WOMEN’S chess is on the rise, and WGM Janelle Mae Frayna couldn’t be happier.

In fact, Frayna — who made history by becoming the country’s first woman grandmaster in 2016 — is willing to lend a helping hand and discover more female champions in the coming years.

“Like in other sports, we need.more new heroes in women’s chess. Let’s find them and let’s train them,” said Frayna during the 43rd “Sports on Air” program via Zoom.

“We’re very happy there’s more women’s tournaments now, especially in the grassroots, thru the NCFP (National Chess Federation of the Philippines) and PSC (Philippine Sports Commission),” added Frayna, now the “Face of Philippine chess.”

“Kailangan talaga tuloy-tuloy ang mga tournaments para mas madami tayong mahikayat na mga female players na maglaro ng chess, lalo na sa mga age groups.”

A three-time Philippine women’s chess champion, Frayna rose to superstardom when she became the country’s first-ever WGM during the 42nd Chess Olympiad held from September 1-16, 2016 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Six years later, Frayna is still the country’s one and only.

The 25-year-old pride of Legazpi,Albay believes there are many talented Filipino players who can follow her footsteps given the proper training and exposure.

“I’m actually surprised that I’m still the only WGM in the country. I earned my title in 2016 and the FIDE Presidential Board confirmed it in a written resolution in early 2017. Pero wala pang kasunod kahit alam nating madami tayong magagaling na female players,” added Frayna, also the PSA “Player of the Year” for 2016.

“I think kailangan talagang mas dalasan ang tournaments sa women’s, lalo sa mga grassroots. As you can observe, konti lang ang sumasali na mga babae kesa lalaki pagdating sa chess tournaments. Dapat may inclusion ang mga babae sa maraming tournaments. Isa siguro yun sa mga kailangan nating gawin.”

Asked for her advise to young players who want to follow her footsteps, Frayna spelled out one word: commitment.

“For me ang pinakamahalaga yun commitment ng player. Kung pinili mong mag-chess, tuloy-tuloy lang. Laban lang,”stressed Frayna.

“Sa babae, our time is limited. I’m not sure kung ako lang nakakaramdam but i guess some of my national teammates feel the same. We’re getting older. Sa lalaki, they can still play competitive chess even when they reached 50. Sa babae, iba. The only female player na nakita ko na over 50 years old but still very good i Pia Cramling. Statistically, bihira yung umaabot sa ganun.”

“Kaya para sa sa akin, let’start early. Dapat magsimula sa talagang grassroots, para dun pa lang, alam na yung commitment to play chess. At least kung 8 years old ka, nag-start ka na mangarap at mag-training. Maybe in 5 years time or 13 years old ka, bata ka pa rin go try to excel.”

Frayna claimed online tournaments are another good way of encouraging more people to play chess, esoecially the youth

“Wala namang duda na online chess is good for the promotion of the game. Even (world champion Magns) Carlsen and other top players naglalaro sila sa mga cash-rich online tournaments. So maganda din. Mas accessible, mas madali, mas tipid nga ang online tournaments dahil internet lang at makakapaglaro ka na, lalo kung manggagaling ka sa mga provinces ar kailangan pa mag-travel.”

Frayna, however, said the are also disadvantages in online chess compared to over-the-board competitions.

“But of course, iba pa din ng face-to-face na may human interaction talaga. It is a lot different. Even nga sa mga classes, we want blended learning now. Yung iba gusto nila online, yun iba face-to-face,” claimed Frayna.

“For me, hindi pwede mawala yung face-to-face tournament kasi iba yung pag-absorb mo ng knowledge kapag nakikita mo ang teacher or mentor mo. Ganun din sa chess in general.if meron isang sports na talagang masasabi mong close sa academic, yung principles ng learnings sa academics, chess yun. Natututo kami through chess books and practice tournaments, which you can relate sa academics or studies:”

“If you ask me, there should be a balance between online and face-to-face chess. Let’s admit na changing times na tayo. Totoo naman. Siguro 80 percent of the people lalo na kabataan naka-hook sa internet. So for promotion, kailangan talaga natin online chess.”

Frayna admitted funding remains a major concern for female players.

“One of the biggest worries naming mga players is the budget. Sa national team, swerte hindi talaga kami pinababayaan ng PSC, especially sa allowances and other expenses. I am also part of Philippine Army, na very supportive. Pero yun iba may problema, lalo na kung kailangan talagang magbuhos ka ng oras sa training. Yun iba, may pamilya ding iniisip habang nagkaka-edad. Sa totoo lang, it is very expensive kahit yung pagsali sa mga tournaments.”

“Yun may mga sponsors naman, kapag hindi naging maganda ang performance sa isang tournament hindi na nakaka-ulit.”.

“Sabi nga ni coach Jayson, kilangan talaga may plano, may extra source of finances. Yun thinking mo, hindi lang pang short term kundi pang-matagalan.”

“Personally, kahit ako na WGM nahihirapan maka 4-5 international tournaments a year. What more kung sa mga striving players pa lang.

Pare-pareho.kami na iniisip yun funding. So we have to be resourceful talaga para makapag-compete lalo na sa mga malalaking FIDE-rated tournaments.
with reports from Gab Ferreras