Cebu IM Yap ties for 4th in Brunei chess
Final Standings
6.5 pts — GM Marat Dzhumaev (Uzbekistan), IM Jakhongir Vakhidov (Uzbekistan), FM Pitra Andika (Indonesia)
6.0 pts — GM Tahir Vakhidov (Uzbekistan), GM Jha Sriram (India), IM Kim Steven Yap (Philippines), GM Nguyen Anh Dung (Vietnam), Yeoh Li Tian (Malaysia)
5.5 pts — IM Sharma Dinesh K (India), GM Dao Thien Hai (Vietnam), GM Oliver Barbosa (Philippines), FM Mari Joseph Turqueza (Philippines), Fong Yit Ho (Malaysia)
5.0 pts — IM Oliver Dimakiling (Philippines), GM Richard Bitoon (Philippines), FM Yee Soon Wei (Brunei), Fong Yit San (Malaysia), Kamis Kamarunsalehin (Brunei)
FILIPINO International Master (IM) Kim Steven Yap finished in a tie for fourth place at Thursday’s conclusion of the Brunei Campomanes Memorial Grandmaster Open Chess Championships 2012.
Article continues after this advertisementThe Cebuano ace defeated compatriot IM Oliver Dimakiling of Davao City in the 9th and final round using the advantageous white pieces to raise his total to 6.0 points on four wins, one loss and four draws.
Article continues after this advertisementHowever, the son of Singapore-based International Arbiter/Fide Instructor Linky Yap failed to get his first Grandmaster (GM) norm.
Also with 6.0 points are GMs Tahir Vakhidov of Uzbekistan, GM Jha Sriram of India, GM Nguyen Anh Dung of Vietnam and Yeoh Li Tian of Malaysia.
Meanwhile, GM Marat Dzhumaev of Uzbekistan defeated former solo leader FM Pitra Andika of Indonesia in the final round to tally 6.5 points and bag the title after a higher tie break points over 2nd placer IM Jakhongir Vakhidov of Uzbekistan and 3rd placer FM Andika.
The other Filipinos who competed in the $10,000 tournament held to honor and commemorate the late FIDE honorary president Filipino Florencio “Pocamps” Campomanes are GM Oliver Barbosa (5.5 pts), FM Mari Joseph Turqueza (5.5 pts.), IM Oliver Dimakiling (5.0 pts.) and GM Richard Bitoon (5.0 pts.)
Their trip to Brunei was backed by National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) under chairman/president Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr., Cebuano chess patron Boogie Lim of Rose Pharmacy, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).