhibition matches at the City Auditorium in Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental on July 8.

National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Board of Director Engr. Rey C. Urbiztondo said Torre, the “Living Legend” of Philippine chess will hold a simul with select students and chess enthusiasts of Misamis Occidental as part of the 75th Charter Anniversary celebration of Ozamiz.

Misamis Occidental Gov. Henry Oaminal Sr. is also supporting the one-day unique chess activity.

“We’re excited.The students and residents of Misamis Occidental are eager to meet and even play Asia’s First GM Eugene Torre in simultaneous chess exhibition matches,” said Urbiztondo, an online Arena Grandmaster who is also the team owner of the Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) and the Surigao Diamond Knights in the Philippine Chess League.

This is the second time that Torre will play simultaneous exhibition matches in Misamis Occidental. The first one was in 2005.

“Asia’s First GM Eugene Torre was the perfect choice to do the rare simultaneous chess exhibitions. Most of the young kids today look up to him as their idol,” Gov. Oaminal said.

Last year, the 71-year-old Torre was inducted into the World Chess Hall of Fame, making him not only the first Filipino but the first player from Asia to be bestowed with the honor.

Aside from the simul, there will also be a two-day chess tournament on July 8-9 dubbed as the Asenso Misamis Occidental National Open Chess Tournament.

Urbiztondo said the open category champion here will run away with the lion’s share of P30,000.

The second to sixth placers will receive P20,000, P15,000, P10,000, P5,000 and P2,000, respectively.

The rest of the top 10 finishers will get P1,000 apiece. The elementary category champion will win P2,000 while the high school category champion and top Misamis Occidental player will

receive P3,000 each.

Special prizes are P1,000 each shall be given to the top senior (60 and above), top unrated and top female player.

The tournament is organized by the Misamis Occidental Federated Chess Association and hosted by Mayor Henry Oaminal, Jr. and Rep. Sancho Fernando Oaminal.

Tournament arbiter is former NCFP board of director Atty. Cliburn Anthony Orbe.