Andrean falls to sad end in Greece

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.