Beyond the 13th Move: The Story of Eugene Torre

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Eugene Torre  is one of the few great Filipino sports heroes whose excellence and prominence in chess span more than four decades, and counting. I can think of two others who  fit the description for such longevity; Paeng  Nepumoceno in bowling and  the big J, Jaworski in basketball. Paeng’s career likewise span more than four decades and until now is still a force to reckon with. Jawo’s eminence in basketball span the period of my childhood, teenage years and adulthood. They all started in my growing up years and until now, they’re still there. They are all my all time local sports heroes.

Beyond the 13th move is a biography of Torre. I bought this book in the 70’s and was one of my treasured collection until Ondoy struck a few years ago.  I wish it could be re-published.

Eugene Torre was born in Iloilo city, my “happy place”. For decades, he was the toast of Philippine chess.  Beyond the 13th move was a memorable piece of history. Flashback: 1972 Chess Olympiad, Nice, France. Torre, then 22 but already the Philippines top player, played for the top Board (board 1) of the Philippine team. Ever since its inception and until now, each country normally fields its strongest player in Board . So Torre, was up against the world’s best of the best. On this fateful game ( my memory now fails me who he was up against except that he was also a top grandmaster), Torre needed only to draw the game and be crowned a full grandmaster. On that game, after some quick openings, Torre played safe and offered a draw. It was a long agonizing moment as he waited for his opponent to accept his offer. Then that moment came. His opponent formally welcomed Eugene to the elite grandmaster club by accepting the draw. History unfolded. Torre became the first Asian and the first Filipino to become a chess grandmaster. In that tournament, Torre finished  strong, 9 wins and 10 draws, to win the bronze medal for Board 1. Anatoly Karpov, who would later become world champion won the gold. But to stay unbeaten in a very strong field was already an outstanding record. The Philippine team also placed a respectable 11th place finish, until now its 2nd highest finish.

Torre would later on play for a record 19 consecutive Olympiads. Then on his 20th stint, he tied Hungary’s top grandmaster Lajos Portisch for the distinction of the only players to have played for 20 Olympiads. Now in the ongoing 40th Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey, Torre broke this tie, and again made history by becoming the only player to have played in 21 Olympiads. In all of this, he played in Board 1 a record 17 times. In his entire career, his sterling record was in 1983 when he was ranked 17th in the world and played in the Candidates Matches for the 1984 world Championship, losing to Zoltan ribli,6-4 in a one on one encounter. No other Filipino has reached this pinnacle of success. Years before that, he made waves when he defeated then current world champion Anatoly Karpov in a tournament held in Manila in 1976. He was then credited for being the only player to have beaten Karpov while the Russian still reigned supreme as world champion.  Torre was also known as among the very few best friends, confidante, and second of that American chess genius, that recluse former world champion Bobby Fischer.

One of the finer moments described in the book was that in his era, whenever Torre wants to rest and relax, he would go home and find comfort and serenity in his land of his birth. Home is Iloilo ( La Paz) where he would enjoy its beaches. In some of these homecomings, he would drop by a landmark  place, a restaurant cum bookstore in Jalandoni  Street in front of the University of San Agustin. This place was also where local chess players meet and play. Torre would then play simultaneous games against anybody who would want to. It was in one of these fun simul games that my elder brod played him to a draw

Maria Sharapova's Tie-breaker

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It was a match everybody was expecting to end in the altar November this year. Instead, it was extended to a tie-break. Nobody knows now who gets the "Advantage", but definitely there will be no match point. I am referring to the Le Affaire Sharapova-Vujacic.

After winning her 3rd round match in the ongoing US Open, Maria Sharapova, women's tennis royalty, let the cat out of the bag. Her love affair with boyfriend Sasha Vujacic is over, finis. And they parted ways end of spring this year with no one, not even the nosy press knowing it. She herself was surprised that nobody asked her about it.

In happier days, they looked a perfect match. Both are good looking, both have the height, both have the physique and figure many would envy. Most of all, both are popular and famous. Sharapova need not further introduction. She's women's tennis top attraction; that I could say without fear of contradiction. She's my idol too. What she wears in her games in every tournament is being awaited. That's her fashion statement. How she plays either excites or makes your heart break.Vujacic on the other hand played was an NBA star, a member of the popular champion Lakers team of Kobe Bryant and co. for many years until he was traded to the New Jersey Nets last season. This year he disappeared in the NBA when he decided to play professional basketball in Turkey. Where then did they go wrong?

