RI men's chess team gains higher standing

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's men's chess players improved their ranking to 35th from 41st position with a total Victory Points (VPs) of 20.0 at the 34th Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey.

Indonesian players finally took another victory by defeating Vietnam 2.5-1.5 on Monday. Vietnam finished in 53rd place with a total score of 19.0 VPs.

Indonesia's ace player Grand Master Utut Adianto proved his superior skill by ousting Dao Thien 1-0 in the 45th move and proved himself unbeatable in his five matches.

Unfortunately, teammate Edi Handoko failed to follow Utut's path and had to bow out 0-1 to Nguyen Anh in the 65th move.

Ruben Gunawan had to concede to a draw to Tu Hoang Thong after only the 17th move.

Fortunately, Danny Juswanto managed to defeat Tu Hoang Thai 1- 0 in the 42nd move.

Overall, Germany still leads with total points of 25.0 VPs followed by Armenia with equal points and Ukraine with 24.5 VPs.

Russia, which followed in the second spot Sunday, had to drop to fourth place with total points of 24.0 VPs.

In the women's side, Indonesia managed to tie with Japan 1.5- 1.5 VPs in the ninth round of the Olympiad, which is participated in by 128 teams from 126 countries.

Upi D. Tamim unexpectedly lost to Lai Xiaoqing 0-1 in the 41st move.

Ai Zakiah managed to equal the score by overcoming Miyoko Watai in a very tough match which lasted until the 73rd move.

Evi Lindiawati could only manage a draw with Emiko Nakagawa in the 51st move.

Indonesia, so far, is in 59th position overall with total points of 12.5 VPs while Japan is in 63rd place with the same score.

China still leads with 21.0 VPs followed by Georgia with 20.5 and Russia with 18.5. (yan)