Utut shines in Cakti chess tourney

Utut shines in Cakti chess tourney

JAKARTA (JP): Utut Adianto struck back yesterday to regain the
sole lead in the Cakti chess tournament in Madras, India, with an
impressive sixth-round win over home favorite Varugeese Koshy.

The Indonesian number one grandmaster, who had to share the
lead with British grandmaster Anthony Miles on Thursday, attacked
rampantly with his black pieces. After just 25 moves, Utut
brought the Indian international master to his knees.

The breathtaking win took the 31-year-old Indonesian's
cumulative points total to five and demoted Miles, who ended the
day drawing with another Indian, Babu Sudhakar, to second place
with half a point less.

Taking advantage of playing with the white pieces, Koshy
forced the English opening, thereby deterring Utut from
developing his favorite strategy, Caro Kann which also earned him
a win in the fourth round on Wednesday.

Despite all his efforts to tame Utut's spirited moves, Koshy
found his material under siege in the middle of the board after
being lured into capturing one of Utut's pawns in the sixth move.

Koshy attempted a kingside castling to save his king. With
victory in sight however, Utut refused to give his panting
opponent a chance to take breath, directing his attacks on
Koshy's king.

On his 19th move, a carefree Utut again forced Koshy to take a
pawn sacrifice with his bishop, only to give way to a black
knight to infiltrate Koshy's whole defense. By the 25th move,
Koshy knew everything was over.

In the seventh round, Utut will play with the advantageous
white pieces against grandmaster Niaz Murshed of Bangladesh.
(her/arf)

Results:
Koshy (Ind) 0 Utut (Ina) 1
Miles (Gbr) 1/2 Sudhakar (Ind) 1/2
Konguvel (Ind) 1 Thipsay (Ind) 0
Ramesh (Ind) 1/2 Lovlu (Bld) 1/2
Tilak (Ind) 0 Prasad (Ind) 1
Murshed (Bld) 1/2 Barua (Ind) 1/2

Standings:
1. Utut 5
2. Miles 4 1/2
3. Murshed 4
4. Prasad 3 1/2

Barua 3 1/2