Sharapova herself admitted that their busy schedules was it. In short, their long distance love affair just would not click. Vujacic's Turkey assignment further added their estrangement. Since he arrived there this season, Maria revealed he has not gone home in 10 months. Absence indeed makes the heart grow fonder. Maybe they could find some rationalization knowing that this problem actually is common among sporting celebrities; especially if you're on the tour circuit where you go globetrotting the whole year round. Unless of course you are Mirka Federer, who retired in the sport and contented herself being the No.1 cheerer in every tournament of her beau of long years and husband later, Roger Federer.

The news spotlight of course will be on Sharapova. Already, the headlines are screaming: SHARAPOVA IS SINGLE ONCE AGAIN. Yahoo News put it nicely. " FINE TUNE YOUR BACKHAND, GENTLEMEN. MARIA SHARAPOVA IS BACK IN THE MARKET'.

Ouĭ Kim; Good Riddance Andy: US Open 2012

Tennis Majors always bring excitement; always with a package of surprises, controversies, disappointments, theatrics, stories and performances that will become historical highlights. The ongoing US Open 2012 is no exception. First came the  disappointment that world’s No.2 Rafa Nadal is out with injury. To me, the absence of one major character takes out some luster of the tournament. On the other hand,  a great promise loomed as the “greatest who has returned", Roger Federer, further takes another great step in cementing this crown. Or will it be Andy Murray’s time to finally bag his elusive major crown following his Olympic victory? On the distaff side, Serena looks supreme and has resumed her winning ways and habit of collecting records. Only Sharapova I think could stand in her way but only if, my Maria would be consistent  in her top fighting form.

 But the greatest drama that unfolded  was provided by two past champions announcing their retirement. Like previous tennis greats, the US Open, being the last in the calendar of the majors, is always reserved for retirement ceremonies.

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Yesterday, after losing her 2nd round match against upcoming British teen Laura Robson in a close 2- set heartbreaker decided by tie breakers, Kim Clijsters finally called it quits. Age, motherhood, and all, the 29 year old Belgian finally bid adieu the 2nd time around  to the sport she loved most. The first time she called bye bye in 2007 to give birth to her child, she came back in 2009 and won that year’s US Open. That was a spectacular win, surprising everyone considering that she had only few tune up games prior to the tourney. She even defended it the next year. This time though, it will be a final goodbye.

Kim was on top of women’s tennis in the last decade along with fellow Belgian Justine Henin, the Williams sisters, and Maria Sharapova. Her matches against these great rivals were always worth my time. She was a 4- time grand slam champion. Early on in her tennis fame, her popularity somehow rose with her publicized love affair with the then equally popular and top men’s tennis player, Australian Leyton Hewitt. The press called her  Aussie Kim, a tag she perhaps also loved, especially when sitting and cheering in Hewitt's box.  But she married someone else and later proved to all that motherhood is not a hindrance to becoming a champion. She was the first mother to become a grand slam champion since 1980. We will surely miss her. I will miss her competitiveness, her grit, and fighting heart. Her most enduring image to me were her  “splits” when retrieving deep baselines shots as no one else in the tennis circuit can do.

 Merci Kim. And good luck to your next journey.

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Andy Roddick came next in announcing he is done for good in tennis. He too was once my idol. Fast, furious, he with that power and booming serves.  He was on the rise in the early 2000, winning his first and only grand slam tournament, the US Open in 2003. That year, he was also rated world No. 1. It was bright note to American tennis. It came at a time when  Pete Sampras and in a way, Andrei Agassi were already closing on in their careers. Roddick therefore became their heir to carry the hopes of American tennis. Sadly, he came short of that billing. He stayed among the top 5 and for years lingered on that spot. Unfortunately for him, another greater Swiss maestro named Roger Federer was on the rise and set to dominate the field. They fought in the 2006 US Open finals just as Federer was starting to collect US Open titles. Thrice, they played in the Wimbledon finals. All these times, Federer simply outclassed him. Their last meeting in 2009 Wimby was a classic 5- set marathon thriller. Roger won, 16-14. In this time too, 2 other outstanding players came, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.  Andy drifted and stayed in the top 10 and soon after, outside of that exclusive club. He could hardly advance  even to the quarters. He realized it was time to go. There was no other way as he said he did not want to be a mere passenger in this journey. So now, he is saying goodbye to tennis with no apparent heir to carry the torch of American men's tennis.

