Chessers back in Top 15

MANILA, Philippines — Woman International Master Jan Jodilyn Fronda-Grafil bested Sayumi Halangoda on fourth board to fuel the Philippines’ 3-1 victory over Sri Lanka that vaulted it back into the top 15 after four rounds of the 46th World Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan Saturday night.

Also prevailing were Woman Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna and WIM Ruelle Canino in second and third boards while the lone casualty of the day was Mhage Sebastian, who lost her way in the end game and succumbed to WIM Davindya Oshini Gunawardhana on top board.

The Filipinas have zoomed to 13th spot alongside 38 other countries with identical six match points.

In the men’s section, the Filipinos flattened the United Arab Emirates, 4-0, to barge into the top 20 also with six match points.