Torre wins, shares lead in World Seniors Chess tourney

GRANDMASTER Eugene Torre beat Israeli Fide Master Boris Gutkin in the seventh round Wednesday to gain a share of the lead in the 27th World Senior Chess Championship 2017 (50+ and 65+ Open-men and women) in Acqui Terme, Italy.

The 66-years-old Torre, fresh from winning the 2017 Asian Senior Chess Championships last month in Auckland, New Zeland, forced Gutkin to resign after 62 moves of their Trompovsky encounter and up his tally to 5.5 points.

Asia’s first GM is now tied with defending champion and top seed GM Anatoly Vaisser of France, No.5 GM Yuri S Balashov of Russia, No. 6 GM Vladimir Okhotnik of France, No.7 GM Vlastimil Jansa of Czech Republic, No. 11 GM Davorin Komljenovic of Croatia, No.9 GM Lothar Vogt of Germany, No.22 IM Arkady Shevelev of Israel, No.28 Boris Malisov of Israel and No. 29 FM Christian Hess of Germany at the top of the 65 and over division.

According to Philippine executive chess champion Atty. Cliburn Anthony A. Orbe, who watched the game live at chessbomb.com, the third-seeded Torre (Elo 2465), had a rook and three pawns, including a passed pawn on d5, against the 72-year-old Gutkin’s rook and two pawns.

Torre is battling Shevelev in the 8th round at presstime.

Meanwhile, GM Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr., drew with No. 5 GM Eric Prie of France to create a three-way tie for third with 5.5 points in the 50-years-old category. It was the same output of Prie and No. 12 FM Krishan Jhunjhnuwala of the US, Antonio’s 8th round opponent

The 55-year-old Antonio forced a repetition of moves on Qe4 to eke out a draw in 27 moves of London System Opening using the disadvantageous black pieces.

Top seed GM Julio Granda Zuniga of Peru and No. 3 GM Zurab Sturua of Georgia won their respective matches to share the lead with 6.0 points apiece.

Zuniga (2650) defeated No. 13 IM Oliver Brendel of Germany in 61 moves of Gruenfeld defense while Sturua outlasted No. 10 IM Alexander Reprintsev of Ukraine in 75 moves of King’s Pawn Opening.