GRANDMASTER Eugene Torre and newly designated Women’s GM Janelle Mae Frayna will get cash incentives for their exceptional performances in the recent 42nd World Chess Olympiad in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez said the Philippine Sports Commission will give the 64-year-old Torre P100,000 for the bronze medal that he won on Board 3 in the men’s division.
On the other hand, Frayna will be given P50,000 for becoming the first Filipina to become a Grandmaster. She also obtained a men’s International Master title.
“The biennial Olympiad bronze is P100,000, while a Grandmaster title is something new but she (Frayna) will given P50,000,” said Ramirez.
President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to meet Torre and Frayna in Malacanang, along with Josephine Medina, who earned a bronze medal in women’s table tennis the 2016 Paralympics in Rio de Janerio, Brazil.
Torre scored 10 out of 11 points on nine victories and two draws while Frayna scored seven of 11 to reap honors for the country.
It was Torre’s fourth medal after he won a silver in the 1974 Nice Olympiad.
He also became Asia’s first ever GM, while having two bronzes in the 1980 Malta and 1986 Dubai Olympiads on top board.
Torre said it would have been a gold if the formula used was percentages and not performance rating.
Former teammate GM Wesley So, who is now representing the United States, took the gold, while Hungarian GM Zoltan Almasi got the silver.