Utut Adianto and Seirawan ready for today's duel

Utut Adianto and Seirawan ready for today's duel

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian chess experts have billed today's duel between local number one Utut Adianto and American grand master Yasser Seirawan as a struggle for both of them.

"I am optimistic that I will win, though I know it won't be easy," Utut said, adding that he thought they were equally matched.

The world chess body FIDE rated 29 year-old Utut at 2,520 in July, while Seirawan is rated at 2,585. But, after taking part in several international tournaments, Utut and Seirawan have raised their ratings by 70 and 20 respectively.

Utut said that a 2.5 - 1.5 victory would be enough to boost his present elo rating from 2,590 to 2,600.

Utut said Master National Sebastian Simanjuntak and FIDE Master Ruben Gunawan have helped him analyze Seirawan's stats and have given him advice on strategies.

Seirawan, on the other hand, said that based on his past performances he must be tipped to win but wouldn't underestimate his opponent. Utut played well during his recent European tour.

Utut, who has just returned from a 13-day stint with Russian grand master Joseff Dorman in Paris, performed at his best when he won the Biel Masters in Switzerland last August.

"I think it will be a very hard battle for me," said the American who turned professional 17 years ago.

Now ranked among the world's top 50, he said that he was good at combining the position feature with well-devised planning and tactics while Utut has a solid opening and had good math skills.

Seirawan was invited by Enerpac chess school to replace 1957- 58 world champion Vassily Smyslov who was hospitalized a few days before his planned departure to Indonesia. (arf)