The 2nd Indonesian Open Chess Championship 2012 was officially opened today by Deputy Sports Minister Prof. Djoko Pekik Irianto in a colourful ceremony featuring Indonesia dance from different parts of this vast country.
Attending the opening was Adi Suyuso who represented Major General Toni Suratman, President of the powerful Indonesia National Sports Committee (KONI) and Grandmaster Utut Adianto, Deputy Preisdent of PERCASI (All Indonesia Chess Federation), various officials, as well as most of the 27 Grandmasters, the top 50 Indonesian players, and some 40 other internationals who had arrived in time.
The 2nd Indonesian Open Chess Championship is going to have its first round tomorrow, with Grandmasters such as Ivan Sokolov, representing the Netherlands,Li Chao and Yu Yangyi from China, Vlad Tkachiev representing France, the other Vietnam superstar Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son, Jaan Ehlvest now playing for the USA, India’s Surya Sekhar Ganguly and the large delegation from the Philippines of Oliver Barbosa, Rogelio Antonio, John Paul Gomez, Mark Paragua, Darwin Laylo, Eugene Torre and Richard Bitoon. See the full players list here, live games will be shown with analysis on the official website here and on the Chessdom live games page.
Adi Suyoso, who was earlier mistaken by some players to be an Indian Grandmaster, reaffirmed KONI’s ongoing and deep support for Indonesia chess and its aspirations.
In his turn, Utut Adianto in his speech confirmed that the Sports Minister had now agreed to continue to support the Indonesian Open next year while congratulating the Organising Committee on holding the second tournament because to have an event for the second time was always more difficult that to start it! Now a Senator, GM Adianto especially took the opportunity to welcome the players from his generation participating while paying particular tribute to Grandmaster Eugene Torre, Asia’s first GM and whom he acknowledged to be the reason why he took up chess and who was his major influence during his time as a player. He also expressed his hope that local hero Susanto Megaranto could emerge the champion!
Go Eugenio!