International Master Kim Steven Yap downed Grandmaster Timur Gareyev of the United States to gain a share of the lead after the third round of the Manny Pacquiao International Open dubbed as the 87th Kalilangan Chess Festival 2026 Open section being held at the Family Country Hotel in General Santos City on Tuesday.
The victory hiked Yap's output to 3.0 points as he joined Grandmaster Arkadij Naiditsch of Bulgaria and Grandmaster Novendra Priasmoro of Indonesia in the lead.
GM Naiditsch stopped giant killer FIDE Master David Elorta while GM Priasmoro toppled top seed GM Johan-Sebastian Christiansen of Norway.
"Purely luck," said the Cebu City based IM Yap, who brought down Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo in the first round then subdued Mark Zephan Bordios in the second round.
FM Elorta upset GM Vitaly Sivuk of Sweden in the second round.
Unheralded Alexis Emil Maribao, meantime split the point with compatriot GM Daniel Quizon to create a seven way tie in the group of 2.5 pointers that includes GM Quizon, GM Pa Iniyan of India, IM Chito Garma, GM Nguyen Duc Hoa of Vietnam, GM Li Min Peng of Switzerland, and GM Visakh N R of India.
"It was a tough match," said Maribao, who beat GM Susanto Megaranto of Indonesia in the first round then edged countryman IM Christian Gian Karlo Arca in the second round.
It shall be recalled that Maribao is a former standout of San Sebastian College-Recoletos during his College days under the watchful eye of multi-titled coach NM Homer Cunanan.
Organized by Pacman Chess Association, the five-day Standard (90 minutes plus 30 seconds increment time control format) backed up by former Senator Manny Pacquiao, offers 20,000 US dollars to the champion.
The tournament Director is Orly Ortega while Chief Arbiter IA James Infiesto is assisted by Deputy Chief Arbiter IA Michael Joseph Pagaran and FA Margie Narcilla.-Marlon Bernardino-
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