Frayna gets going, gains share of lead

MANILA, Philippines, December 22 ------ A wakeup call in the opening round proved to be all Janelle Mae Frayna needed to get it going. The Woman Grandmaster waylaid Allaney Jia Doroy in 91 moves of an English Opening yesterday to join the leaders after six rounds of the 2021 Philippine National Women’s Chess Championship at the PACE in Quezon City.

It was the top-seeded 24-year-old Frayna’s third win after being upset by 13-year-old sensation Ruelle Canino in the first round. The Army woman from Camarines Sur also has had two draws, allowing her to zoom to the top alongside Kylen Joy Mordido, Marie Antoinette San Diego, Shania Mae Mendoza and Jan Jodilyn Fronda with four points each.

Frayna was facing lower-ranked Francois Marie Magpily in the seventh round at press time. “That loss was a wakeup call,” said Frayna of his defeat to Canino. Mordido is seeking the last of three norms to become the country’s second WGM after Frayna.

Source: philstar.com