Kosteniuk match facing cancellation

Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Top billing chess games between world-class women's star Alexandra Kosteniuk and four Indonesian junior players could be canceled due to the Russian's recent demand for an appearance fee and a change in how the games are played.

Kosteniuk, 17 years old, was formerly scheduled to play Tirta Chandra, 15, Susanto Megaranto, 13, Taufik Halay, 14, and Andrean Susilodinata, 11, in a series of matches in Jakarta and Samarinda, East Kalimantan, starting Jan. 18.

It was reportedly agreed that the winner would take home US$1,000 and the loser pocket US$500 in cash bonuses.

But the Russian star apparently revalued her worth after she managed to reach the finals at the World Championship in Moscow last month.

"Apart from the prizes on offer, she now wants an appearance fee and has asked us to reconsider how the games are played," Eka Putra Wirya, the organizer, told The Jakarta Post.

Kosteniuk, who was beaten by eventual champion Zhu Chen of China, has also demanded that the games be played simultaneously so that she can take on her Indonesian opponents in one face-off.

Eka was still undecided on how to proceed with the matches, saying it had yet to be discussed.

Not only did he say that the organizers faced the prospect of high costs, but he also appeared less than enthusiastic about simultaneous games.

"Excluding the match fee she is demanding, we will already have to pay as much as US$10,000 for two tickets and bonuses to bring her here," said Eka, who is the executive director of the Indonesian Chess Association (Percasi).

"For the games to be played simultaneously may not be altogether good. People would probably diminish our achievement should our players succeed.

"I understand why she wants to play this way. She is now under the world's spotlight. A loss to juniors would embarrass her," he said.

Tirta, Susanto, Taufik and Andrean are four of the few gifted Indonesian chess players currently under tutelage at the Utut Adianto Chess School in Bekasi, west of Jakarta.

The four have represented Indonesia many times in overseas tournaments.

However, Eka said that Taufik -- should the Kosteniuk match proceed -- was likely to be dropped because of his poor showing at the recent ASEAN Championship in Kuala Lumpur.

Tirta maintained his standings by winning a title in the same tournament. Meanwhile, Susanto and Andrean finished in the top five at the 2001 Youth World Championship in Spain.