'Ruthless' Kosteniuk takes the day at Japfa chess meet

Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Alexandra Kosteniuk appeared ruthless in her quest to be the reigning queen of the Japfa Chess Match, which ended here on Saturday.

The Russian women's grand master steamrolled right over the three Indonesians, winning all six games, with the latest victim being Susanto Megaranto.

Despite the dismal performance, Indonesian team officials put on a brave face, saying they were not too concerned at the results.

"Although I had expected at least half a point from each pairing, I'm not disappointed with the results. The lads tried their best. Kosteniuk was exceptionally outstanding," committee chairman Eka Putra Wirya said.

"The lads should learn much from the matches. They must have recognized their weak points in the end game. We will be looking at how to improve," he added.

Susanto, playing Black, was put under severe pressure by Kosteniuk and had little time to recoup before resigning in 50 moves.

GM Utut Adianto, who trained Susanto before the matches, was visibly shocked at the outcome.

"The results were very displeasing. But I warn against judging performance blindly from the results because bringing Kosteniuk here will have long-term benefits," he said.

On Kosteniuk's performance, he said that being the world runner-up, the Russian was one or two levels above the Indonesian trio.

"But it does not mean the boys cannot match her at all. We had better positions in three games with White, but they lacked toughness at crucial moments and lost," Utut added.

Unlike the previous game, Susanto looked more easily beaten in his second game at the VOC Cafe and Gallery on Saturday.

The turning point of the game was when Susanto provoked his opponent into a fierce battle with his 19th move. Although observers said it was a notebook move, Susanto was beginning to suffer from painful pressure.

Kosteniuk had more space to maneuver her pieces, while Susanto appeared to be preoccupied with the threat of checkmate.

She began her onslaught with her Queen at move 33, which caused Susanto, who was already a pawn down, to lose another pawn in the following two moves. And another two not long after.

The game ended to applause from the large audience.

"They just have to work hard in the future and I wish success may be with them in the future," she said when asked about the Indonesians' performance in all matches.

Japfa Chess Match White: A. Kosteniuk (2469) Black: Susanto Megaranto (2364) Day 6: Caro-Kann Defense Result: 1-0

1. e4-c6 2. d4-d5 3. Nd2-dxe4 4. Nxe4-Bf5 5. Ng3-Bg6 6. h4-h6 7. Nf3-Nd7 8. h5-Bh7 9. Bd3-Bxd3 10. Qxd3-e6 11. Bd2-Qc7 12. 0-0-0-0-0-0 13. Ne4-Nf6 14. g3-Nxe4 15. Qxe4-Nf6 16. Qe2-Bd6 17. c4-c5 18. Kb1-cxd4 19. Nxd4-Bxg3 20. Nb5-Qe5 21. Nxa7+-Kb8 22. Be3-Bf4 23. Nb5-Be3 24. fxe3-Ne4 25. Rxd8-Rxd8 26. Rd1-Rxd1 27. Qxd1 28. Kc1-e5 29. b4-g3 30. Qd3-Qc6 31. hxg6-fxg6 32. c5-g5 33. Qd8+-Qc8 34. Qe7-Ka8 35. Qxe5-Nf2 36. Qc3-Kb8 37. Qd2-Qh8 38. Qd6+-Ka8 39. Kb1-Ne4 40. Qd3-Qf6 41. Qa3+-Kb8 42. Qa7+-Kc8 43. Qa8+-Kd7 44. Qb7+-Kd8 45. Qd5+-Kc8 46. Na7+-Kb8 47. Nc6+-Kc7 48. Qxe4-Qxc6 49. Qxc6+-Kxc6 50. Kc2 1-0