Utut in tough group at int'l rapid chess tournament
Utut in tough group at int'l rapid chess tournament
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's top chess player Utut Adianto faces
a tough draw at the Intercontinental Cup rapid chess tournament
in Cap d'Agde, France this week.
The draw conducted on Saturday placed Utut in Group B along
with defending champion Boris Gelfand of Belarus, world number
five Vasilly Ivanchuk of Ukraine, French young gun Ettiene
Bacrot, Ivan Morovic of Chile, Vietnam's Thien Hai Dao, Walter
Arencibia of Cuba and African representative Esam Mohammed of
Egypt.
Official world champion Anatoly Karpov leads Group A which
also features Hungarian chess heavyweight Judith Polgar, the only
female competitor in the quadrennial event, Ian Rogers of
Australia, French champion Iossif Dorfman, Zourab Azmaiparachvili
of Georgia, Hicham Hamdouchi of Morocco, Watu Kobese of Sudan and
America's lone representative Giovanni Vescovi of Brazil.
"Except Gelfand and Ivanchuk, there are no contenders that
worry me unduly. I'm convinced I will make it to the last-eight
round," said Utut, fresh from a 28-hour flight on his way to this
small town near Marseille.
The top four from each group will qualify for the knock-out
second stage.
In rapid chess, players are given 25 minutes to make their
moves. In normal chess matches, players are given two hours for
the first 40 moves
Utut, making his second appearance at the unofficial world
rapid chess championship, is representing the Asia Pacific
region.
Utut's manager Eka Putra Wirya expressed guarded optimism that
his player would meet his target of finishing among the top four.
"He deserves what it takes after winning a prestigious rapid
chess tournament in Biel, Switzerland, twice in a row, last year
and in August," Eka said as quoted by Antara.
Utut was to play his opening match against Arencibia later on
Sunday.
"I've never met him (Arencibia) before, but I'm in top form
although I feel a little bit tired after a marathon flight," said
Utut.
Players earn $1,000 by qualifying for the tournament.
Qualifiers for the knock-out stage will gain $2,000 for every
additional win. The tournament winner bags $16,000, and the
runner-up half that amount. (amd)