Torre, Barbosa make PH Olympiad squad

GRANDMASTER Eugene Torre will be making a record 21st appearance in the Chess Olympiad, after all.

Still sharp at 60 years old, Torre got upgraded to an outright Olympiad slot after original No. 2 qualifier GM Julio Catalino Sadorra begged off due to his studies at the University of Texas, where he is taking up BS Applied Mathematics.

Torre, top qualifier GM Mark Paragua and No. 3 performer International Master Oliver Dimakiling will thus join seeded GM Wesley So in the biennial Olympiad slated on Aug. 27 to Sept. 10 in Istanbul, Turkey.

Completing the men’s team is GM Oliver Barbosa, who was tapped by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines headed by Prospero Pichay to complete the men’s team out to improve on its worst ever 50th place finish in 2010.

Woman International Master Catherine Perena will spearhead the distaff side.