TOP seed WGM Janelle Mae Frayna made it three straight wins following a masterful victory over WNM Marian Calimbo in their eighth-round encounter to assume the solo lead in the 2021 National Women’s Chess Championship at the Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence (PACE) Bldg. in Quezon City.

Frayna, who made history by becoming the country’s first WGM in 2017, outduelled Calimbo in 46 moves of the Modern Defense to raise her record to six points on five wins, two draws and one loss in the 12-player tournament organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) in cooperation with the Chess Movement, Inc. and Barkadahan Para sa Bansa.

The 24-year-old pride of Legazpi, Albay also won over WFM Allaney Jia Doroy in the sixth round and Francois Marie Magpily in the seventh round.

Defending champion WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda settled for a draw with WFM Shania Mae Mendoza to remain in second place with 5.5 points on three wins and five draws.

Three players — WIM Kylen Mordido, WIM Marie Antoinette San Diego and Mendoza — share third to fifth places with 4.5 points.

Mordido bested WIM Bernadette Galas in 37 moves of the Sicilian, while San Diego halved the point with Francois Marie Magpili.

In the seventh round late Tuesday. Mendoza drew with Sadey, Galas split the point with Doroy and Mordido fell in upset to Lexie Grace Hernandez.

In solo sixth place with 4.5 points is Rinoa Mariel Sadey, who also drew her match against giant-killer Ruelle Canino.

At stake in the over-the-board tournament are trophies and a total of P135,000 in cash prizes, with the champion bringing home the lion’s share of P50,000.

The runner-up will pocket P30,000 and trophy, while the third placer will receive P15,000 and trophy.

The fourth placer will get P10,000, the fifth placer P7,000, the sixth placer P5,000 and the seventh to 12th placers P3,000.

The tournament is also supported by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

Standings after eight rounds:

6 points — J. Frayna
5.5 — J. Fronda
5 — K. Mordido. S, Mendoza, A. San Diego
4.5 — M. Sadey
3.5 – A.Doroy
3 — R. Canino, M. Magpily
2.5 — B. Galas
2 — L. Hernandez, M. Calimbo