At A Glance
- The Woman Grandmaster was on the verge of defeat, but managed to overcome Mendoza after 29 moves of their Slav duel for the needed victory in this 15-round tournament.
WGM Janelle Mae Frayna
Janelle Mae Frayna escaped from the jaws of defeat against Shania Mae Mendoza in the 14th and penultimate round to secure an Olympiad spot and move on the cusp of ruling the Philippine National Women’s Chess Championship in Malolos, Bulacan on Tuesday, Feb. 10.
The Woman Grandmaster was on the verge of defeat, but managed to overcome Mendoza after 29 moves of their Slav duel for the needed victory in this 15-round tournament.
It allowed Frayna to improve to 11 points and capture the first of the three berths to this September’s World Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
She only needed a draw in the final round against Bernadette Galas being held at press time, to clinch the title -- her fourth after reigning supreme in 2013, 2016 and 2021.
A full point behind was Ruelle Canino, who survived the upset axe of Vic Derotas and escaped with a 41-move standoff of a King’s Indian Defense.
Also chasing a slot to Samarkand were Jan Jodilyn Fronda and Galas, who drew their respective matches to hike their total to 9.5 points, or just half a point behind Canino.
Fronda split the point with Maria Lavandero in 52 moves of a Center-Counter game while Galas drew with Allaney Jia Doroy also in 52 moves of an English Opening to keep their Olympiad hopes alive in this meet backed by host city Mayor Christian Natividad and the Philippine Sports Commission.