GM Eugenio "Eugene" Torre

First Asian Chess Grandmaster

The Filipino chess legend was focused on thinking about his next move.

Here’s what you need to know about GM Torre’s life:

• 1951 - Born in Iloilo, Philippines
• 1974 - He became the first Asian chess grandmaster at 22 years old by winning the silver medal in the 21st Chess Olympiad in Nice, France.
• 1976 - He was the only one to beat GM Anatoly Karpov the then-reigning World Champion. It has been a part of Filipino Chess History.
• 1983 - Reached his peak chess rating of 2580
• 1988 - He was the captain of the Philippine team to its best ever 7th-place finish in the Chess Olympiad that was held in Thessaloniki, Greece.
• 1992 - Served as GM Bobby Fischer’s second in the match against GM Boris Spassky in Yugoslavia.
• 2020 - joined the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines, which is the first professional chess league in the country, as the top pick in its inaugural draft.
• 2021 - He was inducted into the World Chess Hall of Fame. He was the first Male Asian chess player to be given such honor.
• Present - he’s mentoring new talents by serving as the head coach of the men’s category of team Philippines.

"The key to success, whether you’re in the field of sports or not, is to take everything you do to heart"

- GM Eugene Torre

If you find a moment, consider delving into the remarkable life of this individual by exploring their Wikipedia page.