Indonesian men, women collect wins at Chess Olympics
Indonesian men, women collect wins at Chess Olympics
JAKARTA (JP): Powered by its two best chess players, Indonesia
managed to regain its composure and beat its opponents in the
men's event and also scored another victory in the women's event
in the 34th Chess Olympics in Istanbul.
In the men's event, Indonesia beat Turkey A team 4-0 while the
women beat El Salvador 3-0. The result was an improvement to
Saturday's losses in both events.
Grand Master (GM) Utut Adianto beat Adnan Sendur, Turkey's
national champion, using the Hindu Bogo defense.
The critical point was reached at the 22nd movement when Utut
replaced his white rook with a knight. This caused Utut to lose
his quality but at the same time acquired a better position.
Eight moves later, at the 30th movement Sendur shook Utut's
hand saying he resigned.
In the second table, GM Ruben Gunawan played bravely with the
Trompopsky opening and smacked Emre Karadeniz' defense who
surrendered at the 43rd movement.
Meanwhile, GM Edi Handoko beat Selim Gurcau with Italian
defense at the 38th movement in the third board.
The fourth player, International Master (MI) Danny Juswanto
crushed Umut Atakisi in a bloody match. The violent match left
only a knight for each player and three pawns for Denny and two
for Atakisi.
Danny promoted his free pawn giving more trouble for Atakisi
to defend. Having just seconds left, Atakisi's king bowed to
Danny's at the 54th movement after a five-hour match.
"The victory was only natural because both Utut and Edi are
our strength. It was a blunder by not having them at the tables
on Saturday," team manager Jeffrie Geovannie told The Jakarta
Post in a fax transmission.
"We won't change the winning team," he added.
Japan beat Indonesia 2.5-1.5 on the Saturday's match when Utut
and Edi were benched.
With Sunday's win, Indonesia collected 5.5 VPs. On Monday,
Indonesia faced Mexico which has the same points.
In the women's event, Upi D. Tamim beat Sonia Zepeda at the
42nd movement of the Sicily defense.
Meanwhile, Ai Zakiah dethroned Tahnya Pastor's king at the
60th movement of an exhausting match that ended at 8 p.m. local
time.
Earlier, Evie Lindiawati patiently trapped Nayda Avanos' king
when a rook checked Avanos' king with the help of her king three
squares below. Not to mention her promotion-ready pawn.
With the Sunday victory, the women have achieved 3.5 VPs.
Indonesia faced Slovakia on Monday. (nvn)