Very disappointing. That sums up the performance of Indonesian players in the 3rd ASEAN Championship. No player was able to achieve more than 50% of VP, let alone won the championship trophies. Yoseph Theolifus Taherr, a last minute addition, was the only one who made a notable result. He scored 50% or 5.5 VP which was good enough to register a 10-round IM norm.
The National Chess Selection, held at SCUA (Utut Adianto Chess School) Bekasi, was to choose two man and one woman players to complete Indonesian team for the upcoming Chess Olympiad at Tromsø, Norway, on August 1-15, 2014. Only two men and one woman would be chosen. Three men and four women have already been in the team.
The Women World Champion 2004-6 GM Antoaneta Stefanova took two Indonesian WGMs, Medina Warda Aulia and Irene Kharisma Sukandar, in a match at SCUA (Utut Adianto Chess School), Bekasi. The match featured 4 rounds blitz and 2 rounds rapid. A newly-launched web based company ChessKu.com was the sponsor.
France confirmed their favorite status by winning the blitz chess match, 3-1, on the first day. But the French delights ended up here. On the following days the Indonesian team stunned the French, 10-6 in the rapid. In the classical, France succumbed to defeat by about the same margin. Altogether Indonesia beat France 20.5-15.5.
Sandy Kurniawan, 2005 U20 National Champion, won the open section while Gerhana Ch Kartina dominated the girls. It was worth noting that many talented young players swarmed the event. Surya, Satibi, Gokok, Taufanadhie, Priambodo, Masruri, Gerhana, Yemi, and Chelsie all soon became national champions in their respective age group.
Taufik Halay led until the penultimate round. All he needed was half a point in the last round to conclude the tournament. Unfortunately his opponent, Andrean Susilodinata, had a different idea and beat him. The surprise champion was Tirta Chandra Purnama who entered the tournament as the lowest rated player.
