Young Susanto back to defend title at Pusam Cup
Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Young Indonesian chess star Susanto Megaranto will defend his title at the Pusam Cup from Jan. 26 through Feb. 2 in Samarinda, East Kalimantan.
Susanto, 16, seems to have gained confidence ahead of the Rp 46 million (US$5,111) tournament, winning the most recent leg of the eight-series Gunadarma Chess League last December.
It was his second victory in the league, which features numerous veteran players, after winning the opening series.
However, Kristianus Liem, director of the Utut Adianto Chess School, where Susanto has been carrying out his chess apprenticeship, was wary about his protege's chances in the Pusam Cup, given that the event traditionally features a strong lineup of veteran players.
"His win in 2002 took many people by surprise. Lots of people were skeptical, thinking he be a fluke. But then he beat veteran players to come out as the winner at the West Java tournament last July," Kristianus told The Jakarta Post here on Thursday.
"He carried on with two wins in the Gunadarma League. There is no doubt that he is on the same skill level as the seniors. He is a strong candidate to win, emulating his feat from last year.
"However, his mental and physical endurance will count the most in his performance. How well he applies his strategy also will be decisive," Kristianus said.
Susanto, who will be dispatched by his Japfa Chess Club for a three-month European tour starting in March, also has shone in world junior competitions, his most recent achievement being the bronze medal at the World Youth Olympiad in Kuala Lumpur last August.
"Susanto is the only junior player on the national team who has progressively improved," Kristianus said.
At the Pusam Cup, Susanto likely will be paired against GM Edhi Handoko, one of his mentors at the Japfa Chess Club, where he trains five days a week.
Tournament organizers say they expect about 100 players to attend the event. The organizers will provide a "Master Fee" to international-titled players, be they GMs (Grand Masters), International Masters (IMs) or FIDE Masters (FMs). These players also are exempt from registration fees.
"It will be a tough tournament because almost all the top players in the national rankings are expected to take up the challenge," IM Ivan Situru, a committee member, said from Samarinda.
The tournament will be played using the Swiss system of nine rounds with an hour and half allowed for each player.