Andrean's hopes of to three finish dashed

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)