Utut meets Wismoyo ahead of world c'ships
Utut meets Wismoyo ahead of world c'ships
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Grandmaster Utut Adianto has paid a
courtesy call on Indonesian Sports Council chairman Wismoyo
Arismunandar prior to his participation in the world chess
championships in Groningen, the Netherlands, from Dec. 8 to Dec.
28.
During the meeting with Wismoyo Tuesday, Utut was accompanied
by four national junior chess players who will take part in the
world junior championships in Cannes, France, from Dec. 8 to Dec.
18.
The four players were Taufik Hallay, Susanto Megaranto, Evie
Lindiawati and Bagas Prama Ananta.
Cholid Ghozali, the Indonesian Chess Association's deputy
chairman, said Utut was one of the representatives of East Asia
and the Asia-Pacific zone in the championships.
"This is the first time Utut has been included in the world
championships," Cholid said.
The world championships will feature 100 of the world's best
chess players, all grandmasters. The winner will challenge world
champion Anatoly Karpov of Russia.
Utut will be accompanied by Eka Putra Wirya, the association's
training section chief. Eka is also the director of the Enerpac
chess school.
Utut, who has an elo rating of 2,610, will meet Wang Zili of
China in the first round. Zili has an elo rating of 2,520.
"I don't think Utut will have any problem with Zili,
considering their respective qualities," Eka said.
In the second round, Utut would then face Peter Svidler of
Russia who has an elo rating of 2,640.
"Svidler is a tough player but I am optimistic that Utut can
beat him," added Eka.
Utut is scheduled to leave for Holland tonight. Prior to his
departure, Utut will brief reporters today on his preparations
for the world championships. Akbar Tandjung, the association's
chairman, is expected to attend the meeting.
In November Utut warmed up for the world championships by
playing against Karpov in the Clash of the Titans at the Omni
Batavia Hotel.
The duel match consisted of nine games; two blind, two
classical, two rapid and three lightning.
Utut lost the match 3.5-5.5 and received US$20,000, Karpov
received $30,000 plus an appearance fee of $10,000.
Tough
Karpov admired Utut's play and said he was tough to defeat.
"Utut is a good player and I am certain that he will do his
best in the world championships," Karpov told reporters after the
duel match.
Association spokesman Kristianus Liem said no target had been
set for the junior players in the world junior championships.
"We only want to see how good our junior players are in the
Cannes tournament. We have not set any target for them and only
hope they can create a surprise," Kristianus said.
Kristianus will travel with the junior players. They also
leave tonight.
The world junior championships is divided into four age groups
of 10 years, 14 years, 16 years and 18 years. (lnt)