Mordido faces acid test against Frayna

MANILA, Philippines — Kylen Joy Mordido isn’t being groomed to become the country’s next Woman Grandmaster for nothing.

The 19-year-old Mordido showed flashes of brilliance as she smashed Ruelle Canino in 37 moves in a King’s Indian duel to leapfrog to the top of the 2021 Philippine National Women’s Chess Championship.

A third and final norm away from earning the WGM title, Canino is within reach of that goal as evidenced by her performance in this tournament where she shares the lead with former national champion Jan Jodilyn Fronda after four rounds.

Fronda, winner of the 2019 edition, stayed on top alongside Mordido with three points apiece by blasting Francois Marie Magpily in 46 moves of a French Defense.

“One of my dreams is to become a WGM,” said Mordido, whose true worth will be tested when she faces the country’s first and only Woman GM in Janelle Mae Frayna in the fifth round.