VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

A total of 24 chess players from 11 countries have been taking part in the international chess championship – JAFPA GM & WGM Chess Tournament 2018 at Paragon Hotel Solo, Central Java since Wednesday (25/4/2018). Twelve of them are from Indonesia, while others come from various countries, including the United States, Russia, China, Vietnam, France, Serbia, Singapore, Romania and Georgia. The International Chess Championships was officially opened by Central java Governor, Heru Sujatmoko accompanied by Solo Mayor, FX Hadi Rudiyatmo and Chairman of Indonesian Chess Association (PB Percasi), Utut Adiyanto and Corporate Affairs Director of JAPFA, Rachmat Indrajaya. The General Chairman of PB Percasi, Utut Adiyanto said that the event which takes place until May 1 is aimed to encourage Indonesian chess players to improve their performance and win the grand master title. Solo is chosen as the host city as it is the home of Indonesian Grand Master, Edi Handoko. Utut hopes that the event will be able to raise the spirit of chess players as well as to establish young master seeds.

“This is a Grand Master tournament for men and women from 11 countries. There are from the United States, China, Russia, Vietnam, and France. Solo is chosen as the host city as it has been home to early chess players. There was Edi Handoko from Solo. We are lack of chess player supply from Central Java. Thus, we choose Solo to host the tournament,”  Utut Adianto said.

Utut Adianto added that some of the overseas chess players who take part have big names and hold grand master titles. Meanwhile, Corporate Affairs Director of JAPFA, Rachmat Indrajaya said that his side encourages Indonesian chess activities not only to be held through annual competition which invites Indonesian chess players, but also to form JAPFA Chess Club as a commitment of the company in a bid to build and train potential Indonesian chess athletes. He hopes that the Indonesian chess players really get the best rivals so that they are able to excel at the International level.  (KBRN/Edwi/Trans Ndy/RHM)