Irene’s Grand Plans

January 26, 2009
Ami Afriatni
Grandmaster Has Some Grand Plans

The work of a chess prodigy like Irene Kharisma Sukandar is never done.

After becoming the first Indonesian to attain the status of Woman Grandmaster, Irene is setting her sights on becoming a full-fledged GrandMaster.

But to make that dream come true, she’ll need some help.

“I have plans to compete in 12 tournaments, including a number in Europe, and I’m still looking for sponsors now,” the 16-year-old player said.

Getting exposed to top-notch competition would enhance Irene’s talents. The answer to that is facing the best in the world, which means going to Europe.

Irene says she will stay there to get her training going.

“Mrs. Rita [Subowo, Indonesian Olympic Committee chairwoman] advised me to live in Switzerland. She also said that she’s going to find a way to send me there,” Irene said.

“I’m so happy to hear that. I’m sure she can help me through her good relationship with the International Olympic Committee.”

“Europe has lots of tournaments throughout the year. Staying in Switzerland would make it easier for me to go to other European countries because it’s in the middle of Europe,” she added.

Other than title of Women’s World Champion, the rank of Woman Grandmaster is the highest title restricted to women. The title is lower than full Grandmaster, though female players attaining full status is not uncommon.

Irene will also try to get some help from Adhyaksa Dault, the Minister of Youth and Sport.

“I hope the minister would appreciate my plans and make some efforts to help me find sponsors,” she said.

“If I find it hard to get sponsors, then I’m afraid so will other Indonesian chess players. And if that happens, then Indonesian chess will never make any progress.”

Utut Adianto, official of the Indonesian Chess Association and also a Grandmaster, said he is happy the committee has shown a positive response to Irene’s goals, particularly about the plan to send her to Switzerland.

“Irene’s biggest expenses will be daily expenses, accommodation, and hiring a coach. If the committee can work it out, it will be good for her,” Utut said.

Even though chess is important to Irene and achieving full Grandmaster status is her next dream, education is still Irene’s priority. She is completing her final year at Nusantara High School in Jakarta.

Irene said she has plans to go to college. While she’s uncertain about her major, she is hoping to take advantage of an opportunity in the United States, where Texas Tech University has offered her a scholarship.

“I’ve been corresponding with Susan Polgar, who offered me the scholarship. It’s absolutely an interesting offer. I will think about that,” she said.

Polgar was the Women’s World Chess Champion from 1996 to 1999. She then established the Susan Polgar Institute for Chess Excellence at Texas Tech.

Irene said she would consider higher education because she doesn’t see herself playing chess forever.

Irene earned her Woman Grandmaster title when she led the Indonesian women’s team at the 38th Chess Olympiad in Dresden, Germany, from Nov. 12-25, 2008. It took her two years to reach that level after becoming a Woman International Master at the previous Olympiad in Turin, Italy, in 2006.

Source: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com

Photo: Irene Kharisma Sukandar, who became Indonesia’s first Woman Grandmaster at age 16 at the 2008 Dresden Olympiad.)