God job Andy. Now you can finally take off that trademark hat to your loyal and favorite Flushing Meadow crowd. Take a bow!

Lance Armstrong's War

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This is the title of the book which Wizheart gifted me last January with a simple dedication- “…to add to your collection of biographies of great sportsmen…”. As the author put it, this book is the extraordinary story of “ one man’s battle against fate, fame, love, death, doping  scandal, and a few other rivals on the road to the Tour de France.” He was stricken with cancer but fought and overcome it to win an unprecedented  record of 7 Tour de France titles. He seemed to win all these battles, except for one…. the doping accusation.

Lance Armstrong indeed is one of my sporting heroes in a sport considered among the most gruelling test of human endurance and skill, cycling. When we were young, we used to get excited during summers when the then annual Tour of the Philippines unfold and passed by our town.  I grew up idolizing  local heroes like  Abaquita, Moring, Reynante, etc. During fiestas, cycling also was one of the most awaited activities of the celebration. As I grew older therefore, this fascination with cycling continued. That’s how I came to know such cycling greats like Eddy Merckx, Greg Lemond and these past 10 years, Lance Armstrong and his closest rivals, Jan Ullrich, Tyler Hamilton, Ivan Basso, and Miguel Orendain.

 We came to know the exploits of these great cyclists through the news we read. But the book revealed to me the hardships, trials, challenges, the preparation prior to the tours, the do’s and don’ts, the technology in making bicycles, the  inner workings etc. which made me conclude that this is one hell of a sport. That’s why, with all those achievements, I looked up to Lance Armstrong.

But today’s papers reported a disturbing news. Lance was found guilty of the doping charges by the US Anti Doping Agency (USADA) and he will be banned from the sport for life ( which may have no effect at all as he has finally retired). Worst however, he will be stripped of his record 7 Tour de France titles and other titles and awards.  USADA said, Lance Armstrong was a dope cheat; that he used performance enhancing drugs from 1999-2005.

This accusation has actually been lingering for years now. Ever since, Lance denied all these accusations describing them as nonsense. He naturally has been blocking all the moves by the doping agency. Until now. Tired perhaps of fighting for his innocence saying it has taken great toll on his family, he surrendered. “Finished with this nonsense” he said. Now, the only thing left perhaps is the action of the International Cycling Union, the sports governing body.

Lance Armstrong- is he a sports hero or a dope cheat? Honestly, until this saga comes to a  final, unassailable conclusion, he still is my hero.

Spirit of London 2012

Source: Google Images

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The 30^th Olympiad in modern times has opened and what a show, as always. Watched by 4 billion people worldwide and attended by royalties, government leaders, celebrities, among others, it leaves no doubt to its billing as the greatest show on earth. The headlines say it all. Fantastic.

Coming home after the kids watched the blockbuster movie, Batman, The Dark Knight Rises, we caught the replay of the opening ceremonies last night as the athletes started the grand  ceremonial  parade by nations. We were excited to see the entrance of our Philippine delegation as the kids were having their countdown guessing the next in line by alphabetical sequence. It was also a lesson in geography for them and us actually, hearing for the first time many unknown countries and wondering where they are located in the globe. When the “ Saints” came marching by, they asked, why there were so many countries named after unknown saints.

The athletes “fashion wear”, i.e. uniform was another exciting part to watched. We laughed at the seemingly over and undressed,  admired the simplicity and design of others. Today, we learned that it was indeed a “catwalk show”, with the uniforms designed by such fashion biggest names, Armani, Ralph Lauren, Prada, Ferragamo, Stella McCartney, Hermes. Our national uniform was designed by a local big name, Rajo Laurel. I could only laughed that while I liked the navy blazers and navy berets uniform of the US delegation designed by Ralph Lauren, it is getting bad press because it was made in China. Ha ha.

