Utut set for Net game with Short

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Grand Master (GM) Utut Adianto said on Friday he was ready to challenge GM Nigel Short in the first round of the Grand Prix Chess Online via the Internet at Ibis Slipi Hotel, West Jakarta, on Saturday.

"Before this Saturday's tournament, I have already tried using the computer five times in the hotel's Kerinci Room. At first I had a problem in the transmission data delivery but after Indosat helped with the transmission, I hope I can beat Short," Utut said.

Utut will play Short, the 1999 PCA world champion, from 8 p.m. on Saturday to 1 a.m. Sunday.

The Grand Prix Online offers a total cash prize of US$52,000. Fifteen selected chess players, all GMs, from five continents are competing in the tournament, which is being held from Feb. 9 to Feb. 19.

First-round losers receive $1,000 while the winner gets $20,000.

The players are world champion Gary Kasparov, Nick de Firmian, Peter Svidler, Michael Adams, Boris Gulko, Jeroen Piket, Yasser Seirawan, Ivan Sokolov, Loen van Wely, Giberto Milos, Alexander Morozevich, Dibyendu Barua, Utut, Short and Illescas Cordoba.

The players will also play against the Deep Blue, which is considered the most difficult computer to beat. (lnt)