Kosteniuk match facing cancellation<\/p>\n
Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Top billing chess games between world-class women's star
\nAlexandra Kosteniuk and four Indonesian junior players could be
\ncanceled due to the Russian's recent demand for an appearance fee
\nand a change in how the games are played.<\/p>\n
Kosteniuk, 17 years old, was formerly scheduled to play Tirta
\nChandra, 15, Susanto Megaranto, 13, Taufik Halay, 14, and Andrean
\nSusilodinata, 11, in a series of matches in Jakarta and
\nSamarinda, East Kalimantan, starting Jan. 18.<\/p>\n
It was reportedly agreed that the winner would take home
\nUS$1,000 and the loser pocket US$500 in cash bonuses.<\/p>\n
But the Russian star apparently revalued her worth after she
\nmanaged to reach the finals at the World Championship in Moscow
\nlast month.<\/p>\n
\"Apart from the prizes on offer, she now wants an appearance
\nfee and has asked us to reconsider how the games are played,\" Eka
\nPutra Wirya, the organizer, told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
Kosteniuk, who was beaten by eventual champion Zhu Chen of
\nChina, has also demanded that the games be played simultaneously
\nso that she can take on her Indonesian opponents in one face-off.<\/p>\n
Eka was still undecided on how to proceed with the matches,
\nsaying it had yet to be discussed.<\/p>\n
Not only did he say that the organizers faced the prospect of
\nhigh costs, but he also appeared less than enthusiastic about
\nsimultaneous games.<\/p>\n
\"Excluding the match fee she is demanding, we will already
\nhave to pay as much as US$10,000 for two tickets and bonuses to
\nbring her here,\" said Eka, who is the executive director of the
\nIndonesian Chess Association (Percasi).<\/p>\n
\"For the games to be played simultaneously may not be
\naltogether good. People would probably diminish our achievement
\nshould our players succeed.<\/p>\n
\"I understand why she wants to play this way. She is now under
\nthe world's spotlight. A loss to juniors would embarrass her,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Tirta, Susanto, Taufik and Andrean are four of the few gifted
\nIndonesian chess players currently under tutelage at the Utut
\nAdianto Chess School in Bekasi, west of Jakarta.<\/p>\n
The four have represented Indonesia many times in overseas
\ntournaments.<\/p>\n
However, Eka said that Taufik -- should the Kosteniuk match
\nproceed -- was likely to be dropped because of his poor showing
\nat the recent ASEAN Championship in Kuala Lumpur.<\/p>\n
Tirta maintained his standings by winning a title in the same
\ntournament. Meanwhile, Susanto and Andrean finished in the top
\nfive at the 2001 Youth World Championship in Spain.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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