Frayna, Canino still in mix

MANILA, Philippines — Janelle Mae Frayna flexed her muscle against youthful Mongolian Batpelden Buyankhishig and hacked out a masterful 38-move victory of Reti encounter to remain in the title hunt in 6th ASEAN Individual Chess Championships-Gov. Henry Oaminal Cup at the Misamis Occidental Resort and Aquamarine Park in Ozamiz.

The country’s one and only Woman Grandmaster was quick to the draw, seizing the edge and the initiative in unleashing a vicious kingside attack that saw her sacrifice a queen to win a piece.

It was the enlisted Army personnel’s fourth point, half a point behind solo No. 1 IM Evgenija Ovod of Russia, who crushed Vietnamese WGM Nguyen Thi Thanh An’s Caro-Kann Defense in 42 moves.

Frayna also caught up with fellow WGMs Nguyen Thi Mai Hung and Hoang Thi Bao Tram of Vietnam, who decided to play it safe and split the point in 18 moves of a quiet London duel.

“When I saw the winning queen sacrifice, I didn’t hesitate and went for it because I knew I would be a piece up,” said the 28-year-old Albay native.

Trailing Frayna by half point was her student, 17-year-old Ruelle Canino, who eked out an upset draw with top seed Anna Zhurova of Russia.