Utut ready to repeat success at Biel Master

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's Grandmaster Utut Adianto said that he was determined to recapture the Biel Masters chess tournament title at Biel, Switzerland, from July 21 to Aug. 1.

"My determination for success at the Biel Masters is to improve my elo rating which dropped by five points in the open tournament in Argentina last month," Utut said before departing for Switzerland Wednesday.

Utut's current elo rating is 2610 and he hopes to improve it by at least 10 points.

He has competed in the Biel Masters twice before, in 1994 and 1995.

In 1994, Utut's world ranking was in the top 100 even though his elo rating was only 2520. He won the tournament in 1994 but only came third in 1995.

His success in the two tournaments earned Utut "The Iron Determination" title and his elo rating jumped to 2615. He was honored with the additional title Grandmaster Super and his world ranking improved to 51st.

"This year I am seeded fifth. This is rather a heavy pressure on me since my rivals are very tough," Utut was quoted by Antara as saying.

Ten 10 GM Supers, 40 GMs and 50 International Masters are scheduled to compete in this year's Biel Masters, which offers total prize money of US$40,000.

Utut, who usually depends on his Caro-Kann defense, said he had prepared for two months for the tournament.

"Besides prepared technically, I am also prepared both physically and mentally," he said.

Other grandmasters taking part in the Biel tournament include Lajos Portisch (Hungary), Lev Psakish (Russia) and Ulf Anderson (Sweden). (lnt)