Utut draws with Karpov in 4th round

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Grand Master Utut Adianto's game against FIDE world champion GM Anatoly Karpov ended in a surprising draw in the fourth round of the Clash of the Titans at Omni Batavia Hotel yesterday.

Utut offered to draw after the 45th move which was accepted by Karpov. The draw occurred as both players sacrificed their two Castles, leaving no way for a checkmate.

With the draw, Utut leads over Karpov 2.5-1.5 after winning two games against one loss.

Utut said Saturday he had wished for a draw.

"A draw is already enough for me, since it can give me spirit for Monday's last two matches," Utut said.

Today's two matches are the final in the duel match. Both matches will feature rapid chess. Each match will last 25 minutes.

Indosiar will broadcast today's rapid chess matches live from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Utut will play the first match with the white piece and Karpov will take the white in the second match.

Karpov started yesterday's match with the white piece. His first move was not from the book and Utut replied with a Benoni defense.

Both players continuously attacked each other with a variety of moves until the 36th move. In the 37th move, Utut checked Karpov's King which was in line with the Queen. Karpov moved his King and Utut took the Queen which was taken by the Castle.

Utut, relying on his two Castles, played the game calmly by moving the Castles in different directions and not allowing Karpov to check the King.

In the 40th move, both Karpov and Utut sacrificed their two Castles in exchange for Utut's two pawns. The two pawns eventually were to become Queens but were blocked by Karpov's King.

The 41st, 42nd, 43rd and 44th moves were useless moves as Karpov was only left with a Bishop and two pawns compared to Utut with five pawns. Wherever Karpov moved his Bishop or his pawns, there was no way Karpov could check Utut.

In the 45th move, Utut offered a draw and Karpov accepted it.

Yesterday's game was hailed by chess pundits as remarkable.

National Master Bing Sardjono said that Utut rightly decided to end in a draw because the match could not be extended further.

"Utut saw that if Karpov did not agree to the draw, Karpov may have lost the game. So, Utut's offer for a draw was the right choice," Bing said.

Bing added that Utut was fully prepared for yesterday's match and was consistent throughout the four-hour match. "Utut did not make any blunders and his moves were brilliant."

GM Ardiansyah hoped that Utut would use the same strategies in today's remaining matches.

"I hope the strategies he used today (Sunday) will be applied in Monday's (today's) matches. I don't want to comment on who will win but of course I am in favor of Utut," said Ardiansyah.

Utut did not comment after the game, only to analyze his game against Karpov.

Utut also did not want to predict who would be victorious in today's games.

The duel match, sponsored by the Tamara Group, offers US$30,000 to the winner and $20,000 to the loser. (lnt)