ILOILO CITY – The city government will honor Asia’s first Grandmaster Eugene Torre on his 75th birthday with two tournaments and the launch of a coffee table book celebrating his career starting Wednesday.
Torre will grace the National Open Chess Tournament and Inter-District Chess Championship, scheduled Nov. 4 to 8.
The celebration will also feature the launch of the coffee table book “Ilonggo Chess Legend” at the capitol’s Jubilee Hall, according to a city government report Monday.
Mayor Raisa Treñas said the city is promoting chess, particularly among children, by placing chess sets in public plazas and providing free training through the Iloilo City Public Library and the Iloilo City Sports Academy.
“One of the things that I expressed is that I want to have chess all over the plazas, which we are implementing now,” Treñas said.
She said chess helps develop strategic thinking and provides an opportunity for families to bond.
During the signing of the partnership agreement last month, Torre said chess teaches valuable lessons that children can apply in their daily lives.
