Utut keeps his Cafe Cup title hopes alive

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's top chess player Utut Adianto kept his title hopes intact in the MK Cafe Cup in Koszalin, Poland, by beating Nejbosa Nikcevic of Yugoslavia in a fourth-round match on Thursday.

"I'm still alive," remarked Utut after the game lasting four hours and 45 minutes. "This victory lifts my spirit and I feel I have a chance to go to the top."

Utut stopped his Yugoslavian opponent after 41 moves to earn his second win in the tournament. With 2.5 points, Utut is tied for 13th with seven other players in the provisional standings.

Israel's Igor Khenkin maintained his lead with 4 points after downing Zbynek Hracek of the Czech Republic in another match Thursday. Friso Nijboer of the Netherlands is second with 3.5 VP, followed by a group of 10 players who are tied for the third with 3 points.

There are six more rounds remaining in the annual tournament.

Playing white combined with a Queen Indian opening, Utut gave Nikcevic no time to breathe with persistent attacks. A nervous Nikcevic blundered twice on the 10th and 40th moves and resigned just before the clock.

Utut gave credit to his opponent's stubborn defense. "He's tough and the game was very tense."

Utut said the match reminded him of the one he played with Rogelio Antonio of the Philippines in the Far East Bank tournament in Manila last April. Utut also won that game.

Other results Thursday included: GM Alexander Beljavski-GM Michail Brodksy 0.5-0.5, GM Igor Novikov-GM Emil Sutovsky 0.5- 0.5, GM Volzhin-GM Andrei Kharitonov 0.5-0.5, Nijboer-Robert Kempinsky 1-0, GM Kreinys-International Master Abhijit Kunte 0.5- 0.5, Movsesian-GM Alexander Beljavski 0.5-0.5, GM Van der Wiel-GM Michael Krasenkow 0-1, GM Henrik Teske-Ehlvest 0.5-0.5, GM Petr Haba-Ftacnik 0.5-0.5.

Spokesman for the Indonesian Chess Association Kristianus Liem told The Jakarta Post yesterday that Utut had secured a 10-point increase to his current elo rating of 2,610. The world chess body FIDE will officially announce Utut's new rating in January next year.

"Utut has added 10 points for his good showings in the Biel Masters (Switzerland) and Estonia Memorial (Estonia). There is a possibility his rating will go higher should he win in the MK Cafe Cup," Kristianus said. (lnt)