The Director of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Board, Engr. Rey C. Urbiztondo made the revelation on Thursday. According to Urbiztondo, the "living legend" will play simultaneous exhibition chess matches at Ozamis City on July 8 with a limited group of students and Misamis Occidental citizens in honor of the 75th anniversary of Ozamis' charter, which is sponsored by Misamis Occidental Province's governor, lawyer Henry S. Oaminal, Sr. Outstanding student players and top woodpushers from Ozamis City will be on display at the novel chess event.
Since his initial visit in 2005, Torre has twice scheduled concurrent exhibition games against chosen Misamis Occidental students and locals.
"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 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines’ team owner of Mindanao’s Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates and the Philippine Chess League's team owner of Mindanao’s Surigao Diamond Knights.
"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," Misamis Occidental provincial governor Atty. Henry S. Oaminal Sr. said.
Remember that the 71-year-old Torre was the first Asian man and the first Filipino to get this award when he was admitted into the World Chess Hall of Fame of the World Chess Federation (FIDE) last year?
According to Urbiztondo, an Honorary National Master, in addition to the unusual simultaneous chess demonstrations, there will also be a 2-day (July 8 and 9, 2023) chess competition called the Asenso Misamis Occidental National Open Chess Competition.
The winner of the open category will walk away with the most of the P30,000 prize. The winners of the second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth places would get, respectively, P20,000, P15,000, P10,000, P5,000, and P2,000. The remaining top-10 finishers would each receive P1,000.
The top Misamis Occidental, high school, and elementary category winners will each get P2,000, P3,000, and P3,000, respectively. For the top senior (60 and above), top unrated, and top lady, there are special rewards of P1,000 apiece.
Supporting the event hosted by Mayor Henry F. Oaminal, Jr., City Mayor of Ozamiz City, Congressman Sancho Fernando F. Oaminal, and the newly created Misamis Occidental Federated Chess Association
The Tournament Arbiter is former NCFP board member lawyer Cliburn, Anthony Orbe.(Romeo Braceros Jr.)
Asia's First Grandmaster Eugene Torre (left) playing with National Master/online Arena Grandmaster Engr. Rey C. Urbiztondo in a rare simultaneous chess exhibition.
Misamis Occidental provincial governor Atty. Henry S. Oaminal Sr.
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