Asia's First GM Eugene Torre 2nd in Russia chess

Final Standings:

2.5 points---GM Rafael Vaganian of Armenia (Elo 2437)

2.5 points---GM Eugenio "Eugene"Torre of the Philippines (Elo 2417)

2.5 points GM Sergey Makarichev of Russia (Elo 2520)

1.5 point GM Anatoli Vaisser of France (Elo 2417)

1.0 point GM Yuri Balashov of Russia (Elo 2382)

Asia's First GM Eugenio "Eugene" Torre of the Philippines opened 2026 with a bang as he finished second overall on Wednesday in the 21st International Chess Festival dubbed as Aeroflot Open the Legends Category Standard Tournament at the Carlton, a legendary 5-Star Hotel in Moscow, Russia.

Torre scored crucial draws in the last two rounds to wrap up his campaign with 2.5 points on one win and three draws, the same output of eventual champion GM Rafael Vaganian of Armenia (Elo 2437) and 3rd placer GM Sergey Makarichev of Russia (Elo 2520).

Torre got bye in the first round, drew Vaganian in the second round then defeated GM Anatoli Vaisser of France (Elo 2417) in the third round.

He split the points with the GM Yuri S Balashov of Russia (Elo 2382) in the fourth round and halved the point with Makarichev in the fifth and final round.

It was a glorious homecoming in Moscow.

Torre, a hall of famer returned to Moscow after 45 years (From 1981 to 2026).-Marlon Bernardino-

Photo credit to the Chess Federation of Russia.