Stefanova closer to title at Wismilak chess tournament<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Collecting another one-and-a-half points from the last two
\nrounds, Bulgarian women's Grand Master (GM) Antoaneta Stefanova
\nis almost certain to cruise to the victory at the Wismilak
\nInternational Chess Tournament.<\/p>\n
Stefanova, who has come to Surabaya following her success in
\nthe European Championship, has amassed an overall 7.5 points to
\nstay on the top of the provisional standings in the 12-strong
\ncompetition.<\/p>\n
The additional points came from her win over Cecep Kosasih in
\nthe ninth round on Sunday and a draw with close rival
\nInternational Master (IM) Cerdas Barus the day before.<\/p>\n
Cecep's defeat has added to the list of local victims at the
\nhands of the European champion.<\/p>\n
With Cerdas, who was included in the tournament as a late
\nreplacement for Andrean Susilodinata, being one-and-a-half points
\nbehind, Stefanova will need only another point from the remaining
\ntwo matches to snatch the title and a US$2,000 cash payout from
\nthe total $6,000 at stake.<\/p>\n
Even if she fails, Cerdas will have to win his owns two games
\nagainst fellow Indonesians Irwanto Sadikin in the tenth round and
\nGM Edhi Handoko in the 11th, to retrieve his hopes.<\/p>\n
Cerdas could only add a point from his last two games, drawing
\nwith Stefanova and IM Enrique Paciencia of the Philippines.<\/p>\n
Given the next pairings, it will not be an easy task for him,
\nparticularly in the tenth round matches. Irwanto may already be
\nout of contention for the title, but the Jakarta-based player has
\nhis own motivation in the tournament.<\/p>\n
Now that he has collected 5 points, he is only one point away
\nfrom taking his first IM norm.<\/p>\n
The Wismilak tournament is an eighth-rated category tournament
\nbased on the average of the participants' ratings. It means that
\na participant will have to collect at least 6 points to be
\nawarded an IM norm.<\/p>\n
\"I think Irwanto will try not to squander the chance. If he
\nwins over Cerdas, then the last match against Cecep (Kosasih)
\nwill be a formality,\" chess columnist Kristianus Liem told The
\nJakarta Post.<\/p>\n
Another player, who is practically out of contention for the
\ntitle but is nursing hope, albeit thin, for an IM norm, is
\nSusanto Megaranto, the only junior competing in the tournament.<\/p>\n
Susanto, 15, should be content with his collection of 4.5
\npoints, thanks to his rising run in the last two games which took
\nthe scalps of Edhi Handoko and FM Hamdani Rudin.<\/p>\n
However, Susanto will have to overcome his mentor IM Danny
\nJuswanto. \"He has to poach at least half a point from Danny,\"
\nKristianus said.<\/p>\n
IM Nay Oo Kyaw Tun of Myanmar will be his last opponent.<\/p>\n
Provisional standings after nine rounds (Indonesian unless
\notherwise stated): 1. GM Antoaneta Stefanova (Bulgaria) 7,5 pts;
\n2. IM Cerdas Barus 6 pts; 3. GM Zaw Win Lay (Myanmar) 5,5 pts; 4-
\n5. FM Irwanto Sadikin, IM Danny Juswanto 5 pts; 6-7. GM
\nArdiansyah, Susanto Megranto 4,5 pts; 8-9. GM Edhi Handoko, IM
\nEnrique Paciencia (Philippines) 4 pts; 10. FM Hamdani Rudin 3
\npts; 11-12. IM Nay Oo Lyaw Tun (Myanmar), Cecep Kosasih 2,5 pts.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/stefanova-closer-to-title-at-wismilak-chess-tournament-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}