First Seed Status, Irene Sukandar Becomes Indonesia's Mainstay Wins The 2021 SEA Games Classic Chess Gold Medal

Indonesia's flagship chess player at the 2021 SEA Games, Irene Kharisma Iskandar. (Doc. NOC Indonesia)

JAKARTA – Indonesia's mainstay chess player, Irene Kharisma Sukandar, is the first seed in the classic chess number of the 2021 SEA Games Hanoi. This status makes the 30-year-old athlete expected to donate gold in that number.

Irene fell in the two-year event by pocketing an elo rating of 2392. She was followed by Singaporean chess player WGM Qianyun in second place (2348) and host chess player Vo Thi Kim Pung (2340) in third place.

"We hope to win a gold medal in this classic chess. The physical condition of the children is quite good and we hope to give the best performance in each round," said Head Coach of the Indonesian Chess National Team (Timnas) Kristianus Liem in a written statement received by VOI, Tuesday 10 May.

Classic chess matches play nine rounds with the Swiss system for men and a half competition of 9 innings for women. Matches with a thought time of 90 minutes, plus an additional 30 seconds per move.

Chef de Mission (CdM) Indonesia at the 2021 SEA Games, Ferry Kono, is proud that Indonesian chess players have emerged as the first seed. However, he hoped that this status would not make Irene happy.

"Hopefully Irene's position as the first seed can smooth her steps to climb the championship podium. Even so, I hope Irene can stay focused because chess, especially classical numbers, is a game with a long enough time, so high concentration is needed," said Ferry. .

The chess match will begin today Tuesday, May 10, with the classic men's and women's numbers contesting. Besides Irene, Indonesia also sent WIM Dewi Ardhiani Anastasia Citra and two male chess players namely GM Novendra Priasmoro and IM Mohamad Ervan.

Meanwhile, in the men's classic chess number, two chess players from Vietnam were superior, namely GM Nguyen Ngok Troung Son (2641) and GM Tran Tuan Minh (2533). Meanwhile, Indonesian chess player, GM Novendra Priasmoro (2501) is the fifth seed.