Irwanto, Susanto get IM norm as Stefanova wins chess tourney

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

As expected, the Wismilak International Chess Tournament title went to Grand Master (GM) Antoaneta Stefanova of Bulgaria, but the host side appeared to be pleased that Irwanto Sadikin and Susanto Megaranto managed to secure their first International Master (IM) norm.

Stefanova, the only woman competing in the US$6,000 tournament, led from the start to ease to victory with 9.5 of the possible 11 points in the final standings.

Her last two victims were GM Ardiansyah in the 10th round late on Sunday and FIDE Master (FM) Hamdani Rudin in the final round on Monday.

She was one-and-half points clear of runner-up IM Cerdas Barus, who finished on eight points. The collection earned Cerdas the third GM norm and he will be awarded a full GM title when his current rating of 2456 improves to 2500.

Irwanto and Susanto ended their competition with six points each for their first IM norm, which the Indonesian Chess Association (Percasi) enthusiastically described as a happy ending for the two.

"The tournament proved to be a nail-biting tussle for the players to the end," Eka Putra Wirya, Percasi's executive director, told The Jakarta Post.

"The players beat one another. I was anxious during the tournament but I'm relieved at last that Irwanto and Susanto took their norm," Eka said.

Kristianus Liem, a chess columnist, said that the two would have to fare at least as well as in the Wismilak event in one or two other international competitions, which incorporate at least 13 rounds.

"After 24 rounds in all, they will be awarded the full IM title," he said.

Irwanto, who beat Joseph Majella in a playoff for the Wismilak berth, bounced back from his defeat to Cerdas in the 10th round to beat Cecep Kosasih on the final day.

Susanto, 15, held his mentor Danny Juswanto before outplaying IM Nay Oo Kyaw Tun of Myanmar.

"It was a clean game," said Kristianus about the game between Susanto and Danny. He brushed aside speculation that Danny could have gone easy on Susanto.

"Danny fought it out and put Susanto under pressure. But Susanto was always able to counter Danny's threat precisely," Kristianus said.

The final standings at the Wismilak International Chess Tournament (Indonesian unless otherwise stated): 1. GM Antoaneta Stefanova (Bul) 9.5 pts; 2. IM Cerdas Barus 8 pts; 3-6. IM Danny Juswanto, GM Zaw Win Lay (Mya), FM Irwanto Sadikin, Susanto Megaranto 6 pts; 7-8. IM Enrique Paciencia (Phi), GM Edhi Handoko 5 pts; 9. GM Ardiansyah 4.5 pts; 10-11. Cecep Kosasih, FM Hamdani Rudin 3.5 pts; 12. IM Nay Oo Kyaw Tun (Mya) 3 pts.