Polgar, Utut draw first blind chess game

JAKARTA (JP): Hungarian Grandmaster Judith Polgar and Indonesia's GM Utut Adianto's first blind chess match ended in a draw yesterday.

With the draw, Polgar leads Utut 3-2. They will play blind chess again today in the last of the six games of their duel.

Polgar, here since Dec. 12, earlier played four 25-minute rapid games against Utut. The four matches resulted in one draw, two wins for Polgar and one for Utut.

If Polgar manages not to lose the last game today she will win the top prize of US$10,000 (Rp 32.5 million). Utut will take home $6,000.

Chess experts are confident that Polgar will not slip up. Utut, however, said he will try his best to at least draw today's game.

"I must admit Polgar is an even better player than me. Although I have prepared myself for this match, she (Polgar) made brilliant moves which were impossible for me to counter," Utut said.

Polgar, conversely said that in a blind chess match, Utut is hard to beat. "I had to think hard so as to avoid defeat."

Polgar ranks 19th in the world and always challenges male players.

In another match, Polgar's sister Sofia lost to Indonesia's MI Lisa Karlina Lumondong after 32 moves. (lnt)