Eugenio Oliveros Torre, or Eugene Torre is known for being asia's first grand master, having achieved the status in Nice, France in 1974. Showcasing his achievements is the Eugene Torre Chess Museum inside Pan de Amerikana in Marikina, where guests can appreciate his story, achievements, and interact with a giant chess set.
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00:00My name is Eugenio Oliveros Torre, but I'm better known now as Eugene Torre.
00:29It was first in Asia at the time, in 1974, when I became a Grandmaster with the permission
00:46of the family.
00:47I campaigned in Europe for almost a year, so that I could eventually get the Grandmaster
00:55title.
00:57After one year in Europe, I still didn't get the Grandmaster title, even though I didn't
01:03get the Grandmaster title.
01:04But the experience I gained was very valuable.
01:11And then in 1974, Nice, France.
01:14I was playing on board one, and it's very tough, you know, when you are playing on board
01:20one, because you are playing against the top players of each country.
01:24I scored 9 wins and 10 draws out of 19 games.
01:29And finally, I got the Grandmaster title in that Olympiad.
01:34That was the first time an Asian became a Grandmaster.
01:43For almost 50 years, and all these trophies, only my wife and myself could see it at home.
01:53Of course, it's important to showcase it, especially to the kids, and hoping to inspire
02:02them.
02:04I encourage all people, whether to become, you know, to play in serious tournaments,
02:14or just for fun, I invite them all.
02:18First of all, I really believe that discipline can be promoted through sports, and chess
02:28in particular, especially in our mental side.