Andrean's hopes of to three finish dashed

JAKARTA (JP): A defeat by Alexander Fier of Brazil cost Indonesian junior chess player Andrean Susilodinata his chance of finishing among the top three at the World Age Group Chess Championships in Oropesa Del Mar, Spain on Thursday.

Andrean resigned after 32 moves in the 10th and penultimate game developed on the Alekhine opening. Fier capitalized on Andrean's one false knight move midway into the game to win the match on better quality of pieces.

The eight-year-old Indonesian was desperately in need of two wins in his last two matches to make a podium finish in the Under-10 category.

But with 6.5 points already in hand, Andrean could still join the top 10.

The loss came just after Andrean scored a hat trick of wins, his second in the tournament after three victories in a row in the opening stages.

Indonesian team manager Kristianus Liem could not hide his disappointment with Andrean's failure to take a medal, but was philosophical and said that at least his player had learned a lot from his debut at the world meet.

"It must be understood that an eight-year-old boy is commonly unstable. Knowing that he is competing in a tournament beyond his age, I am quite satisfied with his performance," Kristianus said.

In the Under-12 competition, another Indonesian, Taufik Halay, beat Miklos Nemeth of Hungary on the 34th move to enter the top 10 with 6.5 points.

Taufik's teammate Susanto Megaranto only managed a draw with Rumanian Tiberiu Manescu on the 51st to join a pack of players who have collected 6 points for 20th place in the provisional standings. (lnt)