Timman vows all the right moves

JAKARTA (JP): Dutch Grand Master (GM) Jan Timman said on Monday he was confident of winning the upcoming JAPFA Classic International Chess Tournament in Sanur, Bali, despite the tough challengers.

Women's GM Judit Polgar expressed hope that she could finish in the top three in the US$56,500 tournament. Hungarian Polgar is the lone woman among eight international players, all with elo ratings above 2600, competing in the 16th category tournament from April 22 to May 2.

Polgar and Timman arrived at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on Monday for a brief visit. They are scheduled to visit State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mahadi Sinambela on Tuesday before flying to Bali on Wednesday.

Other participants are the 1975, 1985, 1993, 1999 FIDE world champion GM Anatoly Karpov (Russia, 2696), the 1999 to 2000 FIDE world champion GM Alexander Khalifman (Russia 2656), GM Yasser Seirawan (United States, 2647), GM Jaan Ehlvest (Estonia, 2622), GM Gilberto Milos Jr. (Brazil, 2586) and Master International (MI) Zaw Win Lay (Myanmar, 2633).

Indonesia's top player GM Utut Adianto (2584) and GM Ruben Gunawan (2510) will represent Indonesia in the event.

Timman said: "My goal is to win the tournament. Basically the top Grand Masters attend this tournament. My tough rival would be Karpov, but I don't know if he's in his best form."

He said he played 90 games against Karpov, with the Russian winning 20 games and he won eight.

"In several competitions last year, I did well. In Hoogeven, the Netherlands, I won once and tied once. In Dortmund, Germany, I tied once," he said.

Instead of an adviser, Timman brought his 21-year-old daughter, Delia, with him. "I don't play chess, I'm studying law in a university in my country. But I know chess," she said.

Timman said his son, Arthuro, 17, was not with him because he was taking his final examination

"I just want to improve my game," Polgar said. "I want to be happy with my game. All participants are pretty balanced. The games will be very tough. Hopefully, I can reach the top three."

Polgar was accompanied by her boyfriend Gusztav Font.

"I don't take advisers because this is a round-robin tournament where I will play all participants. So I think several weeks of preparation at home is enough." (ivy)