Irene takes 2002 junior chess title

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Irene Kharisma from South Sumatra emerged on Tuesday as the champion of the girls' U-14 division at the Rp 6 million (US$600) Rider-Enerpac National Junior Chess tournament in Bekasi, West Java.

The nine-year-old Irene amassed a clear lead of 8 Match Points (MPs) from nine matches in the four-day tournament. Her closest contenders were Amalia Andra and Christine Elizabeth from Jakarta who finished second and third with 6 MPs each.

Irene's final stroke was when she defeated Tri Prisma of West Java in the ninth match.

Meanwhile, Sulung Wahyuningsih of Central Java grabbed the girls' U-18 title after defeating Desy Rahmawati to collect 7 MPs. Finishing second with a lower progressive score was Evi Lindiawati of Jakarta also with 7 MPs and third was Suharyani of West Java with 6 MPs.

In the boys' division, Aris Haryanto of West Java topped his competitors with 7.5 MPs after defeating Hastomo of Jakarta. Surya Wahyudi of Jakarta also won 7.5 MPs with a lower progressive score to finish second, while Ferry Ferdiansyah of Riau collected 6.5 MPs for third place.

Hadi Suprianto of East Java grabbed 7 MPs to take the U-18 title followed by Chairil Nardi of Aceh with 6.5 MPs. Ravi Octaviana was third with 6MPs.

The Indonesian Chess Association (Percasi) is recruiting talented players from the tournament for its long-term program called the Dream Team.