Utut to start 2002 with Bukaner Open<\/p>\n
Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Grand Master (GM) Utut Adianto will open his 2002 campaign at the
\nBukaner Open in India next week as the Indonesian number one
\nchess master aims to bounce back from last year's dismal run of
\nform.<\/p>\n
Utut will be one of 12 foreign grand masters participating in
\nthe US$15,000 tournament, which will run from Feb. 19 to 28. One
\nof the foreigners is GM Eugene Torre of the Philippines, who Utut
\nknows well both professionally and away from the chess board.<\/p>\n
The local contenders will be spearheaded by GM Krishna
\nSashikiran, GM Dibyendu Barua and GM Harikrisna.<\/p>\n
Utut is hoping the Bukaner Open marks the beginning of a
\ncomeback after the disappointments of 2001, which included his
\nfailure to qualify for the recently concluded World Chess
\nChampionships in Russia.<\/p>\n
His current rating of 2587, a drop from his previous level of
\n2598, is further testament to his lackluster form.<\/p>\n
\"Take it back,\" Utut said briefly when asked about his hopes
\nfor the 2002 tournament here on Thursday.<\/p>\n
\"I once dropped to as low as 2570 in 2000. But I was not
\nworried, it is just natural that we experience highs and lows,\"
\nhe told The Jakarta Post when interviewed at the office of the
\nIndonesian Chess Association (Percasi).<\/p>\n
\"What's the significance of the ratings anyhow? Ruslan
\nPonomariov, who doesn't have a particularly high rating, was
\nstill able to become a world champion,\" he said, referring to the
\nnew FIDE champion from Ukraine.<\/p>\n
But these comments shouldn't be taken too seriously, as he
\nalso said that he was thrilled when he reached his highest ever
\nrating of over 2600.<\/p>\n
\"I got loads of tournament invitations from all over the
\nplace,\" he said, admitting that he was lucky to have been invited
\nto the next Bukaner Open, where his costs will be fully met.<\/p>\n
The next tournament Utut is scheduled to play is in the Czech
\nRepublic in March.<\/p>",
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