League games expected to invigorate national chess

League games expected to invigorate national chess

The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Sun, 10/18/2009 11:59 AM | Sports

The Indonesian Chess Association (Percasi) is looking to add impetus to the national chess competition by planning to hold a national league, although details have yet to be drawn up.

“With the league, we expect chess players will take part in regular tournaments necessary to hone their skills while they can earn *financial* income from their game,” Utut Adianto, who heads the National League Board, told The Jakarta Post on Saturday.

Utut, who is still considered the country’s national chess icon, has recently been assigned to his new post at the Indonesian Chess Association (Percasi), which announced its new board last week.

Given his international experience, Utut is believed to be the right person in his new post.

“Chess development for young players is crucial, but we can’t overlook veteran players,” said Utut, who is now a member of Commission X from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P).

With the league expected to begin in March next year, Percasi, Utut said, is still working on the format of competition.

Eddie Widiono is leading the chess association for a second four-year term.

Apart from organizing the chess league, Percasi is looking to push its young stars Susanto Megaranto and Irene Kharisma further into world-level chess.

Percasi wants Susanto to improve his rating to over 2,600. He currently holds 2,527.

If he succeeds, he will be the second Indonesian chess player to be able to do so after Utut.

While Utut criticized Susanto for a drop in his performance, he nevertheless had tips for his would-be successor.

“He was better three years ago than he is now. He has been losing focus. He becomes complacent too quickly,” Utut said.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com