By REY C. LACHICA
HANGZHOU, China – The Philippines may have produced the region’s first grandmaster in Eugene Torre, but sad to say, the country is no longer as powerful as it used to be.
Gone is the “fear factor” from other rival countries.
Serving as one of the officials of the chess team here, Torre has set a modest goal in the 19th Asian Games, saying they’re up against a very formidable opposition, not only from the host nation but also from India and even Vietnam.
“Average lang,” said Torre, whose meteoric rise as one of Asia’s sporting stars began when he obtained the Grandmaster title at the young age of 22.
“Ibig sabihin if we can better our rankings here that will be good, kasi this a tough level tournament,” said Torre before the team headed to this bustling city of 12 million people.
If they make it to Top 10 in all events they are entered, then that would be a big achievement for the team that will be bannered by Grandmasters Mark Paragua and Darwin Laylo for the men’s team and Janelle Mae Frayna in the distaff side.
Other members of the men’s team are International Masters are John Paul Gomez, Paulo Bersamina and Jan Emmanuel Garcia while Frayna will have a solid supporting cast in Bernadette Galas, Marie Antoinette San Diego and Jodiln Fronda.
Experts have said the women’s team may pull off some surprises owing to their honest-to-goodness preparations.
Heavily favored to win the men’s gold medal in the individual event is Chinese world champion Ding Ling after Indian sensation 17-year-old Dommanraju Gukesh and 18-year-old Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa decided to compete only in the team event.
Out to spoil Ding’s gold medal bid are Vietnamese Quabg Liem Lew and Uzbek Grandmaster Nodirbek Abdusattorov.
