Utut seeks top five place in Donner meet
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's chess wizard Utut Adianto left for the Donner Memorial International Tournament in Amsterdam yesterday with his patron expecting him to finish in the top five.
Eka Putra Wirya, the long-standing patron of Indonesia's number one chess player, said on Monday that he wanted Utut to end the 12-player invitational meet, slated for Aug. 17 to Aug. 29, in one of the top five positions.
"I know it will be hard for him to meet the target, because he is going to face some of the best of the world's chess heavyweights," Eka said.
Utut, who raised his elo rating to 2,615 after sharing the top spot with Joerg Hickl of Germany in the BNI international tournament last month, considers himself privileged to be playing in what will be his biggest ever tournament.
The other grandmasters competing are former world champion contender Gata Kamsky (elo rating 2,745) and Nick De Firmian (2,575), both of the United States; Vassily Ivanchuk (2,730) of the Ukraine; Valery Salov (2,675) of Spain; Ivan Sokolov (2,670) of Bosnia; Alexander Morozevich of Russia (2,610); Granda Zuniga (2,610) of Peru; a trio of Dutch stars: Loek Van Wely (2,605), Jan Timman (2,590) and Jaroen Piket (2,580); and Britain's Julian Hodgson (2,550).
Kamsky, who failed to take Anatoly Karpov's crown at the world chess championship in the Russian republic of Kalmyka last month, is the favorite to win the Donner meet.
Despite Utut's Herculean task, Eka believes his target for Utut is realistic.
"Records show Utut has been exceptionally awesome when playing opponents rated much higher than him. He has surprised many grandmasters and chess analysts' predictions.
"In addition, Utut has thoroughly analyzed the playing styles of his prospective Donner opponents," added Eka, who is also a senior official with the Indonesian Chess Association.
Utut himself, however, seemed uneasy with the expectations Eka and many other chess enthusiasts have piled on him.
"I know I just have to be realistic about my own ability. My target is simply to play the best I can and to increase my elo rating," Utut said. The 31-year-old added it would be absurd for him to set a high target at the tournament, where his would-be opponents "are on average better than me."
The Indonesian sportsman of the year said he had spent the whole of last month preparing for the tournament. He has never met Kamsky, Ivanchuk, Sokolov, Piket or van Wely before.
"I think I'll have to play it safe and simple when meeting higher-rated opponents," Utut said. Utut has to collect at least five points to stay at his present elo rating. If he manages to get six, he will have his elo rating increased by 10. (arf)