INTERNATIONAL Master (IM) Kim Steven Yap will be competing in a series of chess competitions in the United States (US) in his pursuit to earn his Grand Master (GM) norm.
The 29-year old Cebuano, who is the head coach of the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters Chess Team, will be leaving Cebu on June 4 to kick off his three-month campaign in various chess tournaments in the US.
IM Yap has a standard rating of 2,363 points while his blitz rating is 2,396 and 2,418 points for his rapid rating.
In order to earn the GM title for IM Yap, he has to reach a rating of 2,700.
The Continental Chess Association (CCA), a Pelham, New York-based chess association formally handed over IM Yap an invitation to compete in eight different chess tournaments that will start on June 15 until August 26.
IM Yap, who last competed last January in the Pyroworks Handicapping Open Chess Tournament” at the Robinsons Galleria Cebu, will start his campaign with a tournament in Falls Church Virginia, on June 15 to 17.