TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Junior Chess Team brought pride to the nation after winning four gold, one silver, and two bronze medals at the 9th Eastern Asia Youth Chess Championship (EAYCC) 2025, held in Zhuhai, China, from July 22 to 28.
A total of 14 countries took part in the tournament, which featured 464 participants. Indonesia was represented by 13 young players, all of whom were champions of the 2024 National Junior Chess Championship.
The Chairman of the Indonesian Chess Association (Percasi) had previously pledged to send these national champions to an international tournament to help nurture the next generation of elite chess players.
During the team’s official send-off on July 15, which coincided with the 33rd anniversary of the Utut Adianto Chess School (SCUA) at Cafe Tutur, Checkmate Area, Bekasi, Percasi Chairman Grandmaster Utut Adianto voiced his optimism for the team's performance.
He expressed confidence that the juniors would deliver strong results in China, just as their seniors had at the Pre SEA Games in Penang, Malaysia, the week before.
That confidence proved well-founded. The young Indonesian players succeeded in winning a total of seven medals at the EAYCC 2025, further adding to the country’s recent achievements.
Earlier in the month, Indonesia secured 13 medals at the 23rd AAG Chess Championship held from July 2 to 11, and another 21 medals at the Pre SEA Games on July 8, courtesy of the senior chess team.
The official results were announced in a press release by Percasi’s public relations team. The medal tally is as follows:
Standard Chess
Gold: Zach Alexander Tjong (U8)
Rapid Chess
Gold: Zach Alexander Tjong (U8)
Gold: Kenny Horasino Bach (U12)
Blitz Chess
Gold: Veronica Jefany Sheryl Makalew (G10)
Silver: Kenny Horasino Bach (U12)
Bronze: Zach Alexander Tjong (U8)
Bronze: Fitsal Aswa Muzafkar (U14)
Strong Performance at the 'Dragon’s Den'
The medals were earned by a group of highly talented young players, including Zach Alexander Tjong (U8), Veronica Jefany Sheryl Makalew (G10), and Kenny Horasino Bach (U12).
Although China dominated the overall competition, especially in terms of the number of participants and medals, the Indonesian team held their own. Despite being outnumbered, they remained confident throughout the tournament.
Team manager Lisa Lumongdong praised the athletes for their remarkable talent. According to her, the young players displayed exceptional composure and decisiveness during the crucial matches.
“It was clear during the final rounds. They played with confidence and made brave decisions,” she said, as quoted in Percasi’s official statement.
Hendrik Khoirul Muhid contributed to the writing of this article.
Editor's Choice: Indonesian Chess Team Takes Home 18 Gold Medals from Pre-SEA Games in Penang
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