Indonesia draws with England

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian mens chess team yesterday managed to draw 2-2 with the English team in the fourth round of the 31th Chess Olympiad in Moscow.

This was exactly the result anticipated by the Indonesian Chess Association (Percasi) to face the strong English team, which is seeded fourth.

"We have instructed our players to try scoring a victory only if the likelihood is really great," said Djamil Djamal, Percasi's secretary general in Moscow. He added that he was pleased to learn that Indonesia was seeded 42nd.

Grand Master Utut Adianto, presently Indonesia's number one, tied with Grand Master Nigel Short at the 20th move with the Caro-Kahn opening.

However, Grand Master Eddy Handoko then fell to Grand Master Jonathan Speelman at the 44th move, before International Master Jonathan Situru made amends by beating Grand Master John Nunn at the 36th move.

In the deciding match, International Master Cerdas Barus drew with Grand Master Julian Hogdson at the 35th move, thus rendering a draw.

From the women's team, Indonesia had to play without International Master Lisa Lumondong, who had to return home due to the sudden death of her father on Sunday.

This forced Indonesia to field International Master Lindri Juni Widjajanti, who served as a reserve.

However, Indonesia yesterday beat Venezuella 2-1 after Upi Darmayana Tamin and Maria R. Lucia nailed victories over De Pool and Beanko respectively, though Lindry fell to Hernandes.

"Lindry's failure to strike victory was beyond our anticipation," said Djamil Djamal, "We thought we could beat Venezuella 3-0."

Today, Indonesian men's team will lock horns with Romania, while the women's team will play Polandia.

Previously, Indonesia's mens team beat Turkey 2.5-1.5 in the third round after falling 1-3 to Bulgaria in the second round and smashing Haiti 4-0 in the first round, which began on Dec. 1.

As for the women's team, Indonesia crushed Dominica 3-0 in the first round, drew with England 1.5-1.5 in the second round but lost to Bulgaria 1.5-2.5 in the third round. (arf)