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)