Ten best chess players to get monthly salaries

Ten best chess players to get monthly salaries

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Chess Association will choose the
country's 10 best players, after its three grand masters, and
give them a monthly salary based on their rankings.

Eka Putra Wirya, the association's technical director, said
Tuesday the 10 players would be selected in a seven-round match
starting April 19.

"Percasi has asked 30 players to take part in the selection
matches. The players must have an elo rating above 2,300 to
participate in the seven-round matches which will use the Swiss
system," Eka said.

After the matches, the 11 players with the most points will
contest a special round, in which two Indonesian grandmasters,
Edhi Handoko and Ardiansyah, and one foreigner will also play.

"The special round will use a round robin system to select
only 10 players. GM Utut Adianto will not compete in the
selection," Eka said.

The top player will receive a monthly salary of Rp 750,000 and
the other nine will each receive Rp 200,000 a month.

Cholid Ghozali, the association's deputy chairman, said Utut
would receive a monthly salary of Rp 1 million although he would
not compete in the selection matches.

"The monthly salaries of the 10 players are only valid for
four months, because every four months we will hold a promotion
and demotion tournament. It is possible that the 10 players will
be replaced by others who have gained promotions," Cholid said.

Eka said there would be an open tournament on April 19 for
women to gain national masters titles. "We will choose the 17
best (non-national) players in Indonesia. Of the 17, we will then
select the five best players (to receive titles)."

The best five will then play four national players: MI Upi
Darmayana Tamin, MI Lisa K. Limondong, MI Maria Ratna Lucia and
MI Lindri Widjajanti.

"Since this is an open tournament, everybody is allowed to
participate," Eka said. (lnt)