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)