IndonesiaBase

The newly wed Judit Polgar wrapped up the tournament neatly to give herself a memorable present and another pinnacle in her career. The event produced one strange game when Ruben Gunawan agreed to draw in much better position against Utut Adianto. The Japfa Classic is the highest rated tournament in Indonesia to date.

Utut Adianto tried very hard to prove that he was the best Indonesian player there was. He prevailed. Despite significant rating gaps he led Indonesian team to successfully beat their guests. ROW players, especially Erik van den Doel and Darryl Johansen, seemed not ready for tough battle and played with vacation mode on.

The tournament was the open version of Japfa Classic Chess Tournament held several days earlier at the same city. Indonesian players failed to win this event. Four overseas players were in pole positions: Damien Sadvakasov, Nordmund Miezis, Buenaventura Villamayor, and Jaan Ehlvest.