Timman vows all the right moves

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)