Alexandria leads in Jababeka chess tourney

Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

WGM Nana Alexandria of Georgia pulled clear to be on top after five rounds of the 11-round Jababeka Women's International Chess Tournament here on Sunday.

Top seed Alexandria, the only grand master among 12 in the US$7,000 event, topped the standings with 4.5 points. She drew with WFM Irene Kharisma in the fourth round before defeating Stefani Dian Cheri in the fifth round on Sunday.

Half a point behind were WIM Upi D. Tamin of Indonesia, WIM Jana Krivec of Slovenia and WIM Angela Khegai of Uzbekistan.

Local hope Irene, who surprisingly held Alexandra early on the day, was sent crashing later at the hands of Khegai.

"Irene had to pay for her boldness," chess columnist Kristianus Liem told The Jakarta Post.

Against Khegai, according to Kristianus, Irene squandered a two-pawn advantage to fall to an ignominious loss in 67 moves.

It was a cruel reversal by the 14-year-old from her fourth round game in which she put in an impressive performance in holding Alexandra, former two-time finalist of the women's world championships, to a draw in 46 moves.

Irene, who attained her Women's FIDE Master title last year, has been tipped to develop further during the challenge to become the country's first women's grand master, as she is being promoted by the Indonesian Chess Association (Percasi).

Half a point from a possible two on Sunday left Irene with 3.5 points with six more games to be played until Oct. 27.

Evi Lindiawati followed with 3 points thanks to her win over Roslina Marmono of Malaysia in the fifth round. Evi drew with fellow Indonesian WIM Lisa Lumongdong in the fourth round.

Lisa, who followed up with another draw with Upi in a short 10 move game, tied with Stefani on 2.5 points.

After playing two rounds on Sunday, the participants will take one game -- in the sixth round -- on Monday.