Ami Afriatni
Jakarta Globe – Jakarta, Indonesia
Indonesian Chess Master Edhi Passes Away At 48
Indonesian chess suffered a sudden loss on Tuesday when Grand Master Edhi Handoko died at the Cibinong Hospital in Bogor, West Java Province, following a heart attack. He was 48.
Edhi will be buried at Bonoloyo Cemetery in Solo, Central Java Province, on Sunday.
The celebrated champion, who began his career in the mid-1970s, was know to challengers and fans alike as a man who not only understood the game, but as a man who passed a wealth of knowledge on to the next generation.
He earned his National Master title in 1978, before progressing to both FIDE Master and International Master 1982. He then became Indonesia’s fourth Grand Master in 1994 after reaching an Elo rating of 2,495.
Longtime partner Utut Adianto first met Edhi at the 1978 national championship in Yogyakarta.
“He grew fast as national No. 1 until 1986, when I replaced him,” Utut, a fellow Grand Master, told the Jakarta Globe. “So there was a rivalry between us.”
Despite their rivalry, Utut praised Edhi as a worthy opponent and versatile partner. The pair reigned as Asia’s No. 1 duo on in both 1992 and again in 1994.
In early 2008, Edhi switched his career focus from tournament play to mentoring younger players
“Edhi set up the curriculum applied in my chess school as a blueprint for the regeneration of Indonesian chess players,” Utut said. “I might say he played a main role in creating international players like the youngest Grand Master, Susanto Megaranto, and Indonesia’s first Woman Grand Master, Irene Kharisma Sukandar.”
Edhi is survived by his wife, Endang Hapsari Setyaningsih, and two sons, Ekona Sulistya Wibowo, 22 and Okana Razi Giovani, 12.
Source: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com
RIP.