Favorite Evi Lindiawati stays in second place at junior chess meet
Favorite Evi Lindiawati stays in second place at junior chess meet
Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Evi Lindiawati, a member of the national team at the Turkey
2000 Chess Olympics, won just three points after four rounds of
the Rp 6 million (US$600) National Junior Chess Tournament now
underway in Bekasi, West Java.
After a perfect start on Saturday, winning two games on the
opening day, Evi, 17 years old from Jakarta, only managed a
mediocre performance in the 15-18 category in Sunday's matches,
which were overshadowed by tragic news.
Mahnan Kamaludin, chairman of the Indonesian Chess Association
(Percasi), was mourning the loss of his wife Aniswati Kamaludin,
who died from cancer. Present at the funeral at Tanah Kusir
Cemetery were Percasi's executive director, Eka Putra Wirya, and
Percasi's chief talent scout, Grand Master (GM) Utut Adianto.
Evi was held to a draw by Sulung Wahyuningsih of Central Java
in the third round and Suharyani of West Java in the fourth round
to stay in second place behind Sulung, who registered
three-and-a-half points. The runaway leader booked a win over
Fitria of Jakarta in the fourth round.
"The results from the first four games were beyond our
expectations. Evi has been inconsistent in her play. Sulung and
Suharyani are undoubtedly good players given their national
records, but, as a player with international experience, Evi
should have been able to overcome the two," Kristianus Liem, a
chess columnist, told The Jakarta Post.
In the 10-14 age category, Fitria of South Kalimantan and
Irene of South Sumatra were joint leaders with three-and-a-half
points each. The two drew in the fourth round.
Meanwhile, Ferry Ferdiansyah of Riau and Aris Haryanto of West
Java, who agreed to a draw in their match of the boys' 10-14
category on the day, shared top place on the provisional
standings, each also with three-and-a-half points.
Half a point behind them were seven players led by former
national player Hastomo.
Also at the top with equal points were Deddy A. Rafi of North
Sumatra and Ravi Octaviana of West Java in the boys' 15-18 field.
A. Fuadin of Central Kalimantan followed behind with three
points.