Medina claims third win to share lead at world event
Thu, January 01 1970, 7:00 AM
Young Indonesian chess player, WIM Medina Warda Aulia, 16, booked her third win in as many matches to join the leading pack in the Junior World Chess Championship, now underway in Kocaeli, Turkey.
She shares the lead with WGM Aleksandra Goryachkina of Russia and WIM Zhai Mo of China, thanks to her victory over WIM Maria Bezgidiva of Bulgaria in the third round of the girl’s division on Sunday.
The match can be viewed live on wjcc2013.tsf.org.tr/en/live-games.
Medina dominated her opponent from the start and brought the game to an end after 38 moves in a French variation game.
“Like in a boxing match, Medina danced around with her jabs and when her opponent faltered, she launched a straight right to the opponent’s chin, which brought her down onto the canvas,” team manager Kristianus Liem said in a press release.
Unfortunately, fellow teammate WIM Chelsie Monica Sihite failed to follow Medina’s winning ways. The 18-year-old was under pressure throughout the game against WGM Aleksandra Goryachkina of Russia.
Two pawns down toward the end of the game, Medina tried to hold on but to no avail, as her opponent managed to capitalize and seize victory.
In the open division, both Muhammad Luthfi Ali and IM Farid Firman Syah chalked up full points over their respective opponents.
Luthfi beat IM Radoslav Dimitrov of Bulgaria after playing 52 moves of a Caro-Kann game, while Farid achieved his first tournament win over Zhanbai Uulu Zhokhar of Kyrgizstan in a 41-move Slav game.
For Luthfi, this means the chance to attain his first international master (IM), given the fact that his three opponents are rated above him.
The fourth of the total 13 rounds was underway on Tuesday. Luthfi was taking on Debashis Das and Farid, Wang Yiye.
Chelsie looked to bounce back from her recent defeat as she faced Xiao Yiyi.
Medina’s consistency will be tested further with Chinese Wang Jue, who is rated higher than her, being her next opponent.
The 13-round tournament features 195 young players from 52 countries.
Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com
Impressive.