Tamara to make 1st move in Utut-Karpov match

JAKARTA (JP): Top model and actress Tamara Bleszynsky is scheduled to make the first move in the chess match between Utut Adianto and Anatoly Karpov of Russia here from Nov. 21 to Nov. 25.

Organizer Machnan Kamaluddin said yesterday that Tamara was chosen to attract more public attention to the contest.

"You must remember that Tamara is the model in the Bank Tamara advertisement. Bank Tamara is the main sponsor of the duel match," Machnan said.

Dubbed the "Clash of the Titans", the encounter consists of six rounds. Each round will consist of three games: blindfold chess, regular chess and rapid chess.

The winner of the four-day match will receive US$30,000 while the loser will take home $20,000.

Kristianus Liem of the Jakarta chess school Enerpac told The Jakarta Post yesterday that the match, which originally was to be held at Hotel Indonesia, has been switched to Hotel Omni Batavia.

"The switch was the wish of the sponsor, Bank Tamara," Kristianus said.

Karpov is ranked fourth in the world with an elo rating of 2745; Utut is ranked 53rd with an elo rating of 2610.

Karpov is expected to arrive in the capital next Wednesday.

The Russian grandmaster has played in 140 tournaments, more than any other player, and has won most of them.

Garry Kasparov of Russia and Nigel Short of England are the only two players that have defeated Karpov. (lnt)