Ozamiz city: Filipino Woman Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna defeated Mongolian Batpelden Buyankhishig in a 38-move Reti duel during the fifth round of the 6th ASEAN Individual Chess Championships-Gov. Henry Oaminal Cup at Misamis Occidental Resort and Aquamarine Park.

According to Philippines News Agency, the victory advanced Frayna to the second spot, accumulating four points and tying with Vietnamese WGMs Nguyen Thi Mai Hung and Hoang Thi Bao Tram, who both drew after 18 moves of a London System. Russian IM Evgenija Ovod is leading by half a point after defeating Vietnamese WGM Nguyen Thi Thanh An in 42 moves of a Caro-Kann Defense.

Frayna expressed confidence in her performance, stating, “I had an advantage early and grabbed the opportunity when I saw one.” She was facing Hoang in the sixth round at the time of reporting.

In other news, reigning national champion Ruelle Canino from Cagayan de Oro surprised top seed Anna Zhurova of Russia, winning in 41 moves of a Nimzo-Indian encounter, bringing her total to 3.5 points. She shares the fifth spot with Indonesian WIM Laysa Latifah and Russian Ekaterina Smirnova.

In the men’s division, Filipinos Paul Bersamina and Christian Gian Karlo Arca led a group of four players who overcame their opponents to claim third place, trailing by half a point behind co-leaders Mongolian IM Munkhdalai Amilal and Indian IM V S Raahul. Bersamina defeated Vietnamese FM Dinh Nho Kiet in 25 moves of the Sicilian Defense, while Arca triumphed over compatriot GM Darwin Laylo in 57 moves of a Reti, both securing 3.5 points. Joining them with 3.5 points are Filipinos IMs Kim Steven Yap and Jem Garcia, who drew in 27 moves of a Scotch.