http://www.chessdom.com/eugenio-tor...

"Chess is like life. When you are checkmated it seems the King is dead but in fact it is just trapped. It can’t move, it is trapped, but it is not dead."

http://www.bworldonline.com/content...

I receive 1-comment in my blog and it's very interesting facts i've discovered.

Noted, look forward to GM Wes' 6th win soon vs Hydra GM.

<In Bombay a friendly American in his early twenties boarded the plane and introduced himself to Eugene as Dave. The two shook hands.

Some 15 minutes later, Dave casually brought out, from his satchel, a small makeshift wooden board that looked all too familiar to Eugene. He had a similar one in his own bag and was about ready to take it out himself.

While going through the motions of arranging the pieces, Dave noticed the excited expression on the face of his new-found acquaintance from the Philippines. "Oh, I'm a chess addict," Dave remarked. "I play alone sometimes, but you seem to be familiar with the pieces. Why don't we both enjoy a friendly game or two?"

"I'd rather not," Eugene replied, embarrassed.

"C'mon. I'll help you along the way," Dave insisted.

After the first two games had ended at rather short notice, the American was flustered: "Listen man, I was the champion in my college days, which wasn't too long ago. But you're a real jock! What's your profession anyway?"

"I'm the Asian chess champion," Eugene answered, his face flushed.

"Damn it, I should have known better," laughed Dave with typical American good nature. "But just wait till my Bobby Fischer gets to you. He'll annihilate you. Has he ever played you yet?"

"No, but I'm looking forward to that," Eugene smiled.>

<FIDE World Senior Chess Championships> 2012: Galini Wellness Spa & Resort 5-star Hotel, 12 - 25 November @ Kamena Vourla - GREECE

This is an ANNUAL EVENT! If not this year ... NEXT YEAR HOPEFULLY !

Time flies really fast. It was just like yesterday when we had our dinner with GM Eugene to celebrate his 60th bday.

And now, after almost a year, we are again sitting in Cyma Eastwood to celebrate his 61st Birthday. Cyma Restaurant is now recognized as the official restaurant of GETS get together!

The man who arrived at 7 pm did not look like he is already in possession of a senior citizen card. Could be mistaken for someone who was born just 50 summers ago.

Pulsar, Epistle and Dari Castro accompanied me to continue the tradition of breaking bread with GM Torre to celebrate his bday.

Although his brithday is still a week from now, we know that there will be other celebrations prepared by his family, friends, business associates and other supporters that is why we deemed it prudent to schedule it sooner. Iba na nakauna: )

The group met at SM Megamall to buy the cake and our small gift for GM Eugene at Toy Kingdom.

At 6 pm, we proceeded to Cyma Eastwood. Since it is already our 6th visit at Cyma Eastwood, the head waiter immediately recognized us. Slaps of high fives were exchange and instructions on when the cake will be brought to the table.

One good thing in having constant dinner with a health buff is that you tend to acquire his choice of food. Just imagine, two years ago, during our first dinner, only GM Eugene ordered for something that swims, everyone else went for the old reliable red meat. Fast forward to present, 4 requested for Salmon and 1 for Blue Marlin: )

Before we started our dinner, GM Eugene pulled out from his clutch bag tokens from the Indonesian Open. Another chess treasure which will go in my chess vault.

As we partake of our dinner, we started swapping stories specifically on the Olympiad wherein Philippines improved on their previous 50th placing.

In summary, these were his thoughts:

- The 21st place finish is an
impressive performance. Moreover, in
9th round, they were sitting next to
the top board. This is the closest
they have come to the board 1
position since he started playing in
1970. If his recollection was
correct, they experienced playing on
board 5 or 6 during the 1988
Thessaloniki Olympiad.

- He was struggling against GM Berkes
of Hungary but was able to recover in
the latter part of the game.

- He mentioned that he was interviewed
by the New in Chess for their Special
Olympiad Edition. Checked the New In
Chess site and saw that his game
against GM Short is featured in the
magazine.

- His 21st appearance was really
recognized by both organizers and
players. A lot of people
congratulated him on this milestone.
He was told that he is the only
player who has played in more than
half of the Oympiad since it started.

- One of his objectives is to promote
Fischer Random. There is a
possibility that a tournament here in
the country will be organized to
start the ball rolling.

- For the next Olympiad on Tromso,
Norway (2014), hopefully, there is
again a qualifying tournament for RP
Team. If there is, he will play and
try to make the team.

- 3.3 Zonals will be in January 2013 in
Tagaytay. This will be his next
tournament. World Chess Seniors
Championship will have to wait. Maybe
next year : )

- I mentioned about wordfunph's
treasure find, the book on GM Torre
"Beyond the 13th Move". I asked him
about the santol incident and he said
that he remembered it very well
because the plaster used to cover
half of his upper body made it
difficult for him to scratch the
itchy part of his body.

After dinner, I then motioned for the head waiter to bring the cake to our table. Both GM Eugene and I got surprised when the waiter and waitresses wailed out a Happy Birthday song. That was not part of the request : ) I guess, they've grown fond of GM Eugene who is a regular customer of the restaurant. After the blowing of cake, we handed our simple gift.

It was an Iron Man action figure from GETS. I explained that this action figure represents how we viewed him as our chess hero. He is a leader, tough, intelligent and has a good heart.

Hopefully, before the year ends, BW- GETS can have one last get together to celebrate X'mas.