JAPFA Chess Festival

The Jakarta Post.com reports on the chess femmes participating in the Japfa International: April 17, 2008 Irene, Ruofan lead chess 2nd rd The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesian Woman International Master hopeful, Irene Kharisma Sukandar, shared the lead with top seed Woman Grandmaster Li Ruofan of Singapore in the second round of the Japfa Chess Festival at the Indonesian Sports Council's hall on Wednesday. Irene beat Woman FIDE Master Thanda Aye Win of Myanmar in the first round on Tuesday and drew with Catherine Perena of the Philippines in the second round on Wednesday to collect 1.5 points. "I played very badly in the second round match with most of my pieces in bad positions. From the beginning, I let myself feel the pressure," 16-year-old chess player said with a sigh. "My chances of winning were very slim. That's why I accepted Catherine's offer of a draw." At the time of writing, Irene, who is chasing her first Grandmaster norm in the championship to become Indonesia's first Woman Grandmaster, was taking on Woman Grandmaster Regina Pokorna of Slovakia in Wednesday's third round match. The Indonesian Chess Association said Irene needed at least 6.5 points from the 10-round contest to win a Grandmaster norm. Irene is expecting tough battles on Thursday, playing Krivec in the fourth round and Ruofan in the fifth round. Top seed Ruofan, who defeated Slovakian Pokorna in the first round, also saw her campaign held back by the Philippine national master Perena in the second round. Ruofan was not immediately available for an interview Wednesday. Another Woman Grandmaster, Jana Krivec of Slovenia, had a rough start after drawing her first and second round matches with Regina Pokorna and Thanda Aye Win, respectively. One of those on the bottom of the ladder, Win, said she had not set any goals for the tournament, but enjoyed the contest. "This is the first time for me to play Grandmaster players. I am here to get some experience," the 25-year-old Woman FIDE Master said. (ind)