Andrean, Son Nguyen ready for head-to-head battle

JAKARTA (JP): It will be no clash of the titans this weekend, however, two junior chess players with world-class achievements will be involved in an intense battle on the chess board.

Indonesian Andrean Susilodinata, who finished seventh at the 2000 junior world championships in Spain, will challenge the under-12 world champion from Vietnam, Son Nguyen Ngoc Truong, in a duel dubbed as the first ever of its type held in Indonesia -- and probably the world.

The children spoke at a media briefing at Sari Pan Pacific hotel here on Friday, telling the journalists that they were ready to contest each other in their first-ever encounter. The meet will run from Saturday to Thursday in the hotel on Jl. M.H. Thamrin, Central Jakarta, starting at 2 p.m..

Andrean and Son Nguyen will begin with two rapid chess matches followed by four normal sessions.

The 11-year-old Son Nguyen remained modest about his chances of success.

"I don't know Andrean's game because we have never met before. So I will just learn some lessons from him," he said through an interpreter, Le Van Quy.

"I just hope that I can win this duel meet."

Le, who is first secretary for the Vietnam Embassy here, said that Son Nguyen, born on Feb. 23, 1990, learnt how to play chess at the age of four.

Andrean, also 11-years old, was more reserved at the press conference. The only remark he produced to preface the duel was that he would do his best.

Both children come from different backgrounds. Son Nguyen's parents are teachers, currently working in the southern Vietnamese province of Kien Giang.

Andrean, born on March 2, 1990, is the son of a physician and currently lives in Bumi Serpong Damai, Tangerang.

"I started playing chess at the age of six," he said.

Andrean's instructor, Indonesia's senior Grand Master Utut Adianto, predicted a tight game ahead.

"Whoever wins the meet will not do so easily. But I think Andrean can win the meet by scoring 2.5 points (from two wins and a draw)," he said.

The player who earns the maximum points from the normal chess matches will automatically be declared the winner, regardless of the rapid chess' results. If both players tie, the result of the rapid chess will be taken into account.

"And if both players are still tied, we will apply another measure to determine the winner," International Referee Djamil Djamal said without elaborating on the specific method that would be adopted. (nvn)