DEFENDING champion WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda and WGM-candidate Kylen Joy Mordido battled to a draw to keep a share of the lead after two rounds in the 2021 National Women’s Chess Championship at the Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence (PACE) in Mindanao Ave., Quezon City.

Fronda, who defeated Lexie Grace Hernandez in 51 moves of the Caro-Kann in the first round, and Mordido, who subdued Rinoa Mariel Sadey in 38 moves of the Sicilian, have 1. 5 points in a tie with WIM Marie Antoinette San Diego and WIM Shania Mae Mendoza in the 12-player tournament organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines in cooperation with Chess Movement, Inc. and Barkadahan Para sa Bansa.

San Diego and Mendoza agreed to a draw in 31 moves of the Slav in their opening-day match before winning over upset-conscious Ruelle Canino and Hernandez the following round, respectively.

Top seed WGM Janelle Mae Frayna bested WIM Bernadette Galas to bounce back into contention.

Frayna, the highest-rated player in the tournament with an ELO of 2190, fell in shock defeat to Canino in marathon 96 moves of the Jobava System of the London Opening late Saturday.

The 13-year-old Canino, however, failed to duplicate her success when she bowed to Mendoza.

Sadey also redeemed herself from the loss to Fronda by edging WFM Allaney Jia Doroy.

Galas and WNM Francois Marie Magpily also settled for a draw after 32 moves of the Ruy Lopez game in another first-round encounter.

The 12th player in the field, Marian Calimbo, failed to arrive after her flight from Cebu was rescheudled to bad weather in Cebu.

Calimbo, the 18-year-old student of University of San Jose-Recoleto, was scheduled to play Doroy in the first round and Magpily in the second round.

At stake in the tournament in the six-day competition is the top prize of P50,000 and a berth to the Philippine team competing in the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam next year.

This is the fourth straight over-the-board competitions being organized by the NCFP after the National Boys and National Girls Championships also held at PACE and the National Chess Championship held in Mactan Island, Cebu.

Also supporting the four events are the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), headed by Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez, Chess Movement, Inc. headed by Dr. Ariel Potot, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, led by Chairperson Royina Garma.

Standings after two rounds:

1.5 points — J. Fronda, K.Mordido, A. San Diego, S. Mendoza
1 — J. Frayna, M. Sadey, R. Canino
.5 — B. Galas, F. Magpily
0 — L. Hernandez, A. Doroy
x — M. Calimbo

AUTHOR PROFILE

Ed Andaya