Yap fails to earn GM norm in Dubai

CEBUANO IM Kim Steven Yap (2418) discovered that his quest to score the first GM norm will take a little longer and definitely won’t end in the 15th Dubai Chess Open Championships.

Yap was denied the elusive norm as he found his campaign in Dubai on a rollercoaster ride.

The former University of Cebu Webmasters ace found himself tied with 32 other players who have 5.0 points after eight rounds, sharing the 30th to the 61st spots. Yap himself is at the 54th place, while compatriot Julius De Ramos is at the 56th place.

Fellow Cebuano and former Sun. Star Cebu sports editor Jobannie Tabada had 4.5 points and was tied with 20 other players occupying the 62nd to 82nd spots.

The big blow to Yap’s campaign came in Round 6 when he lost to WIM Madina Davletbayeva (2248) of Kazakhstan.

Yap’s hopes came crashing down after that game, that even beating Andreas Kohtz (2068) of Germany and WIM Sarasadat Khademalsharieh (2267) of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Round 7 and Round 8, respectively, could not help in his pursuit for a norm.

Currently, Yap has a performance rating of 2319 after eight rounds, while the requirement in order to get a GM is at least a 2600 total performance rating.

However, Yap could at least elevate his international rating if he can beat his final opponent GM Viorel Iordachescu (2599) of Moldova in their match held as of press time last night.

Iordachescu, who is very close to joining the super GM club, was Yap’s third GM opponent, another requisite to earn a norm.