THE UPHILL climb of Cebuano International Master (IM) Kim Steven Yap continued as he scored two wins in the Open division of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC)-Puregold International Chess Challenge last Thursday night in Metro Manila.
Yap won over Michael Gotel in the seventh round then defeated Roel Abelgas in the eighth to move from the 33rd spot to 20th with just two rounds left in the scheduled 10-round Swiss system format tournament.
Top-seed Grand Master (GM) Ivan Popov of Russia remained the leading wood pusher in the Open division with 6.5 points. He forced a draw with GM Avetik Grigoryan of Armenia in the seventh round then beat IM Haridas Pascua in the eighth.
Filipino GM John Paul Gomez leaped from the seventh spot to second after scoring an upset win against GM Grigoryan in the eighth. He also had a draw against GM Levan Pantsulaia of Georgia in the seventh round.
Gomez now has 6.0 points and is set to face GM Anton Demchenko of Russia in the ninth round, which was still being competed as of press time.
Demchenko was at third late Thursday with 6.0 points.
SEVILLANO IN TOP 10
Another Cebuano, Rhenzi Kyle Sevillano, meanwhile, also moved up after edging Prince Mark Aquino in the seventh round and forcing a draw with Chester Caminong in the eighth to climb up from 16th to 9th in the Challenger division.
Kelly Rancap remained the top player in the division after scoring 7.5 points followed by Kevin Mirano at second spot with 7.0 points. Macapagal Paguital is at third with 6.5 points.