Andrean falls to sad end in Greece

Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Andrean Susilodinata took only half a point from a possible three in the last three rounds at the World Youth Chess Olympiad in Greece which ended on Sunday.

The 11-year-old Indonesian succumbed to Magnus Carlsen of Norway in the ninth round. He drew with Max Vachier-Lagrave of France before tumbling back in his game against Ian Nepomniachtchi of Russia in the final round on Sunday.

It was not readily known where Andrean, who competed in the under 12 category, was on the final standings, but given his overall 7.5 points he might have dropped far below.

Nepomniachtchi and Carlsen, who drew with David Howell on the day, were co-winners with 9 points each.

In the game against Nepomniachtchi, which could be viewed through www.fideonline.com, Andrean opted for his favorite Caro- Kann defense.

However, the Russian, who is the 2002 European champion in his age category, seemed to choose his owns lines and looked to hold an edge throughout. The game ended after 55 moves as Andrean could not prevent his opponent from promoting his pawn on the c- file.

It was a sad end for Andrean, who, before entering the final three rounds, appeared to have good prospects by staying in the top five of the standings.

"It is again about mental strength. He has yet to build solid confidence, which results in his choosing wrong moves in critical conditions," Kristianus Liem, a chess columnist, told The Jakarta Post here on Sunday.

Despite the flop in the final bids, Kristianus said that Andrean, who was the sole Indonesian competitor at the tournament, deserved his status as the world-class player in his age category given that he always played on the top board in the tournament.