Andrean and Nguyen draw 1-1 in chess

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian junior chess player Andrean Susilodinata failed to escape from a time predicament in two rapid chess matches which resulted in a 1-1 draw with Vietnamese Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son in the opening of their six-day duel meet on Saturday.

During the first match, Nguyen, the U-12 world champion, only had 13 seconds left to decide his move compared to Andrean who still had 15 seconds to go, but the Indonesian junior player eventually agreed to Nguyen's offer to tie.

But in the following match, Andrean, the world no. 7 of the U- 12 age group, still could not force a victory though he had one minute 26 seconds compared to Nguyen who had to consider his move in the remaining 41 seconds.

Andrean was stunned when Nguyen suddenly improvised in the 20th move, sacrificing his white queen after taking Andrean's rook. The move amazed spectators at the Sari Pan Pacific hotel here.

Match commentator National Master (MN) Bing Sarjono and Andrean's instructor Utut Adianto said that Nguyen's move was 'too premature'.

"I'm sure Andrean didn't anticipate that move. Nguyen managed to escape Andrean's pressure with the sacrifice," Bing told reporters.

Utut, an Indonesian Grand Master, praised Nguyen as a very good practical chess player.

"Although Andrean dominated the matches, Nguyen managed to escape. Andrean has to be more cautious with his opponent."

Nguyen twice offered Andrean a tie in the second match but Andrean turned it down at first.

"I was waiting for him to make mistakes by rejecting the first tie offer," Andrean told reporters after the match.

International Referee Djamil Djamal said although Andrean had a better time slot, he could not set up a winning scheme on board.

"Even though Nguyen sacrificed the queen, Andrean could only move back and forth without making significant attacks.

"Nguyen is a good player. Realizing that he couldn't win, he played defensively to force a draw."

The meet will resume on Monday with four normal chess sessions until Thursday. There will be no match on Sunday.

"I want to travel around Jakarta. I want to see Taman Mini," said Nguyen. (nvn)