Filipino IM stuns GM foe, shares lead

GENERAL SANTOS CITY—International Master (IM) Kim Steven Yap scored back-to-back wins and kept a perfect score for a share of the lead with two others in round three of the Manny Pacquiao International Open chess championship late Tuesday at Family Country Hotel here.

Yap, the pride of Cebu City and seeded 19th, upset fifth seed Grandmaster (GM) Timur Gareyev in the third round and drew level with GM Arkadij Naiditsch and GM Novendra Priasmoro with three points.

In a field that attracted 16 grandmasters from 13 countries, the 37-year-old Yap remained focused ahead of the tougher grind.

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“I’m very happy with my performance thus far, but I should not let it get in my head. The end is so far away,” said Yap.