Irene becomes Indonesia’s first Woman Grand Master

Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Thu, 12/18/2008 7:45 AM 

IRENE KHARISMA SUKANDAR
 (JP/Ricky Yudhistira) 

Indonesian chess princess Irene Kharisma Sukandar has topped off her haul of victories over Woman Grand Masters (WGM) and Woman International Masters (WIM) by earning her third norm, and with it, the coveted WGM title — the country’s first. 

The 16-year-old, holder of a WIM title, earned a norm during last month’s Chess Olympiad in Dresden, Germany, and was presented with her new ranking by ASEAN Chess Confederation president Ignatius Leong, the Indonesian Chess Association (Percasi) said Wednesday in a statement sent to The Jakarta Post. 

Irene is in Singapore to compete in the Singapore Open  chess tournament, running from Tuesday to Sunday.

She earned her norm after winning five matches, drawing three and losing one at the Dresden contest. 

“Of course I’m happy (about becoming Indonesia’s first WGM) and very grateful to God Almighty,” Irene said in a text message to the Post. 

She added she hoped her achievement could be repeated by other Indonesian women. 

“I hope other (women chess players) will do the same now that the door has been opened. I’ve broken through it!” said Irene, who was named the best female player at the Malaysia Open chess tournament in Kuala Lumpur last August. 

Irene is the first woman in Indonesian history to attain the chess world’s highest title. By contrast, several Indonesian men have already attained the title of grand master. Among the country’s few WIMs are Upi Darmayana Tamin, Lindri Juni Wijayanti, Lisa Karlina Lumongdong and Maria Ratna Lucia (no longer active). 

Percasi secretary-gene-ral Harry Jaya Pahlawan admitted he was caught off guard by Irene’s achievement.

“We thought she might have gotten her norm next year,” he was quoted as saying in a statement. 

“So we’re happy at the news, keeping in mind how hard Irene’s journey has been to write a new chapter in Indonesian history.”