American International Master (IM) and popular streamer Eric Rosen has announced his marriage to Indonesia’s most decorated female chess player, IM and Woman Grandmaster (WGM) Irene Kharisma Sukandar. The announcement, made on December 7, 2025, has united two beloved figures in the chess world, bridging the gap between the North American streaming scene and the competitive Southeast Asian chess circuit.
While Eric Rosen is widely known for his calm demeanor, educational content, and the “Rosen Trap,” his new bride is a titan of competitive chess in her own right. For those who may only know her through her occasional appearances on Twitch or the recent wedding headlines, Irene Sukandar is far more than just “Eric Rosen’s wife.” She is a trailblazer, a national sporting hero in Indonesia.
The Prodigy from Jakarta
Born on April 7, 1992, in Jakarta, Indonesia, Irene Kharisma Sukandar showed signs of brilliance long before she ever sat at a chessboard. She is the second child of Singgih Heyzkel and Cici Ratna Mulya. Her journey into the 64 squares began at the tender age of seven, inspired by watching her father teach her older brother, Kaisar Jenus Hakiki. What started as curiosity quickly transformed into a consuming passion.
Recognizing her potential, her father made the pivotal decision to enroll her in the Utut Adianto Chess School in Bekasi in 1999. It was a grueling schedule for a child; Irene would train intensely for three to four hours a day after school. However, the dedication paid off almost immediately. By 2001, at just nine years old, she had already achieved the title of Master Percasi (MP). A year later, she secured the National Woman Master (MNW) title.
Her rise was meteoric. In 2003, at the age of 11, she was selected to represent Indonesia at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Vietnam. As the youngest athlete in the contingent, she defied expectations by bringing home two silver medals, marking the beginning of her long reign as the queen of Indonesian chess.
Breaking Barriers: First Woman Grandmaster and International Master
Irene Sukandar’s career is defined by “firsts.” In a country with a growing interest in chess but few high-level female role models, she became the standard-bearer.
In December 2008, at the age of 16, she achieved what no Indonesian woman had done before: she earned the title of Woman Grandmaster (WGM). This title is the highest ranking exclusive to women in chess, but Irene did not stop there. She set her sights on the open titles, which are competed for by both men and women.
In 2014, she shattered another glass ceiling by becoming the first Indonesian woman to earn the International Master (IM) title. To put this in perspective, the IM title requires three “norms” (high-level tournament performances) and a FIDE rating of 2400, a level of play that places one in the top tier of competitive players globally. Her achievement signaled to the world that Indonesian women could compete at the highest levels of the game.
Asian Champion and Global Competitor
Irene’s dominance is not limited to national events. She has been a formidable force in Asian chess for over a decade. She won the prestigious Asian Women’s Chess Championship twice, first in 2012 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and again in 2014 in Sharjah, UAE. These victories were not just for glory; they secured her qualification for the Women’s World Chess Championship, pitting her against the absolute best female players on the planet.
She has represented Indonesia in numerous Chess Olympiads appearing in Turin (2006), Dresden (2008), Khanty-Mansiysk (2010), and Tromsø (2014), among others. In regional competitions, she has been a medal machine. At the 2013 SEA Games in Myanmar, she won gold in the International Chess Blitz event. Even years later, she remained at the top of her game, securing a silver medal at the 2021 SEA Games in Hanoi.
The Scholar-Athlete: Life in St. Louis
A significant chapter of Irene’s life took place in the United States. Irene accepted a scholarship to Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri, home to the SPICE (Susan Polgar Institute for Chess Excellence) program.
St. Louis is often called the chess capital of the United States, and Webster University’s team is legendary, having won countless collegiate championships. Studying under the tutelage of legends like Susan Polgar, Irene balanced high-level competitive chess with rigorous academics. In 2017, she graduated with a Master’s degree in International Relations.
It was during this time in the U.S. chess circuit that her path likely crossed frequently with Eric Rosen. Both were active players in open tournaments across North America, and both became fixtures in the vibrant St. Louis chess scene.
The “Dewa Kipas” Saga
While her titles and degrees are impressive, Irene Sukandar became a household name in Indonesia for a different reason in 2021: the “Dewa Kipas” controversy.
The saga began when an unknown Indonesian player named Dadang Subur (playing under the username “Dewa_Kipas”) defeated the world-famous IM Levy Rozman (GothamChess) online. After cheat detection algorithms banned Subur’s account, a national outcry ensued, with many Indonesians believing their countryman was unfairly treated.
Irene stepped in as the voice of reason and professional integrity. She penned an open letter to the Indonesian podcast host Deddy Corbuzier, explaining the data behind cheating detection in chess. This led to a televised exhibition match between Irene and Dadang Subur. The match was watched by over a million live viewers, breaking viewership records for a chess broadcast. Irene won decisively, 3-0, vindicating the professional chess community while handling the immense pressure with grace and class. The event sparked a massive boom in chess interest across Indonesia.
A Power Couple for the Digital Age
The union of Eric Rosen and Irene Sukandar brings together two different but complementary worlds. Eric is a pioneer of chess streaming, known for his dry humor and creative playstyles like the Stafford Gambit. Irene is a classical competitor, a national icon, and a symbol of sporting excellence.
In recent years, Irene has also ventured into content creation, streaming on Twitch and collaborating with other chess personalities. Their marriage represents a beautiful merger of cultures—Indonesian and American—and chess philosophies.
As they begin this new chapter together, the chess world celebrates not just a marriage, but the coming together of two people who have dedicated their lives to the game. For Irene Sukandar, this is yet another highlight in a life already filled with extraordinary moves. Whether on the board representing her country or off the board building a life with Eric Rosen, Irene continues to be a Grandmaster in every sense of the word.
I’m a passionate board game enthusiast and a skilled player in chess, xiangqi and Go. Words for Attacking Chess since 2023. Ping me at Lichess for a game or chat.