Upi notches 2nd loss to Nana

JAKARTA (JP): Upi Darmayana Tamin yesterday extended her loss to Georgia's woman grandmaster, Nana Alexandria, to 2-0 in their five-hour second match at Hotel Indonesia. The 26-year-old Indonesian, apparently short on experience and composure, fell to the three-time champion of the former USSR at the 33rd move in their first match on Sunday.

Upi, projected by the Indonesian Chess Association to be the first Indonesian woman to earn a grandmaster title, yesterday had her black king checkmated at the 45th move after blundering at the 24th move. She also failed to use her e4 pawn to regain her momentum when Nana's attacks lessened at the 31st move.

Upi now has two more matches to play today and Thursday against the 46-year-old Georgian and six-time Olympic champion who beat Dutch grandmaster Jan Timman in her heyday. Analysts said that if Upi continues to play as awkward as yesterday, it might be necessary to ask magician David Copperfield to help her gain a victory. (arf)