Frayna closer to regaining national title

MANILA, Philippines — Janelle Mae Frayna continued to inch closer to reclaiming the Philippine National Women’s Chess Championship crown as she drew with Kate Ordizo yesterday to firm up her grip of the solo lead with two rounds to go in Malolos, Bulacan.

Frayna, the country’s first and only Woman Grandmaster, found a tough customer in 18-year-old Kate Ordizo and decided to draw their Gruenfeld duel in 35 moves rather than risk ending up on the defensive against the latter’s better pawn formation.

The result kept Frayna unflappable at No. 1 with 10 points and closer to reclaiming the crown she last won five years ago.

She went for it in the last edition two years ago but ended up third in the event topped by teenage sensation Ruelle Canino, a Woman International Master who came out of nowhere to capture the crown and become one of the youngest to accomplish such a feat.

Interestingly, Canino lurked behind the shadow of Frayna again as the 18-year-old Cagayan de Oro native kept eerily close with 9.5 points after halving the point with Apple Rubin in 62 moves of Sicilian.