Local FM Hamdani outclasses GM Antonio at JAPFA Open

JAKARTA (JP): FIDE Master (FM) Hamdani Rudin of West Java managed a surprise defeat of Grand Master (GM) Rogelio Antonio of the Philippines in the fifth round of the JAPFA International Open chess tournament at the Grand Bali Beach Hotel in Sanur on Sunday.

Using the Sicilia defense, Hamdani took control of the game in the 22nd move after Antonio, whose elo rating is 2,551, made a technical error. Hamdani's 46th move was a decisive one, eventually forcing Antonio to concede the game in the 70th move.

With the result, Hamdani moved to the top of the standings of the tournament with 4.5 match points, along with eight other players, Indonesian Chess Association spokesman Kristianus Liem said in a press release.

Other players moving to the top of the standings were M. Eugene Torre (the Philippines, elo 2,557), who defeated Indonesian GM Edhi Handoko (2,435); IM Cerdas Barus (Jakarta, 2,445), who topped National Master (NM) Deny Sonjaya; GM Darmen Sadvakasov (Kazakhstan, 2,471), who defeated NM Anang Heriansyah (South Kalimantan).

In another table, GM Ian Rogers (Australia, 2,562), using the Queen pawn opening, drew with International Master (IM) Danny Juswanto (Jakarta, 2,483) in the 22nd move. India's number two player, GM Dibyendu Barua (2,555), drew with NM Cecep Kosasih of West Java in the 36th move using the Queen gambit opening. GM Darryl Johansen (Australia, 2,494), employing the Reti opening, and GM Alex Wojkiewicz (Poland, 2,563) agreed to a draw in the 29th move.

Percasi Master Taufik Halay, who attends the Utut Adianto chess school, was in second place in the standings with four match points after defeating FM Irwanto Sadikin (Jakarta, 2,315).

Taufik, 13, earlier beat NM Fahmi Jauhari of Jakarta. He has won four games and lost one, to IM Dede Liu (Jakarta, 2,370) in the third round of the tournament, which has attracted 230 participants from 13 countries.(ivy)