Malolos city: Janelle Mae Frayna settled for a draw against teener Kate Ordizo after 35 moves of a Gruenfeld to stay on top of the Philippine National Women's Chess Championship in Malolos City, Bulacan Tuesday. The 29-year-old Frayna hiked her total to 10 points, or just half a point ahead of Ruelle Canino, who likewise drew her match against Apple Rubin in 62 moves of a Sicilian Defense with two rounds left in this event bankrolled by Mayor Christian Natividad and the Philippine Sports Commission.
According to Philippines News Agency, Jan Jodilyn Fronda and Bernadette Galas won their respective matches to share third place with nine points each. Fronda used her queenside passed pawn to prevail over Bonjoure Suyamin in 86 moves, while Galas made the most out of her pawn advantage to turn back Mhage Sebastian in 64 moves in a pair of razor-sharp Sicilian duels.
Allaney Jia Doroy, who shocked Olympiad mainstay Shania Mae Mendoza in 86 moves of a Pirc, ranked fifth with eight points. The tournament, dubbed 'The Battle of Women's Masters', will select the three players going to the 46th World Chess Olympiad on Sept. 15 to 28 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
