GRANDMASTER Eugene Torre eyes back-to-back titles in the 9th Asian Seniors Chess Championship at the Tagaytay International Convention Center in Tagaytay City this weekend.
Torre swept the nine-round tournament in Auckland, New Zealand last year.
The top-seeded Torre, who will turn 67 on Sunday, is the top seed with an ELO of 2449 in the nine-round competition which offers P150,000 in cash prizes in the over-50 and over-65 categories.
"It will be a another big challenge for me, but I am ready to defend the title. I'll do my best as always," said Torre, who finished 2.5 points ahead of Ewen Green of New Zealand and compatriot Edmundo Legaspi in Auckland last year.
Four players from former Russian republic of Kazakhstan and three from Indonesia, and a handful of Filipino standouts are seeing action.
The players from Kazakhstan are Oleg Rinas, Kuanishbek Jumadullayev, Aitkazy Baimurzin and Timur Kazzymuv, while the Indonesians competing are Muhammad Novian Siregar, Syarif Mahmud and Hendry Jamal.
International Master Chito Garma is also seeing action along with Cesar Caturla, Rosendo Bandal, Casto Abundo, Efren Bagamasbad, Adrian Pacis, Stewart Manaog and Rolzon Roullo.
Helen Milligan of New Zealand guns for a fourth straight women's title, while among the top locals are Mila Emperado.
The champion in the tournament organized by the Tagaytay Chess Club under the National Chess Federation of the Philippines and the Asian Chess Federation will receive the International Master title and a Grandmaster norm.
Runners-up receive the Fide Master title.
A rapid chess championship is scheduled on Saturday, followed by the nine-round Swiss System tournament and a blitz championship on the last day.
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