Klojen (malangkota.go.id) – The management of the Indonesian Chess Association (Percasi) of Malang City has included two junior chess athletes in the Asian junior chess championship. 'Eastern Asia Youth Chess Championship 2019' in Bangkok, Thailand on August 1-10, 2019.
Chairman of Percasi Malang City Thatit Boedisucahyo said, the two athletes sent were Nayaka Budi Dharma (12 years old) and Arjuna Satria Pamungkas (11 years old). Nayaka will compete in the Junior C Group or age group under 15 years (KU-15) and Arjuna will compete in the Junior D Group or age group under 13 years (KU-13).
The dispatch of Nayaka and Arjuna was at the request of the Percasi Executive Board through a letter dated July 16, 2019, signed by Secretary General Henry Hendratno.
"The sending of Nayaka and Arjuna is the result of their achievements when participating in the 2018 National Chess Championship in Aceh, so it is only natural that PB Percasi asked them to represent Indonesia in Bangkok later," said Thatit, Monday (29/7/2019).
At the 47th National Chess Championship in Banda Aceh on 10-17 October 2018, four of the nine chess athletes from Malang City who strengthened the East Java Provincial chess team won medals that led the East Java contingent to become the overall champion in Percasi's annual event.
East Java won six gold medals, three silver medals, and two bronze medals. Three gold medals were contributed by Nayaka, Arjuna, and Hafiza Indriani, while the bronze medal was won by Claretta Nathania Handoko.
Nayaka and Arjuna left for Jakarta accompanied by their respective parents to then join the Indonesian contingent that departed for PB Percasi from the Utut Adianto Chess School in Bekasi on Wednesday (31/7/2019).
Nayaka, 12 years old is a 1st grade student at SMPN 5 Malang while Arjuna is in 5th grade at SDN Mojolangu 5 and is 11 years old. Nayaka and Arjuna have achieved several achievements. However, Nayaka's achievements must be acknowledged as greater than Arjuna's. Nayaka already holds the title of Master Percasi or MP.
Nayaka has won several chess tournaments at Malang level, East Java regional level, and even Southeast Asia level. Competing in chess at the Asian level is the second international match for Nayaka.
Previously, Nayaka represented the Indonesian team in the 18th ASEAN Age Group 18 Open Chess Championship held in Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia, from November 2017 to December 25, 4.
Indonesia became the overall champion by winning 13 gold medals, five silver medals, and four bronze medals. Nayaka contributed three medals from the three classes competed at that time, namely standard chess (silver medal), rapid chess (gold medal), and blitz chess (gold medal).
Nayaka participated in the chess championship in Malaysia thanks to her achievement in winning a bronze medal in the Junior E (U-11) rapid chess category in the IV National Junior Chess Championship in Bojongsari, Depok, West Java, from November 27 to December 2, 2016. At that time, Arjuna won a silver medal for the Junior G (U-07) category.
"Usually those sent to international championships representing Indonesia are those who have won first, second, and third place. The sending is absolutely the decision of PB Percasi," said Thatit.
According to Thatit, the chess achievements of Malang City are increasing, especially in the junior group. This achievement is the result of consistent and intensive athlete cultivation through a series of tournaments and the Malang City Chess League which are routinely held. (hms/yon)
