This Free Museum in Marikina Puts the Spotlight on the First Filipino Chess Grandmaster

(SPOT.ph) Chess has recently increased in popularity following the hit Netflix series The Queen's Gambit starring Anya Taylor-Joy as chess prodigy Beth Harmon. But if you're looking for inspiration to crack the code and get a 10-move checkmate against your opponent, you need not search far. In case you want to learn all about chess, its history, and its best players, you may want to drop by the newly opened Eugene Torre Chess Museum in Marikina. Tour this quaint local museum for free and learn all about the Philippines' and Asia's first chess grandmaster, see rare chess memorabilia and collectibles, and take lots of photos at the museum's Instagram-friendly garden and interiors.

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Here's a look at the brand-new Eugene Torre Chess Museum in Marikina:

Located at the Pan de Amerikana Bakery and Restaurant in Concepcion Dos, Marikina, the Eugene Torre Chess Museum is a free display of all things chess. It is open for public viewing from Tuesday to Sunday, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. On display are various chess sets and chess pieces collected from all over the world and from different time periods. 

But aside from that,  the museum is also home to newspaper clippings, photos, awards, and accolades collected by Philippine Chess Grandmaster Eugene Torre throughout his 50-year career. ICYDK, aside from gracing the pages of our Social Studies and HEKASI books, Eugene Torre is one of several Filipino chess grandmasters. He's also the first Filipino and Asian Male Chess Grandmaster and was recently inducted into the World Chess Hall of Fame in 2021.

Should the museum tour get too tiring, you can always grab a snack and some refreshments at the Pan de Amerikana Bakery and Restaurant, which is one of our picks for brunch places to try in Marikina.

Eugene Torre Chess Museum is at Pan de Amerikana Bakery and Restaurant,
General Ordonez corner Maroon Street Concepcion Dos, Marikina. It is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, visit the Eugene Torre Chess Museum's Facebook page.

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