Peng, Nutu-Gajic share lead

Peng, Nutu-Gajic share lead

JAKARTA (JP): Grandmasters (GMs) Peng Zhaoqin and Daniela
Nutu-Gajic shared the lead on 9.5 Victory Points until the 12th
round of the women's grandmaster chess championship Tuesday.

Peng, of Chinese origin and now a Dutch citizen, defeated
Imasniti of Indonesia in the 25th move of the Sicilian defense
while Nutu-Gajic won over IM Maria Lucia, also of Indonesia, in
the 45th move of the English opening.

Both Peng and Nutu-Gajic went into their final games last
night with a chance of winning the championship.

GM Nana Alexandria of Georgia and GM Zsuzsa Veroci of Hungary
are in third and fourth places with 8.5 VP and 7.5 VP
respectively.

Zsuzsa defeated FM Angela Khegai of Uzbekistan while Nana drew
with Darmayanti Tamin.

Fifth place was shared by Indonesia's International Master
(IM) Upi Darmayana Tamin and IM Angela Kheqai of Uzbekistan with
6.5 VP each.

Upi created a surprise when she drew with IM Nguyen Thi Thoan
Hoa of Vietnam. Last night she had one more game to play against
teammate Maria.

If Upi won the match, she would gain not only 7.5 VP but also
10 points to her elo 2,210 elo rating. A draw would only add five
points to her elo rating.

Whatever the result, Maria's elo rating will go down five
points, from 2260 to 2255.

Another Indonesian, IM Lisa Lumondong will also have her elo
rating dropped. Lisa only scored 4.5 VP although she won over
compatriot Diah Saidah.

Rankings: Nutu-Gajic and Peng 9.5 VP, Nana 8.5 VP, Zsuzsa 7.5
VP, Upi and Angela 6.5 VP, Thuan Hoa 6.0 VP, Maria 5.0 VP, Lisa
4.5 VP, Darmyanti and Sri Vidawati 3.0 VP, Imasniti 1.5 VP and
Diah 1.0 VP. (lnt)