Chess tourney to break world record

JAKARTA (JP): The Bhakti Olahraga Indonesia Foundation (YBOI) plans to break a world record by organizing the largest number of participants to play in a chess tournament, scheduled to be held on Aug. 17 to commemorate Indonesian Independence Day.

"We expect at least 1,000 players to participate in the tournament in our effort to break the record," foundation chairman Singgih Yehezkiel was quoted as saying by Antara news agency on Tuesday.

"We have contacted Jaya Suprana from the Indonesian Record Museum (MURI) to witness the event. We may also contact the Guinness Book of Records."

Singgih said the foundation had contacted Indonesia's leading chess players, such as Grand Master (GM) Utut Adianto and GM Ardiansyah, to participate in the event, which will offer Rp 20 million (US$1,713) in prize money.

Registration will open in July. (nvn)