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Vietnam, Philippines RI's toughest competitors at ASEAN event
Pondering a move: Grandmaster Susanto Megaranto (right) goes up against fellow Indonesian International Master Sean Winshand Cuhendi at the third Japfa ASEAN Chess Championships at Utut Adianto Chess School (SCUA) in Bekasi, West Java, on Tuesday
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Pondering a move: Grandmaster Susanto Megaranto (right) goes up against fellow Indonesian International Master Sean Winshand Cuhendi at the third Japfa ASEAN Chess Championships at Utut Adianto Chess School (SCUA) in Bekasi, West Java, on Tuesday.(JP/Niken Prathivi) (right) goes up against fellow Indonesian International Master Sean Winshand Cuhendi at the third Japfa ASEAN Chess Championships at Utut Adianto Chess School (SCUA) in Bekasi, West Java, on Tuesday.(JP/Niken Prathivi)
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span class="inline inline-center">Pondering a move: Grandmaster Susanto Megaranto (right) goes up against fellow Indonesian International Master Sean Winshand Cuhendi at the third Japfa ASEAN Chess Championships at Utut Adianto Chess School (SCUA) in Bekasi, West Java, on Tuesday.(JP/Niken Prathivi)
The 3rd Japfa ASEAN Chess Championships began on Tuesday, with participants from Vietnam and the Philippines believed to be the toughest competitors for host Indonesia.
Indonesian chess patron Eka Putra Wirya said that, historically, Vietnam's chess players were strong.
'Vietnam is quite powerful, especially in the women's division. In the men's division, we need to watch out for athletes from the Philippine,' Eka said during the opening ceremony of the tournament at the Utut Adianto Chess School (SCUA) in Bekasi, West Java.
Utut Adianto, deputy chairman of the Indonesia Chess Association, officially opened the tournament, which will run until Dec. 30.
Eka said that the tournament provided a good opportunity for young athletes to hone their technical skills and fighting spirit.
The championships ' featuring ASEAN Open, ASEAN Women and Challengers categories ' will grant the winners a norm, the first step toward attaining full Grandmaster or Woman Grandmaster title.
One of Indonesian's young chess players, Shanti Nur Abidah, expressed her hope of obtaining a women's grandmaster norm.
'This is a good opportunity for me to win a WGM norm. I must succeed here,' said the 15-year-old as quoted by Antara news wire before playing her first-round match.
Shanti did not deny the psychological tension.
'This is my first ASEAN tournament. Of course I feel nervous, but I will try to steel my nerve,' she said.
The teenager entered the tournament on a high after winning bronze at a tournament in Pattaya, Thailand.
The 3rd ASEAN tournament features competitors from Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia.
Each participant is fielding two players except Indonesia, which, as host, has four, with Amanda Suci Fitriani, Chelsie Monica Sihite and Dewi AA Citra joining Shanti.
In the men's category, Indonesia is placing its title hopes on Susanto Megaranto and Sean Windshan Cuhendi.
'This is a good chance for our players to win grandmaster norms,' Eka said.
ASEAN also comprises Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Laos, Singapore and Thailand, but those countries have skipped the tournament.
The organizers said that Singapore had decided not to send its players, while other countries do not have players eligible for the tournament.
Participants in the ASEAN Open must have a FIDE (World Chess Federation) rating of 2300 or above, while participants in ASEAN Women need to have a rating of 2100 or above. Male participants with ratings below 2300 and female participants with ratings below 2100 can only play in the Challengers category.
