Kim Steven Yap - International Master of Chess
Kim Steven Yap, known in the chess realm as kimstevenyap, carries the prestigious title of International Master bestowed by FIDE. This is no small feat—earning such a title means Kim has mastered the tricky art of anticipating the opponent’s moves and checkmating kings with astute precision, all while keeping a cool head (most of the time).
Since emerging on the chess scene, Kim has demonstrated a rollercoaster career, peppered with ups and downs, and enough tactical brilliance to leave spectators amazed. With an impressive peak rapid rating creeping over 2250 and blitz ratings flirting with the 2750 mark, Kim is the sort of player who can blitz through puzzles and opponents alike with nimble fingers and a sharp mind.
Despite some early years that looked more like a game of "oops, I did it again" (hello, 0 wins in 2012 rapid games), Kim turned it around spectacularly, cruising through winning streaks as long as 37 games! Talk about momentum! The current winning streak may be at zero, but anyone who's played Kim knows patience pays off—and the next hot streak is just around the corner.
And speaking of streaks, Kim doesn’t just win; they do so with style. Averaging over 70 moves per game before sealing the deal, Kim is the kind of player who dances through the middlegame, outmaneuvering opponents who dare to underestimate the tactical awareness that yields an 85.87% comeback rate. Want to capture a piece and think you have a free meal? Think again—Kim's 100% win rate after losing a piece tells a tale of resilience worthy of a Hollywood comeback movie.
Kim’s performance is well-rounded across time controls: from rapid to blitz to bullet, with especially formidable results in bullet chess (over 60% win rate!). It’s safe to say that Kim’s fingers probably move faster than the eye can follow, although the board might sometimes wonder, “Wait, what just happened?”
Off the board, Kim maintains a balanced psychological temperament with a tilt factor that’s considerably low for a player of this caliber, suggesting a Zen-like calm under fire (or at least a strong poker face when the chess gods are merciless).
Facing down nearly 6,000 games against a wide array of opponents, Kim has earned respect and admiration. Whether it’s a friendly rival or a fierce competitor, Kim’s adaptability and tactical brilliance shine through. Some opponents have found no mercy (looking at you, 'gravale' with a 100% win rate by Kim!), but that’s the nature of the beast on this checkered battlefield.
In short: Kim Steven Yap is a force to be reckoned with, commanding the chessboard with the prowess of a grandmaster and the wit of a trickster. So, if you ever find yourself squared off against Kim, don’t take your chances—this International Master has an arsenal of moves that would make even the toughest pawns tremble.
