by Marlon Bernardino
WATCH the country's pride Asia's first grand master (GM) Eugene Torre, who inducted to the hall of fame, play simultaneous chess exhibitions in City Auditorium, Ozamis City, Misamis Occidental on July 8, 2023.

National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Board of Director Engr. Rey C. Urbiztondo bared on Thursday.
Urbiztondo said the "living legend" will be in Ozamis City on July 8 holds simultaneous exhibition chess matches with select students and residents of Misamis Occidental in celebration of the 75th Charter Anniversary of Ozamis supported by Gov. Atty. Henry S. Oaminal Sr., Misamis Occidental provincial governor.
The unique chess activity will showcase outstanding student-players and leading Ozamis City woodpushers.

This will be the second time that Torre will play simultaneous exhibition matches against select  students and residents of Misamis Occidental since his first visit in 2005.

“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.
It shall be recalled that last year, the 71-year-old Torre was inducted into the World Chess Hall of Fame of the World Chess Federation (FIDE) making him not only the first Filipino but the first man from Asia to be bestowed with the honor.
Aside from the rare simultaneous chess exhibitions, there will be also a 2-day (July 8 and 9, 2023) chess tournament dubbed as Asenso Misamis Occidental National Open Chess Tournament according to Urbiztondo, an Honorary National Master.
The Open category champion will run away with the lion’s share of P30,000.
Second, third, fourth , fifth and sixth placers will receive P20,000, P15,000, P10,000, P5,000 and P2,000, respectively. The rest of the top-10 finishers will settle for P1,000 apiece.
The elementary category champion, high school category champion and top Misamis Occidental will receive P2,000, P3,000 and P3,000, in order.
Special prizes are P1,000 each for the top senior (60 and above), top unrated and top lady.
Supporting the event hosted by Mayor Atty. Henry F. Oaminal, Jr., City Mayor of Ozamiz City are Congressman Sancho Fernando F. Oaminal, and the newly created Misamis Occidental Federated Chess Association.
Tournament Arbiter is former NCFP board of director Atty. Cliburn Anthony Orbe.-Marlon Bernardino-
Photo shows Asia's First Grandmaster Eugene Torre (left) playing with National Master/online Arena Grandmaster Engr. Rey C. Urbiztondo in a rare simultaneous chess exhibition.