But our greatest excitement was on the sight of popular sports stars, most especially, those who carried their national flags. It started with,  Marcus Baghdatis, the tennis star  from Cyprus, then NBA Memphis Grizzlies center Haddadi of Iran and world’s fastest sprinter Usain Bolt of Jamaica. It reached crescendo when our idol, tennis darling Maria Sharapova led the Russian delegation in a pant and suit design made by a Russian sportswear Bosco. The thrill hasn’t yet  subsided  when we sighted  a jubilant tennis superstar Novak Djokovic carryring the colors of his native land, Serbia. Then came the towering clean shaven NBA and Laker star Pau Gasol leading the very familiar glaring red and gold Spain delegation. At this moment, we almost expected and hoped the Swiss team will be led by tennis greatest, Roger Federer. Alas, roger was not there. This morning we knew why. He already has his 1^st round going against a low rated opponent from Colombia. Now, we wondered. Who’s gonna carry the blue and red stripe American flag? Could it be Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, or Michael Phelps? It was none of the above; a lady fencer did the honors for the US team.

It was already midnight. The climax is yet to come;  the lighting of the Olympic torch and the best kept secret of the whole event: who will be given the honor of doing it? And finally, the “best of Britain”, Sir Paul McCartney ( who doesn’t know him and the Beatles”) closed the affair with his famous ballad, Hey Jude. Na na na na….na na na.

Now, the Games has begun. The events I'd like to watch: the showdown between Phelps and teammate Lochte in swimming, Bolt vs. Tyson Gay in sprints, USA vs. Spain in basketball, Federer vs. Djokovic, Saharapova vs. Serena Willliams in tennis, and the Chinese domination overall. But actually, if there is one event I am made to choose, it's athletics, track most especially.

The Dream Team and Other Almost Dream Teams

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This is of course about the U.S. basketball teams to the Olympics comprised of NBA professional stars and superstars. This practice of using NBA stars started in 1992 during the Barcelona Olympics. The world by then has caught up with them in basketball. Back then, a gathering of amateur collegiate stars was enough to win the basketball gold. But not anymore, they concluded. So since 20 years ago, they dominated once again Olympics basketball, thanks to their NBA superstars.

Now comes the debate on who is the greatest dream team ever. Kobe Bryant, the Laker superstar perhaps stirred the debate when he was reported saying this year's batch could beat the original dream team of 1992. He was in my opinion, of course just kidding and perhaps just psyching them up following the non inclusion of other stars due to injuries. Missing center Dwight Howard, guard Dwayne Wade, slam dunk king Blake Griffin, Chris Bosh, would indeed make one dreaming.

In my mind, there indeed was only one dream team and this is the original dream team of the Barcelona Olympics in 1992. All and future Hall of Famers, except maybe for one. So powerful the team was that they beat their opponents by an average of 40 or so points. So complete that the substitutes was made by 5, not 1, not 2, nor 3. So devastating that in the whole tournament, Coach Chuck Daly never called a time out. Yet, despite the lopsided scores, fans overflowed the basketball stadium, not to see or expect a competition, but to see showtime. Slam dunks everywhere, pinpoint no- look passing, booming "treys", powerful and graceful drives, total paint domination. Even the opponents, starstrucked as they were, went for posses and autographs.

How about this as starting 5. Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan at guard, Larry Bird and Karl Malone at forward, and Patrick Ewing at center. The 2nd five would consist of John Stockton and Clyde Drexler at guard, Charles Barkley and Scottie Pippen at forward, and David Robinson at center. All superstars in their own positions. Sweet shooting Chris Mullin and the only amateur inserted in the team, All American No.1 amateur player Christian Laettner completed the line-up. Who can beat that?

True, most were nearing the peak of their careers. But their stars were still brightly shining in the basketball court. There is one more quality to this team which made it truly a dream team. They won the hearts and imagination of the basketball world. It cemented the frenzy that globalized basketball, a phenomenon I believed started by my idol, Michael Jordan.

Infographic: What Manny Pacquiao Knows That You Probably Didn’t Know

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