National chess players continue success

JAKARTA (JP): National chess players continued their winning ways against top foreign players in the third round of the JAPFA International Open 2000 at the Grand Bali Beach hotel in Sanur on Friday.

FIDE Master (FM) Irwanto Sadikin overcame Super Grand Master (GM) Jaan Ehlvest of Estonia, whose elo rating is 2,622, after 52 moves using the Nimzo Indian defense, Indonesian Chess Association spokesman Kristianus Liem said in a press release on Friday.

Liem said both Irwanto and Ehlvest played a tough game, attacking each other from different sides. Ehlvest began his attack from the queen's side, after his pawn secured the line in the 28th move.

But Irwanto blocked the pawn with his rook in a2, setting up an attack from the king's side. His effort bore fruit when he seized Ehlvest's pawn at g7 in the 45th move. Seven moves later, Ehlvest conceded defeat after he failed to stop Irwanto's pawn, which was heading for a promotion at line h.

Local GM Edhi Handoko was forced into a draw by West Java National Master (NM) Denny Sonjaya, who defeated on Thursday International Master (IM) Mikhail Podgaets of Russia, who is also an adviser to former world champion GM Anatoly Karpov.

NM Ruby Tamono, who trains at the Bali Jeff Chess Center in Denpasar, Bali, defeated IM Alexander Cherniaev (elo 2,460) of Russia in the 30th move using the French defense.

Ruby, who was born in Padang, West Sumatra, 21 years ago, has trained at the center since 1998 after finishing sixth in the national championship for under-20s in Banda Aceh the previous year.

As of the third round, only 17 players have managed to earn three points, including GM Alex Wojkiewicz (Poland, elo 2,563), who beat FM Kasmiran (South Sumatra, 2,315); GM Ian Rogers (Australia, 2,562), who defeated NM Anjas Novita (West Java, 2,305); GM Eugene Torre (the Philippines, 2,557), who topped FM Maksum Firdaus (South Sumatra, 2,300); GM Rogelio Antonio Jr. (the Philippines, 2,551), who bested Asrul Aray (Jakarta, 2,285); GM Sergey Beshukov (Russia, 2,460), who overcame NM Johanis (South Kalimantan); GM Dibyendu Barua (India, 2,555), who beat NM Masa Sitepu (Jakarta, 2,295); GM Darryl Johansen (Australia, 2,494), who defeated NM Fahmi Jauhari (Jakarta); GM Normund Miezis (Latvia, 2,481), who bested Phil Viner (Australia, 2,190).

Those Indonesian players who have earned three points are GM Ruben Gunawan (elo 2,507), who beat International Women's Master (IM) Upi D. Tamin (Jakarta, 2,240), and senior player GM Ardiansyah (Jakarta, 2,396), who overcame NM Toha Untoro (East Java). (ivy)