Indonesia: always the same, yet always different

If there's something you really enjoy, you can be certain that it's either illegal, immoral or it makes you fat. But there's one thing absolutely free, which abides by none of the three.

Chess is very popular in Indonesia

If the New Zealand rugby team, All Blacks, have a Haka to intimidate their enemies or  to embolden themselves, the Indonesians rely on four words that can be loudly heard before any chess competition: Chess – Yes! Indonesia – Victorious!

I must admit this incantation works wonders. The recent JAPFA Chess Festival, consisting of two round robin events (IM + WIM tournaments) and an Open section, witnessed no less than three Indonesian winners.

Congratulations Novendra Priasmoro, Ummi Fisabilillah and Sagara Dwitama Gelar for winning (unshared) their section!

Special thanks to Rachmat Indrajaya (Independent Director PT JAPFA Comfeed Indonesia Tbk) and Artsanti Alif (Vice President Public Relations PT Japfa Comfeed Indonesia Tbk), who are generously and constantly sponsoring chess and its players. Many thanks to all those people that make things possible: Merry, Kris, Alip... and of course:

GM Utut Adianto, the best Indonesian player of all times, a top player worldwide in his prime and now a successful Senator in the Indonesian Parliament as well.

More than two hands are needed to count all the efforts & sacrifices the organizers had to make.

After seeing such a powerful game I am not surprised by the stamina and courage frequently displayed by the Indonesian chess players.

The International Masters group was dominated by Novendra Priasmoro

When youth prevails...

...over experience.

The JAPFA International Women section was won by Ummi Fisabilillah

Yours truly, however, had the privilege of receiving quite a few lessons... but no matter how many games, rating points or sleeping hours I would have to sacrifice, the siren called Indonesia and its JAPFA chess events make it impossible for me to decline any invitation coming from this side of the world. And there are good reasons for this.

Superb playing conditions

And amazing extras

For those with a never ending thirst for culture, Indonesia is the place to be

As much as I appreciate diversity, newness, surprises, coming back again and again to Jakarta makes for similar experiences. I see no changes in how the organizers are overwhelming their guests, no cut-offs when it comes to the players' conditions. But most importantly:

... the love and respect for the game...

...do not seem to have changed.

You can feel it everywhere, inside the tournament hall or outdoors on the bustling streets when talking to people or late at night, when...

...you risk to stumble over chess pieces on the streets of Jakarta.

However, taking part in a round robin event, with opponents that are far from 'easy' and having to play eleven games in less than a week is not a piece of cake. And the jet lag did not make the 9 am games more attractive. What happened to the morning person inside me?! I got promised that those double rounds will be compensated in the next edition with quadruple rest days but my request for the organizers remains: please don't take away from me such good excuses! Or else I would have to blame it all on my own play...

Power nap...

...for a clear mind

The Indonesian people remained unchanged, too. Millions of them endure terrifying traffic and pollution, struggling with their daily needs. But the same millions, even the poorest of them, are remarkably good-natured, displaying amazing cheerfulness. Why?

Because of the climate?

I actually don't know for sure. I can only guess that they must be very proud of their history, culture, wildlife, food (and more), and are passionate about sharing it with others.

I was very lucky to get a glimpse of all that in Bali,
thanks to my generous bodyguard:
tournament director Kristianus Liem.

Bali is more than a place. It is a mood that you wish to remain, a tropical state of mind, an island where dramatic sights are the norm.

There's:

The solemn
Ulun Danu Beratan Temple in Bedugul

The sublime

The stunning
Tanah Lot Temple

The artful
Balinese dancers with their precise moves
Watch the eyes, they are the key!

The intriguing

The humbling

The pastoral
Rice terraces

The 'shocking':
For more info, google Kopi Luwak!

The wild cat responsible for one of the best and
most expensive coffees in the world.

The delicious:
who would have thought that chicken can be prepared in so many different ways?!

Maybe Indonesians are so generous and friendly because on their 13,000 (!) islands about 700(!) different languages are spoken and a myriad of different cultures and religions co-exist, which make them more tolerant of differences? Whatever the reasons, I know for a fact I can return for the 100th time and will still discover something totally new.

For instance:

My height of 1.56 is actually not small at all

Producing some of the best coffee in the world requires a LOT of work

Reacting with silly faces can work wonders against blunders and missed opportunities

It is rather weird that the kaleidoscope was not invented here. On a second look, it is natural that all those scientists failed to re-create the zillion flavors, colors and...

... beauties that Indonesia has to offer.

Bali took my breath away

I am still unable to grasp the wonder of all that green

The world's fourth most populous country – 262 million and counting – has all the grounds to keep being just as optimistic and perhaps more than that if we speak about chess: a huge chess nursery, talented and fearless players, governmental and parental support.

I would not be surprised if one of the next World Champions...

...will come from this land, a land of sun and opportunity.

Final standings

Source: Chess-Results.com