Indonesia's Edhi Handoko secures Grandmaster title (2x23)

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Edhi Handoko (right in photo above) secured his long awaited Grand Master title after he drew world women's champion Xu Jun of China (left) in the last day of the Gunadharma international chess championship here yesterday.

Edhi, who was only half a point shy of the eight required to reach the highest level of the world chess, forced an stalemate in the 23rd move after the three hour of play held at Dai-Ichi hotel.

Using the Sicilian opening, Edhi held Xu with a queen, a pair of knights, a pair of rooks and a bishop against Xu's pairs of bishops and rooks and a knight. Xu could not avoid accepting the offer, seeing that she had nothing left to beat her stubborn, attack-minded opponent.

A throng of local fans and journalists, who had been waiting for the glorious moment, rushed into the new Grand Master to congratulate him.

While Edhi engaged in cheerful jubilation, Xu burst into tears for losing the game. She had collected seven points and a victory would have earned her the coveted title.

"At last, after 12 years my dream comes true," said the smiling Edhi after the nervy "battle of the sexes." He becomes the fourth Indonesian to take the title after Herman Suradiradja, Ardiansyah and Utut Adianto.

Edhi produced a double as he racked up eight points to top the standings at the tournament which fielded 13 men's and women's chess wizards. The 34-year-old new Grand Master bagged the winner's US$3,000 purse out of the $10,000 in cash prizes at stake.

"I'm poised to raise my elo rating to 2,600 required in professional competitions," said Edhi. He holds now 2,490 of elo rating.

Edhi deserved the Master International title for his commendable performance in the 1982 Chess Olympics in Switzerland. The native of Surakarta, Central Java triumphed in the national championship four times in 1978, 1978, 1984 and 1991. He has also wore the national colors in Olympic Chess seven times since 1980. (amd)