Indonesian men and women win in Chess Olympiad

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia men and women chess players managed to earn victories in the 13th round of the 34th Chess Olympiad in Istanbul Friday.

In Indonesia's men's team defeat of Faroe Islands 3.5-1.5 Victory Points (VPs), the only surprise was that only Grand Master Utut Adianto failed to produce a winning point.

Utut, whose elo rating is 2571, had to offer a draw to John Arni Nilssen, with elo rating 2346, after a long and hard battle in the 79th move.

Grand Master Edhi Handoko, who played in the first board, managed to overcome a threat from International Master John Rodgaard before winning 1.0-0.0 in the 38th move.

Rudin Hamdani, whose elo rating is 2385, managed to contribute one more point after defeating Olavur Simonsen 1.0-0.0 also in the 38th move.

International Master Danny Juswanto concluded Indonesia's victory after eliminating Flovin Tor Naes in the 45th move.

Friday's victory helped Indonesia to improve its ranking from 59th to 46th place with a total 28.0 VPs.

Russia is still leading with 36.0 VPs followed by Germany in with 34.5 VPs and Hungary in third with 33.5 VPs.

The women's team also managed to score a 2.5-0.5 victory over Iceland.

Upi D Tamim produced the first victory after beating Harpa Ingolfsdottir 1.0-0.0 in the 29th move. Teammate Ai Zakiah also scored 1.0-0.0 over Aslaug Kristindottir in the 56th move.

Yenny Riayaningrum had to offer a tie to Aldis Larusdottir in the 55th move.

The result also helped the women's team to improve its position in the overall standing from 65th to 59th place with a total 18.5 VPs.

China still leads with 30.5 VPs followed by Georgia with 28.0 VPs and Russia with 27.0 VPs.

The final match will take place Sunday and will be followed with a closing ceremony. (yan)