Karpov due for visit, rematch with Torre

MANILA, Philippines - Russian Grandmaster and former world champion Anatoly Karpov will literally have his hands full when he visits the Philippines sometime between February and March next year.

The planned visit of the 65-year-old chess genius to the country was on top of the menu when Maxim Ananyin, the humanitarian attaché from Russia, sat down with Philippine Sports Commission chairman William “Butch” Ramirez yesterday morning.

It will be the third visit of Karpov to the country following the 1976 chess match with Filipino GM Eugene Torre and their counterparts from Yugoslavia, Ljubomir Ijubojevic, and the United States, Water Browne.

Karpov also figured in the 1978 World Chess Championship against Viktor Korchnoi in Baguio City.

Torre, Asia’s first GM, won the short series, beating Karpov, the world champion from 1975 until 1985, in a memorable match.

Karpov will have his chance to get back at Torre in a friendly match that is aimed at further promoting goodwill and camaraderie between the two countries and the sport as well.

Ramirez said the PSC will coordinate with the National Chess Federation of the Philippines regarding the visit.

Karpov, according to the PSC chairman, will be introduced to President Duterte before facing the 65-year-old Torre in a rematch of their first encounter 40 years ago.

Ananyin was surprised to find out that Sen. Koko Pimentel, the current Senate president, is a chess buff, being a top board player for the Ateneo chess team from 1977 to 1981.

Sen. Manny Pacquiao, an eight-division boxing champion and a certified chesser, was also being considered to face the former world champion.

“Mr. Karpov is not only a grandmaster in chess but also is a Russian senator. He is a member of the Russian Parliament,” he said in the meeting at the PSC chairman’s office.

Also present were the chairman’s executive assistant, Ronnel Abrenica, the PSC national training director Marc Velasco and Bettina Pou, secretary-general of the Philippine Gymnastics Association.

“We can invite Mr. Karpov not only as one of the most famous chess players in the world but also as a senator,” said Ananyin, who is open to Karpov playing chess with the Filipino senators.

Ananyin laughed at the idea for Pacquiao to give Karpov, the UNICEF Ambassador in Eastern Europe and member of the Public Chamber of Russia since 2005, some boxing lessons.

The Russian official reiterated his country’s support to Philippine sports, particularly athletes in gymnastics, fencing and shooting. To begin with, a Philippine gymnastics team is set to visit Russia in January.

“It will be a good experience for them to compete in Russia. They can see how our athletes train in Russia. It’s not for them to win anything but to gain experience and get acquainted,” said the Russian attaché.

“It’s a sharing of experience among our coaches and athletes. Then maybe our coaches can come here not as permanent coaches but to coach for weeks or a month. I’m just proposing,” he added.