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.