Grand masters on show in JAPFA chess event

JAKARTA (JP): Grand masters from Indonesia and six other countries will compete in the US$56,500 (Rp 417 million) JAPFA Classic International Chess Tournament 2000 in Bali, from April 21 to May 1.

Organizer Jeffrie Geovanie said on Monday that the tournament was included in the 16th category of events, or those which are reserved for grand masters with elo ratings between 2262 and 2696.

"This is the first time Indonesia has held such a tournament in the 16th category. We want to show the world that Indonesia can hold an international-caliber tournament and at the same time prove the country is safe," Jeffrie said.

Indonesia will be represented by Utut Adianto, who has an elo rating of 2584, and Ruben Gunawan (2510). The foreign participants are FIDE world champion Anatoly Karpov (Russia, 2696), Alexander Khalifman (Russia, 2656), Jan Tinman (the Netherlands, 2655), Judit Polgar (Hungary, 2658), Jaan Ehlvest (Estonia, 2622), Yasser Seirawan (U.S., 2647) and Mi Zaw Win Lay (Myanmar, 2633).

The winner will receive $20,000, with the rest of the prize money, in descending order, of $10,000, $7,500, $6,000, $4,000, $3,000, $2,500, $2,000, $1,500 and $1,000.

The tournament is sponsored by PT JAPFA Comfeed Indonesia, a local livestock feed company, in cooperation with the Indonesian Chess Association (Percasi) and Bali Jeff Chess Center.

Jeffrie said there would also be the International Open Tournament (May 3 to May 11) and the national team championship (May 13 to May 20).

The International Open Tournament will have 22 countries competing and the team championship will feature 12 chess clubs from around the country.

Syamsir Siregar of PT JAPFA Comfeed Indonesia said the company provided total cash of Rp 2.5 billion for the three tournaments.

"We wished to sponsor the tournament with the intention to promote chess to the people and at the same time promote our products."

Syamsir added that the company planned to open a chess school, to be called the JAPFA International Chess Institute, in Bali.

He said the school would recruit top chess teachers from Russia.

Jeffrie said he allocated a 3,200-square-meter plot of land for the construction of the school.

"The three floors will be equipped with all sophisticated facilities and classes. We hope that through this school, we could create more Indonesian grand masters," Jeffrie said.

Machnan Kamaluddin of Percasi said that the organization welcomed the initiative of the company to hold the tournament.

"Percasi welcomes the initiative of the company to hold the tournament but I urge other companies to follow what this company has done to develop an appreciation of chess among the public," Machnan said. (lnt)