Chess body optimistic over televised duel

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Chess Association is optimistic that it will strike a deal with a private television station in two weeks to broadcast live a 50-minute exhibition duel between Indonesia's number one chess player Utut Adianto and Judith Polgar of Hungary, the first woman to earn the men's grandmaster title.

The association's executive director, Machnan Kamaludin, told The Jakarta Post yesterday he was negotiating with RCTI and ANteve, and that the two private television stations were very interested in airing the rare battle of the sexes.

"Of course, they still need some time for further deliberations before finally saying yes. We, too, still have to present more details to convince them that the event is worth airing," Kamaludin said.

Kamaludin said the association wanted the duel to be aired free of charge. The duel is to consist of four games of rapid chess over 25 minutes and two blindfolded matches, Polgar's favorite game, over 25 minutes.

But because chess is considered a lower-class sport in Indonesia and because it is hard to understand, it may be difficult to promote on TV, Kamaludin said.

"The plan is to air the event during prime time, from about 5 p.m. to 6 p.m on Dec. 10," he said.

He said the association would try to sell the package to companies which had previously sponsored chess tournaments including state-owned Bank BNI and Bank BRI.

"We will also hold a golf tournament on Dec. 8 to raise funds for the program," he said.

"To add zest, we will also feature some film of Polgar beating Britain's grandmaster Nigel Short," he said.

Judith Polgar is scheduled to arrive on Dec. 7 with her two sisters, women's world champion Zsu Zsa and women's world-number- six Sofia.

Kamaludin said Judith was entitled to an appearance fee of US$4,000 to $5,000 for the duel. If she wins she will get $10,000. She will get $6,000 if she loses.

Besides the televised duel, there will be matches between Sofia and Indonesia's Lisa Karlina Lumondong, Maria Lucia, Upi Darmayana Tamin and Lindri Wijayanti. The four Indonesian women were members of the national women's team at last month's Olympics of Chess in Yerevan, Armenia, in which they finished 10th. (arf)