Portisch achieved the feat between 1956 and 2000, while Torre has been to every Olympiad since 1970. On the other hand, when Torre makes his opening move, he will surpass the record of Paul Westerinen of Finland for most number of consecutive Olympiads played.

The 53-year-old Torre spearheads the Philippine team that leaves tonight for Turin, Italy, site of the three-week long Olympiad. The chess Olympiad is held every two years.

Torre first saw action in the Olympiad at the age of 17 in 1970 in Siegen, Germany, playing board two behind the now-retired International Master Rodolfo Tan Cardoso.

Two years later, Torre assumed the top board in the Skopje Olympiad, a position he held until two years ago in Mallorca, Spain.

In an Olympic career spanning nearly four decades, Torre has compiled a record of 85 wins, 104 draws and 34 losses.

His 137 points is fourth in the all-time list of most points scored behind Portisch, Miguel Najdorf of Argentina and Svetozar Gligoric of Yugoslavia.

Third on the list of most matches played – 223, Torre is just eight matches shy of equaling the record held by Portisch.

Torre credits his durability to physical fitness and his insatiable appetite for the game.

"I will keep on playing as long as I remain useful to the team," said Torre who has fought some of the biggest names in the Olympiad: Garry Kasparov, Anatoly Karpov, Viswanathan Anand of India and reigning world champion Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria to name a few.

After 34 years of playing the top board, Torre is taking a new assignment at board two in deference to current No. 1 Mark Paragua, the first and only Filipino GM who has breached the elite 2600 ELO barrier.

"It’s time for the new breed of players to take over. I’m confident Mark (Paragua) is up to the challenge," said Torre.

GM Joey Antonio, the most experienced member next to Torre, will play board three. He has not dropped a single match in the last two Olympiads.

Darwin Laylo, the reigning national champion, will be making his second straight Olympic stint, this time manning the fourth board.

FIDE Masters Oliver Dimakiling and Wesley So, the other survivors of the rigorous elimination matches, will make their Olympic debut at board five and six, respectively.

At 12, So will undoubtedly be one of the Olympiad’s youngest participants.

The youngest players ever to play in the Olympiad at 11 are Andrew Sherman and John Jarecki of Virgin Island in 1970 and 1980, respectively.

Sammy Estimo, former Olympian and now the men’s team captain, said the team, a mix of youth and experience, has got what it takes to crack the Top 20.

"The key to finishing well in the Olympiad is to finish strongly. It’s a long tournament. The fielding of players is critical to success," said Estimo who captained the last two Olympic teams.

In 2004, the Philippines toppled former Olympic champions Hungary and Serbia Montenegro (formerly Yugoslavia) in the last two rounds to barge into the Magic 20.

The women’s team, handled by ex-Olympian Cesar Caturla, is made up of Woman International Master Sheerie Joy Lomibao and Beverly Mendoza, WNMs Catherine Perna and Sherily Cua.

The delegation, headed by NCFP President Prospero Pichay Jr., will make a courtesy call to President Macapagal Arroyo today at 11 a.m. at Malacañang before departing at 7:30 p.m.