Successful in Asia Zone, Utut joins elite circle

JAKARTA (JP): A year of endless efforts deserved a reward as Indonesia's Utut Adianto finally assured himself of a coveted place in the world's society of Super Grand Master.

The memorable moment came after his impressive win in the Asia Zone 3.2 chess tournament in Genting Highland, Malaysia, on Monday.

Despite an indifferent draw at the 12th move, with his compatriot Master International Nasib Ginting, in his final game, Grand Master Utut led the 28-field competition with nine match points. Filipino Grand Master Result Antonio came second with 7.5, followed by Nasib, who was just half a point behind.

The victory gave Utut 10 extra points to add his previous elo rating of 2,585. The 30-year-old Indonesian had also reserved five points after the Olympic of Chess in December, shooting his rating to a minimum Super Grand Master standard of 2,600 when the world chess body announces the players' new elo rating next month.

The Super Grand Master title will earn Utut an automatic entry into the Interzone championship in August and other world-class tournaments which feature chess players with elo ratings of no less than 2,600. The Interzone tournament serves as the elimination round for the world title match.

Utut's success, to become the first Indonesian to join the world chess aristocracy, capped a one-year hard-fought, sometimes frustrating, struggle.

The national number one chess player made his last trial to better his rating when he challenged American Grand Master Yasser Seirawan for a duel meet here in November. Utut suffered a 3-1 rout and dropped his 2,690 rating by five points.

Russian-born Australian Irina Berezina took the women's laurels with 8.5 points in Genting Highland, leading her closest rival Hoang Than Trang of Vietnam by just half a point. Indonesia's best, Upi D. Tamin, managed only the fourth spot after collecting five points.

Meanwhile, eight foreign chess players from India, Pakistan, Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam and Singapore will tackle national talents led by Grand Master Ardiansyah during a week- long tournament in Yogyakarta, starting today.

The event, featuring competitors with elo rating below 2,500, who play round-robin matches, is aimed at improving the ratings of national players. (amd)