Ruben tops Hamdani, Edhi ties Danny

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Grand Master (GM) Ruben Gunawan beat FIDE Master Hamdani Rubin in the 56th move using the Sicilian defense in the semifinal of the 34th Chess Olympic Games national selection tournament here on Monday.

In other semifinal action, International Master Danny Juswanto forced a tie with GM Edhi Handoko in the 76th move employing the Modern defense. The four chess players all qualified to represent the country in the Olympics from Oct. 28 to Nov. 14 in Istanbul.

Sixteen women's players are still competing for two places on the team. Indonesian Chess Association Master (PM) Evi Lindiawati of Jakarta took over the top position from National Master (NM) Susianah Handayani with 4.5 Match Points.

Sharing the top position is PM Yenny Riayaningrum, who forced a tie with NM Neiko Rasaki of West Java in the 39th move using the Ancient Hindu defense. (ivy)