Klojen (malangkota.go.id) – The enthusiasm and perseverance of the young chess player from Malang City, Claretta Nathania Handoko, has paid off. The eighth grade student of SMPK Frateran Malang City was selected to enter the Indonesian Chess National Training Center (Pelatnas) to take part in the Asian Junior Chess Championship which will be held in China in July 2025. Previously, Claretta's achievements were also extraordinary, namely national champion in the 14-year-old age group in 2024.
Claretta admitted to being grateful for her achievement. "In the national training center, I was trained directly by national coaches Kak Susanto Megaranto and Kak Tirta Candra. Every day I train from 13.00-19.00 WIB," said Retta, as Claretta is familiarly called when met, Tuesday (20/5/2025).
Retta said that her love for chess began when she was in kindergarten. She actively practiced at the Persatuan Catur Gemerlap Malang (PCGM) club. Since then, she has continued to hone her skills. In the near future, Retta will appear in the East Java Kejurprov and the 2025th East Java Porprov 10. "For the East Java Kejurprov, the schedule is this May, the East Java Porprov in June, and the Asian Championship in China on July 2025, XNUMX," explained Retta.
With such a tight and draining training and match schedule, Retta admitted that she had to be smart in managing her time for training, rest, and academics, all of which had to be carried out with full discipline.
Meanwhile, to face the Asian Championship, Retta admitted that she is currently also undergoing training at Utut Adianto's chess school in Bekasi. The second daughter of Fredi Handoko-Anita Pujiastuti also admitted that she aspires to one day become a World Chess Grand Master (GM). "Of course I want to be a champion in this Asian Championship. That's why I will practice honing my skills to give my best," explained Retta.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Indonesian Chess Association (Percasi) of Malang City, Tatit Budi Sucahyo, admitted to being happy with the achievements of the Malang City chess players who were able to penetrate the national training center to appear in the Asian Championship. In addition to Claretta Nathania Handoko, currently the male chess player of Malang City, Arjuna Satria Pamungkas, has also entered the national training center to be prepared to appear in the Asian Championship in China. cah
