RI chess players run into stormy wheather

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian players ran into rough weather at the Olympics of Chess in Moscow when they slipped to defeat in both the men's and women's divisions in Sunday's 10th round.

The men's team, fresh from a 3-1 victory over Morocco on Saturday, were forced to weather an upset 1.5-2.5 loss to Brazil. Third player Dijk van Riems secured Brazil's victory after stopping reckless Ivan Jonathan Situru in the 26th move. The other three games ended in a draw.

In the women's division, Upi Dharmayana Tamin led a team that was obviously no match for Estonia which pounded it 2.5-0.5. Upi was the only player to score when she held off International Master Piampuu in the 40th move of their Indian Queen game.

"Situru overlooked a deadly threat to his king while he was taking advantage of rook possession," said team manager Djamil Djamal.

Djamil said his men's loss was just a matter of bad luck. "Mid-table teams of the tournament are about in the same league. Losing or winning is decided by Lady Luck," he said.

The Indonesian men's team's hopes of improving its ranking looks dim after the upset defeat. It has now collected 20.5 match points and lies at between 50 and 60 in the provisional standings of the 124-field competition.

"With only four matches left, we may need a miracle to finish among the top 40," Djamil said. Indonesia finished 40th in the last meet in Manila two years ago.

National number one Grand Master Utut Adianto failed to capitalize on the Reti opening during his duel against GM Neto Sunyie. Utut accepted a draw after 57 moves.

Indonesia's number two player, GM Edhi Handoko, shared an equal ending with Vescovi and fourth player Cerdas Barus was held by Da Silva.

Women's player Lisa Lumongdong had yet to regain her form after several days out, giving up to Fomina in the 51st move of their match at the third board. Estonia completed its overwhelming run over Indonesia as Laesson stopped Maria Ratna Lucia in the 43rd move.

Playing before Indonesian Ambassador Rachmat Witoelar, Indonesia produced doubles wins in the ninth round on Saturday. An Utut-led men's squad came from 0-1 down to crush Morocco 3-1 as the trio of Upi, Maria and Lindri Yuni convincingly beat Brazil 2.5-0.5.

Utut and company will now meet Ireland in the 10th round as their women's compatriots take on Mongolia. (amd)