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span class="inline inline-center">Yoseph Theolifus Taher - JP/Niken Prathivi

Yoseph Theolifus Taher of Indonesia is one step closer to earning the title of International Master (IM) after beating Grandmaster Laylo Darwin of the Philippines in the tenth round of the 3rd JAPFA ASEAN Chess Championships 2015.

'€œThis is my second norm for the International Master. I'€™m really happy about today,'€ Yoseph told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday after defeating the higher-rated player at Utut Adianto Chess School (SCUA) in Bekasi, West Java.

Attaining a certain number of norms, performance benchmarks in competitions including other titled players, is a requirement for a chess player seeking full title.

The victory gives him a total of 5.5 points, the minimal requirement for the norm.

Yoseph collected his first IM norm in 2013. He will need to collect a third norm to be granted the IM title.

Playing black and opting for a King'€™s Indian defense, Yoseph seemed to catch his opponent by surprise with a pawn to e4 move.

'€œHe seemed surprised with the move, which got him carried away. That was the very moment I started to dominate the game,'€ said the 16-year-old, looking all proud. He added that he had prepared intensely for the competition with his father using books and a computer.

Yoseph said he had hoped to secure the IM norm in the eighth round on Monday, but had failed as he ended the game in a draw against GM Garcia Jan Emmanuel of the Philippines.

'€œYesterday [Monday], my opponent was really prepared. I couldn'€™t break through. I got all tensed up,'€ said Yoseph, adding that he had been more relaxed in Tuesday'€™s game.

He has now collected three wins '€” over Darwin as well as compatriots IM Ali Muhammad Lutfi and IM Sean Winshand Taher, five draws with IM Bersamina Paulo of the Philippines, IM Nguyen Van Huy of Vietnam, IM Wynn Zaw Htun of Myanmar, GM Megaranto Susanto of Indonesia and Emmanuel and two losses to FIDE Master Nguyen Anh Khoi of Vietnam and FM Yeoh Li Tian of Malaysia.

For the last round on Wednesday, Yoseph is set to face GM Dao Thien Hai of Vietnam. Hai beat Sean in the tenth round.

'€œFor [Wednesday'€™s game], I'€™ll just do my best, as I also plan to achieve another win,'€ said the eleventh-grader.

Draws also concluded the matches between Htun and Khoi, Megaranto and Huy, Tian and Paulo, as well as Ali and Emmanuel.

In the women'€™s category, Woman Candidate Master Hisham Nur Ajha Azman of Malaysia won against Woman FIDE Master Citra Dewi Ardhiani Anastasia of Indonesia, Woman International Master Galas Bernadette of the Philippines won against WFM Dita Karenza of Indonesia, WIM Janelle Mae Frayna of the Philippines achieved a draw against compatriot Shania Mae Mendoza, who earned a WIM norm on Monday, and WIM Chelsie Monica Ignesia Sihite of Indonesia won against compatriot Amanda Suci Fitriyani. The other matches were still in progress.