Indonesia's Edhi Handoko
\nsecures Grandmaster title (2x23)<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Edhi Handoko (right in photo above)
\nsecured his long awaited Grand Master title after he drew world
\nwomen's champion Xu Jun of China (left) in the last day of the
\nGunadharma international chess championship here yesterday.<\/p>\n
Edhi, who was only half a point shy of the eight required to
\nreach the highest level of the world chess, forced an stalemate
\nin the 23rd move after the three hour of play held at Dai-Ichi
\nhotel.<\/p>\n
Using the Sicilian opening, Edhi held Xu with a queen, a pair
\nof knights, a pair of rooks and a bishop against Xu's pairs of
\nbishops and rooks and a knight. Xu could not avoid accepting the
\noffer, seeing that she had nothing left to beat her stubborn,
\nattack-minded opponent.<\/p>\n
A throng of local fans and journalists, who had been waiting
\nfor the glorious moment, rushed into the new Grand Master to
\ncongratulate him.<\/p>\n
While Edhi engaged in cheerful jubilation, Xu burst into tears
\nfor losing the game. She had collected seven points and a victory
\nwould have earned her the coveted title.<\/p>\n
\"At last, after 12 years my dream comes true,\" said the
\nsmiling Edhi after the nervy \"battle of the sexes.\" He becomes
\nthe fourth Indonesian to take the title after Herman Suradiradja,
\nArdiansyah and Utut Adianto.<\/p>\n
Edhi produced a double as he racked up eight points to top the
\nstandings at the tournament which fielded 13 men's and women's
\nchess wizards. The 34-year-old new Grand Master bagged the
\nwinner's US$3,000 purse out of the $10,000 in cash prizes at
\nstake.<\/p>\n
\"I'm poised to raise my elo rating to 2,600 required in
\nprofessional competitions,\" said Edhi. He holds now 2,490 of elo
\nrating.<\/p>\n
Edhi deserved the Master International title for his
\ncommendable performance in the 1982 Chess Olympics in
\nSwitzerland. The native of Surakarta, Central Java triumphed in
\nthe national championship four times in 1978, 1978, 1984 and
\n1991. He has also wore the national colors in Olympic Chess seven
\ntimes since 1980. (amd)<\/p>",
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