Irene takes the lead with 6.5 MPs

Irene takes the lead with 6.5 MPs

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Irene Kharisma, who is representing South Sumatra, became the
only player with a clear lead on the third day of the finals of
the Rp 6 million (US$600) Rider-Enerpac National Junior Chess
tournament in Bekasi, West Java.

Competing in the girls' under-14 division, nine-year-old Irene
collected 6.5 Match Points (MPs) from seven matches, while her
nearest contender Stefani Diancery of West Java was 1.5 MPs
behind.

Irene beat Natasya Chaniago of Jakarta in the seventh match of
the tournament, which took place at Utut Adianto Chess School
(SCUA), spokesman of the Indonesian Chess Association (Percasi)
Kristians Liem, told The Jakarta Post in a written statement.

The competition began to heat up in the girls' U-18 division
when the 1999 national champion in the U-16 division, Sulung
Wahyuningsih of Central Java, unexpectedly fell victim to Wita
Rahayu of North Sumatra.

The defeat meant Sulung, who had led by one point before
Monday's matches, equaled Evie Lindiawati of Jakarta, who
defeated Yuliani of East Java on the day.

Both Sulung and Evie now have 5 MPs.

Things were also getting more interesting in the boys' U-14
division after national champion Ferry Ferdiansyah of Riau put
behind his overnight defeat to score two victories in the sixth
and seventh rounds.

Ferry now shares the lead with Aris Haryanto of West Java and
Surya Wahyudi of Jakarta, each with 5.5 MPs.

Meanwhile, Dedy Rafi of North Sumatra and Chairil Nardi of
Aceh also collected 5.5 MPs each to lead the boys' U-18 division.

Tuesday's session will play the final two rounds.