Andrean replaced by Cerdas

Andrean replaced by Cerdas

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Overdependence on his mother cost an up-and-coming national chess
star, Andrean Susilodinata, 12, his place at the Wismilak
International Grandmaster chess tournament.

The tournament, which puts US$6,000 up for grabs, will run in
Surabaya, East Java, from July 22 to July 29.

However, with only four days before the start, the organizing
committee announced on Friday a change in the 12-strong
contending list with the removal of Andrean.

"We included him in the tournament to get him used to stiff
competition as early as possible. We were also keen to see him
become independent. That's why we wanted him to go without his
mother accompanying him," Eka Putra Wirya, the committee
chairman, told The Jakarta Post.

"The mother may go to Surabaya. What we wanted was that she
not sleep with the child. It seems that Andrean does not want to
be by himself and has chosen not to play," Eka said.

Andrean is considered to be one of the few in Indonesia to
possess extraordinary talent in chess. Being a future national
star, Andrean has competed not only against his fellow juniors
but also seniors under the endorsement of the Indonesia Chess
Association (Percasi), such as in the case of Wismilak.

However, his lack of independence seems to be interfering with
Percasi's efforts to push him further into becoming a mature
player.

"I warned him three times a year ago. He can't remain a
spoiled child," Eka said.

Andrean would have been one of the two juniors at the
tournament along with Susanto Megaranto, 15.

His place was taken over by senior player Cerdas Barus, who
beat Salor Sitanggang in a one-day two-game playoff at the Japfa
Chess Club on Thursday.

Meanwhile, women's player Antoaneta Stefanova, one of the four
foreign contenders, was confirmed to have attained the men's
grandmaster title.

Her title was announced by the International Chess Federation
(FIDE) during its board meeting in Doha, Qatar, early this month.
However, a letter of notification was received by Percasi only
recently, said official Hendry Djamal.