Utut win leaves Polgar duel a tie

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Grandmaster Utut Adianto drew his chess duel with Hungarian GM Judith Polgar after defeating her in the last match of their series late Wednesday.

The two players shared the US$10,000 and $6,000 prizes.

The Indonesian Chess Association gave a $2,000 bonus to Utut for preventing an overall Polgar victory.

As soon as Polgar gave up, on the 49th move, Utut raised his right hand and was cheered by spectators. The Indonesian had led since the 22nd move following a British opening in the blind chess game.

On the 22nd move, Utut moved his rook to a1 to dominate the A file. He had refused Polgar's offer to move his rook from a2 to b2 on the previous move. If Utut had moved his rook Polgar would have had the chance to beating him.

"Utut is a brilliant player. We're proud to see the game. He is still getting better," said chess association official Eka Putra Wirya.

Polgar, whose elo rating is 2,665, seemed very nervous after her defeat and she rushed to the ladies room.

"My game was good in the beginning but I don't know ....," she said.

The association now plans to set up a clash between Utut and GM Gata Kamsky of the United States, whose elo rating is 2,745.

Kamsky beat Utut in the Donner Memorial Cup in Amsterdam three months ago.

Polgar's sister Sofia ended her match against Lisa K. Lumongdong of Indonesia in a draw Wednesday to bag $2,500. Lisa took home $1,500. (yan)