FILIPINO Woman Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna accomplished another milestone recently, going unbeaten on the way to ruling the ladies blitz event of the 31st Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, the Iloilo-based Daily Guardian newspaper reported on its Facebook page.
Ranged against a banner field of 120 entries from 24 countries, Frayna finished with a total of eight points from seven wins and two draws, capping her campaign with a final-round draw against Uzbek International Master Gulrukhbegim Tokhirjonova.
The National Chess Federation of the Philippines paid tribute to the chess player for her “grit and brilliance” in rising to the top of the competition.
An Army woman, the Bicol-born Frayna, 29, bagged her WGM title in 2017 and has been the country’s standard-bearer in numerous international meets in regional, Asian and global levels.
A protégé of Grandmaster and NCFP executive director Jayson Gonzales, the chess player won a bronze each in the women’s individual rapid and blitz events of the 2021 Vietnam Southeast Asian Games.
