Young Indonesian GM in sight

JAKARTA (JP): Four Indonesian children -- nine-year-old Taufik Hailay, Hastomo, 10, Evi Lindawati, 10 and Abuzal, 9 -- are projected to earn Grand Master titles in five or six years' time, according to Eka Putra Wirya, the owner of the Jakarta-based Enerpac chess school.

Eka said that the children, who are attending the school four times a week to improve their skills, were dubbed "most talented" by the school's teachers. She said they should be given a chance to represent Indonesia in next year's world chess championships for their respective age groups.

But they must first win next year's national championships for their respective age groups. Only the one with the highest score will be sent to the world championship, Eka told The Jakarta Post yesterday.

The national, as well as the world chess championships, feature under-10 to under-20 age groups, with a two-year age interval. (arf)