IM Kim Yap targets GM norm in Dubai tilt

CEBU, Philippines - Cebuano International Master Kim Steven Yap trains his sights on higher goals and that is to grab a Grandmaster norm as he competes in the 19th Dubai Open Chess Tournament set on April 3-12 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

It will be a tough mission though for Yap as he will go up against 50 GMs and super GMs all over the world led by defending champion Romain Edouard of France.

The 28-year-old Yap, currently the head coach of the University of Cebu varsity chess team, previously competed in Dubai in 2014 where he placed 20th with 5.5 points in the 9-round Swiss system competition. In that same year, he won gold medal in the Asian Chess Clubs League in Al Ain, UAE.

"It's been a while since I took part in a top level tournament and hopefully I would perform well," said Yap, whose last stint abroad was in Malaysia two years ago. "My target this time is to get a GM norm. It's a difficult task because I'm up against the top GMs and super GMs around the world but I will just give my best shot in the tournament."

Yap, the director of Cebu School of Chess who also handles the developmental chess program of Marie Ernestine School, is scheduled to leave for Dubai on March 28. He will be accompanied by one of his benefactors Francis Nico Patalinghug, a young entrepreneur who is engaged in seafood business under Sodai Marketing.

Yap's Dubai sojourn is also made possible by UC President Augusto W. Go, longtime chess patron Bogie Lim of Rose Pharmacy and businessman Felix Anthony Amagos. — EBV (FREEMAN)