By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Janelle Mae Frayna ruled the Philippine National Women’s Chess Championship and led two others – Ruelle Canino and Jan Jodilyn Fronda – to the World Chess Olympiad on Wednesday, Feb. 11, in Malolos, Bulacan.
Frayna, the country’s first and only Woman Grandmaster, settled for a quick 15-move draw against Bernadette Galas via the Petroff Defense in the 15th and final round to finish on top with 11.5 points in the tournament supported by Mayor Christian Natividad and the Philippine Sports Commission.
It marked Frayna’s fourth national title after her previous triumphs in 2013, 2016 and 2021.
The triumph also earned him a trophy and the P100,000 top prize.
The Army woman from Bicol had actually clinched the crown in the 14th round and also secured the first berth to the Olympiad set in September in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
The tournament will be Frayna’s seventh Olympiad appearance.
“Fourth time winning the National Women’s Chess Championships! Thank you to all my supporters… All glory to God!” Frayna posted on social media.
Canino, who topped the last edition held two years ago, split the point with Marie Antoinette Galas in 22 moves of a Queen’s Gambit Declined, to end up second with 10.5 points.
Fronda, for her part, halved the point with Queen Pamplona in 30 moves of a Center-Counter to finish third with Galas with 10 points apiece.
But Fronda took the podium and the last Olympiad ticket after tiebreak scores were applied.
Canino and Fronda pocketed P80,000 and P60,000, respectively, for their podium finishes.
It was a heartbreaker for Galas but she could still make the Olympiad team if she will be one of the two nominated by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines when it announces the final roster possibly a month from now.
