New masters expected

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia is expecting to produce three more international masters during a two-week competition in Yogyakarta now gets underway.

"It's realistic that our players could make it," Indonesian official Sunder Sundriyo said during the championship's opening ceremony on Wednesday. Grand Master Ardiansyah is leading the six-strong national team for the international tournament at the Ambarukmo Hotel.

A player must acquire at least 8.5 victory points in 24 matches to win the Master International title. Non-master Irwanto and three FIDE Masters Denny Yuswanto, Bobby Kurniawan and Irwin Irnandi are Indonesia's hopefuls to win the coveted title.

Foreign participants are from Australia, New Zealand, India, Pakistan, Vietnam, the Philippines and Singapore. (amd)