IndonesiaBase

The 7th National Championship had a different format than the previous ones. Firstly players had to qualify to represent their regions/provinces. Those players then played in a challenger tournament. Finally the winner of this tournament was arranged to play in a match with the defending champion Baris Hutagalung.

Originally GM Vassily Smyslov of Russia was the player who would play GM Utut Adianto. Unfortunately the ex-World Champion could not make to Jakarta because of health reasons. In less than a week the organiser had to find a substitute. In such sort notice GM Yasser Seirawan of USA kindly agreed to play Utut.

As part of the preparation for the World Championship Match, Dr Machgielis (Max) Euwe visited Indonesia in 1930. Euwe played many games, literally hundreds of them, at the cities of Sumatera and Java. Beside playing simultaneous exhibitions, Euwe played matches with the best local players on equal terms.

The first half, rounds of 1-12, of Karpov-Timman match was held in Netherlands. The second half was originally planned in Oman but the country withdrew the offer. Until the last game in Netherlands no one was sure should the match be finished. Luckily for FIDE, Indonesia came up as a saviour to organise the second half of the match.

GM Vladislav Tkachiev played two Indonesian players, GM Edhi Handoko and IM Andi Supardi Suhendra. The late Edhi Handoko belonged to the best players in Indonesia at that time. Andi Suhendra was a talented young player who won Asian Junior Championship 1992 at Dubai. Tkachiev won both matches.

Utut Adianto Wahyuwidayat played Judit Polgár in six rapid games. After four rounds Judit seemed to cruise to easy win with one point lead and two blindfold games to spare. To everyone’s surprise Utut showed his rare talent in blindfold and beat Judit in the last game. The match ended with a tie, 3-3.

Sofia Polgár played three best Indonesian women chess players Maria Lucia Ratnasari Sulistya, Upi Darmayana Tamin, and Lisa Karlina Lumongdong. Despite rating gaps, Sofia failed to play up to her billing. She managed to beat Upi Tamin but failing to win the others. She even slumped to defeat to Lisa Lumongdong.