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Indonesian women chess grandmaster Medina Warda Aulia defeated Ivan Sokolov, a Dutch grandmaster, in a surprise victory in the second round at the JAPFA GM & WGM International Chess Tournament 2019.

Beginning at the Spanish Opening, Medina (2375) appeared aggressive, while Sokolov (2595) looked tense and under pressure during the match, held at Grand Inna Malioboro Hotel, Yogyakarta, on Friday evening.

The match appeared to be a draw at the beginning, but Sokolov was forced to resign after 54 moves.

Medina kept up with Sokolov from the start, said chess commentator Kristianus Liem, noting that Medina’s moves were more stable.

The following are the results of the second round in the Grand Master category of the tournament:

IM Novendra Priasmoro (2457) 1/2 vs 1/2 GM Susanto Megaranto (2548)
WGM Medina Warda Aulia (2375) 1 vs 0 GM Ivan Sokolov (2595)
IM Yoseph Theolifus Taher (2446) 1/2 vs 1/2 GM Rustam Khusunutdinov (Kazakshtan, 2471)
FM Azarya Jodi Setyakiv(2421) 1/2 vs 1/2 IM Arghyadip Das (India, 2439)
IM Sean Winshand Cuhendi (2422) 1/2 vs 1/2 Rhagunandan Kaumandur Srihari (India, 2442)
GM Dmitry Kokarev (2609) 1 vs 0 IM Ravi Teja (India, 2405)

The JAPFA GM & WGM International Chess Tournament 2019 is being held in Yogyakarta from June 13 to 22, with several Indonesian chess players and 12 foreign chess players.


Participating foreign female chess players are IM Sophie Millet (France), WGM Gong Qianyun (Singapore), WGM Keti Tsatsalashvili (Georgia), IM Alina L’ami (Romania), WIM Luong Phuong Hanh (Vietnam), and WIM Rucha Pujari (India).


Indonesia's female chess players joining the tournament include WFM Chelsie Monica Sihite (elo rating 2212), EIM Dewi AA Citra (2205), WFM Umi Fisabililah (2201), WFM Monica Putri (2151), WFM Tammi Nasuha Nurdin (2125), WFMB Zahra Chumaira (2112), and WGM Medina Wardah Aulia (2375).


Foreign male chess players competing in the tournament are, among others, GM Kokarev (Russia, 2609), GM Ivan Sokolov (The Netherlands, 2595), GM Rustam Khusunutdinov (Kazakshtan, 2471), GM Rhagunandan Kaumandur Srihari (India, 2442), IM Arghyadip Das (India, 2439), and IM Ravi Teja (India, 2405).


Indonesia's male chess players include GM Susanto Megaranto (2548), IM Novendra Priasmoro (2457), IM Yoseph Theolifus Taher (2446), and FM Azarya Jodi Setyaki (2421). (ant)