Four Chess Players Chase Norma Grand Master and Woman Grand Master

According to Kristianus, male chess players must earn eight tournament points to obtain a GM norm at this event. As for Ummi, she only needs seven tournament points to achieve a WGM norm. This tournament will be held in 11 rounds, giving Indonesian chess players a great opportunity to achieve GM and WGM norms if they can consistently perform well.

The GM norm is one of the requirements for a chess player to obtain the Grand Master title. The requirements for achieving the GM title are obtaining three GM norms and having an Elo rating of 2500. The requirements for achieving the WGM title are three WGM norms and having an Elo rating of 2300.

In the first round, Aditya (2407) who was up against Jodi (2384) fought aggressively. Aditya, who had just participated in the Bangkok Open, played attacking moves even though he played with the black chess pieces.

Despite remaining balanced until halfway through the match, Aditya continued to try to press from the minister's wing and take advantage of the position's superiority to keep pressing. Aditya finally won the match and earned one point in the tournament.

"Aditya has the advantage because he practices diligently and participates in tournaments abroad more often. He becomes sharper and more honed. Hopefully, Aditya consistently wins to obtain the GM norm in this event. Jodi also needs to rise up and pursue because the opportunity is still wide open," said Kristianus.

Meanwhile, Gilbert (2330) held Vietnamese chess grandmaster Thien Hai Dao (2475) to a draw. Their second match was also tightly contested as Gilbert attempted to win the middle board battle to maintain his positional advantage.

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However, Dao's wealth of experience was able to close the gap in the attacks. Dao did not hesitate to sacrifice officers to balance the quality and block Gilbert's moves, resulting in a draw.

Ummi (2187) also achieved a draw when competing against Myanmar chess player, IM Zaw Htun Wynn (2416). Ummi briefly had the advantage in terms of quality, possessing a minister and two pawns compared to Wynn's one rook and two pawns.

However, Wynn was able to leverage their position as king and pawn to compete against each other. With their pieces in a tight position, Ummi eventually accepted the offer for a draw.

"The draw result for Gilbert and Ummi was not detrimental as they received an additional elo rating point. They also still have the opportunity to increase their tournament points in the next rounds," said Kristianus.

Also read: A New History of Chess Created Thanks to Medina Warda Aulia

Aditya has the advantage of practicing diligently and participating in tournaments abroad more often.

In the second round, Ummi will face a tough challenge from WGM Nguyen Thi Mai Hung. Meanwhile, Gilbert will face Aditya and Jodi will challenge IM Yosep Theolifus Taher from Indonesia.

In another match, GM Novendra Priasmoro (2494) defeated GM Eugenio Torre (2425) from the Philippines. Meanwhile, GM Susanto Megaranto (2504) lost to GM Temur Kuybokarov (2600) from Australia.

Defeat was also experienced by IM Medina Warda Aulia from Singaporean chess player, IM Liu Xiangyi, and IM Yoseph T Taher who lost to Mongolian chess player, IM Uurtsaikh Agibileg.