Krivec takes Jababeka women's chess tourney, Irene finishes third
Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
WIM Jana Krivec of Slovenia came out on top over Georgian veteran WGM Nana Alexandria to win the Jababeka Women's International Chess Tournament on Thursday.
Krivec added half a point for a total tally of nine points after she drew with local young star WFM Irene Kharisma in 22 moves, the only game ending in a draw on the final day of the 11- round, US$7,000 tournament.
Krivec's record of two draws, one loss and eight wins tied her on nine points with Alexandria, but she triumphed thanks to her defeat of the Georgian in their meeting in the ninth round.
Alexandria, who won a 57-move game over bottom-ranked Malaysian Roslina Marmono on Thursday, was not disappointed at finishing runner-up.
"The tournament is interesting. I'm satisfied with my play," Alexandria, at 56 the oldest of the 12 contestants, told The Jakarta Post.
It was her fourth tournament in this country, having played in the last women's international tournament here in 1997, finishing third.
Irene was already assured of an International Master norm -- the first step toward full IM accreditation -- from her earlier record in the tournament, but she did not take risks against Krivec.
"I was ahead slightly in the middle of the game, but I just reshuffled my pieces to consolidate the position. I didn't see any chance of launching an attack with her also being content with her position," said Irene, who finished in third place on 7.5 points.
With participants in the fifth-category tournament holding an average elo rating of 2,148, the 14 year old's performance will add 45 points to her current rating of 2,092, said Sebastian Simanjuntak, the deputy secretary-general of the Indonesian Chess Association (Percasi).
Other local players with positive results included 2,219-rated Upi Darmayana Tamin and 2,091-rated Evi Lindiawati, who finished fourth and sixth respectively.
"Upi will add between five and 10 points to her rating. Evi will probably get 30," Sebastian said.
Upi and Evi played with black pieces on Thursday to beat Stefani Dian Cheri and Adelaida Zakharova of Russia respectively.
The results have boosted Percasi's confidence ahead of next month's Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.
"With this young batch...with their fighting spirit, I guess we may hopeful about winning gold at the SEA Games," Percasi's executive chairman Eka Putra Wirya said.
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Final standings 1. WIM Jana Krivec (Slo) 9 pts 2. WGM Nana Alexandria (Geo) 9 pts 3. WFM Irene Kharisma (Ina) 7.5 pts 4. WIM Upi Darmayana Tamin (Ina) 7 pts 5. WIM Angela Khegai (Uzb) 6.5 pts 6. Evi Lindiawati (Ina) 6.5 pts 7. WIM Lisa Lumongdong (Ina) 5.5 pts 8. Stefani Dian Cheri (Ina) 5 pts 9. Adelaida Zakharova (Rus) 3.5 pts 10. Sri Vidawati (Ina) 3 pts 11. Hui Dawn (Sin) 2.5 pts 12. Roslina Marmono (Mas) 1 pts.