Utut wins first game in Groningen

Utut wins first game in Groningen

JAKARTA (JP): Grandmaster Utut Adianto of Indonesia opened his
world chess championship campaign with a victory, defeating GM
Wang Zhili of China in Groningen, the Netherlands.

Utut, who has an elo rating of 2,610, beat Zili in a three-
hour intense game Monday. Zili's elo rating is 2,520.

Utut, playing with the white piece, used the Trompowski
opening. This surprised Zili as Utut rarely uses it.

Utut pressed Zili throughout the game. On the 25th move, the
Indoneisian sacrificed his pawns in order to attack his opponent
with a knight and rook combination.

Zili could not counterattack against Utut's onslaught and
resigned on the 30th move.

Chess pundits in the Netherlands considered the match
thrilling and very intense. Many of them had already predicted
that Utut would win the game.

Eka Putra Wirya of the Jakarta Enerpac chess school, who
accompanied Utut to the championships, said in Jakarta recently
that he was optimistic Utut could beat Zili.

"I don't think Utut will have any problem with Zili,
considering their respective qualities," Eka said. His optimism
turned into reality with Utut's victory.

Utut was scheduled to meet Zili again yesterday with Zili
playing with the white pieces.

If Utut were to lose yesterday's game, another game will be
scheduled to decide who will progress to the second round and
face Peter Svidler of Russia. Svidler has an elo rating of 2,520.

Utut is now heavily favored to face Svidler.

"I will concentrate more on defense than offense. I hope to
secure a draw with Zili in my effort to face Svidler," Utut said.

Svidler is considered a tough opponent for Utut. But Eka is
optimistic that Utut can beat the Russian.

"Svidler is a tough player but I am optimistic that Utut can
beat him," Eka said.

Utut is representing East Asia and the Asia-Pacific zone in
the competition.

The world championships, which runs until Dec. 28, features
100 of the world's best chess players, all grandmasters. The
winner will challenge FIDE world champion Anatoly Karpov of
Russia. (lnt)