Take Indonesian Grandmaster Utut Adianto, 35, who started the game at six and is basically self-taught. He started winning tournaments at 13 and has gone onto win 7 international championships. Between 1990 and 1995, he was the second strongest Asian GM after Indian GM Vishwanathan Anand. His sport has taken him to 89 countries and he is quite active promoting chess in Indonesia. He even has a chess school named after him.

GM Adianto was recently in Bangkok for a 'simultaneous' chess exhibition (he plays several boards all at once). He was invited by Khun Prajuab Nimityongskul, Thailand's representative of the International Chess Federation (FIDE). The exhibition was held at the RBSC Polo Club on July 19th and attended by local chess enthusiasts, including two members of Thailand's national chess team, Banjuab Jiravorasuk, and Kannapon Srivachirawat.

GM Adianto gave this assessment of the local int'l chess scene: "In general, Thai players are good, there are about 5 to 10 players I can think of, that could attain the rank of International Master (IM). The Thais are particularly good at tactical skills and calculating combinations. What they lack is a strong grasp of strategy and better endgames."

At the exhibition, Banjuab gave the GM the hardest time, even passing up a win towards the endgame (see game).

In Indonesia, int'l chess is a part of the culture and the GM reckons there are 10,000 to 15,000 active players. Tournaments are held frequently with open chess meets every 2 months and an annual national tournament. By contrast, Thailand has a popular Thai chess (early variant of the game) scene but no regular int'l chess meets. There is an annual Chess Open (this year between August 11th & 22nd , email thailandchess@hotmail.com for further information), but very few opportunities to rate players.

But the scene is improving. There are now two chess clubs (Blue Lakes & Chess Lovers, email for both thailandchess@hotmail), with a resident chess teacher, Mr. Frederic Verheyden (ex-member of the Belgium National Team, under 20) and a growing number of chess websites (http://www.thaispecial.com/chess , http://www.intellectworld.com).

Regionally, every two years, there is the Asian Championship. With the formation of the ASEAN Chess Federation, there will be even more opportunities. In 2003, chess will be officially part of the SEA Games in Vietnam as an exhibition sport. Will Thailand be ready? Will there be a Thai GM?