Utut scores hat trick at Biel Masters c'ship

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Grand Master Utut Adianto scored a hat trick in the Biel Masters chess championship in Switzerland on Wednesday with a win over International Master Dejan Antic of Yugoslavia.

Despite playing black, Utut showed a flair that drew the praise of chess enthusiasts watching the tournament. Local media has dubbed Utut Mr. Iron Determination on account of his cool head.

Utut and Antic stood equal after the first 13 moves of the game in which they both used the Queen Indian defense.

Antic attempted a new but makeshift variant in the 14th move which proved fatal. He later admitted to having learned the variant from Indian Grand Master Viswanathan Anand's 1996 defeat of world champion Anatole Karpov before Wednesday's game.

Utut then took total control of the match and Antic's resignation became a simple matter of time. Playing under persistent attack from Utut, the Yugoslavian gave up after 36 moves and three hours and 45 minutes.

The victory left Utut perched on top of the leader board along with Alexander Mikhaelevsky of Israel, the only other player to have maintained a 100 percent record in the tournament. The two will square off in the fourth round.

Russian-born Mikhaelevsky beat fellow International Master Tomas Polak of the Czech Republic.

Utut defeated Grand Master Neboisa Ilijin of Rumania in the first round on Monday and International Master Hans Juerg Kaenel of Switzerland in the second round on Tuesday.

Other results on Wednesday included Portisch of Hungary's defeat of Benital of France, Tukmakov of the Ukraine's defeat of Nernet from Switzerland and Kallai of Hungary's victory over his Swiss opponent Liardet.

Portisch, Tukmakov, Pavolvic, Kallai, Pikula and Cherniaev share second place in the provisional standings with 2.5 points apiece.

A total of 58 players from 15 countries are competing in the tournament which has a 42,000 Swiss francs purse. Of the 58, 13 hold the title of Grand Master, including one female. Fourteen International Masters and five International Chess Federation (FIDE) Masters are also competing.

The winner will earn 7,000 Swiss francs. (lnt)