Frayna draws Barcenilla; Garcia leads

MANILA, Philippines — Rising star Janelle Mae Frayna barely missed including Grandmaster Rogelio Barcenilla to her list of victims Monday night, settling for a draw and dropping behind International Master Jan Emmanuel Garcia in the 2014 Battle of Grandmasters at Philippine Sports Commission Athletes Dining Hall.

Despite playing black, newly minted Woman International Master Frayna held positional and material advantage, only to miss the killer move that allowed Barcenilla to escape the upset axe by perpetual check after 44 moves of an English Opening.

A standout of Ateneo de Manila, Garcia handed GM Joey Antonio a second straight setback in 48 moves of a Berlin Defense and grabbed top spot after five rounds (12.0 points).

Erstwhile co-leader GM Eugene Torre stalemated IM Joel Pimentel and was at 11.0 points, towing Frayna, IM John Paul Bersamina and GM John Paul Gomez with 10.5 each in the 11-round event organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines.

Bersamina beat GM Richard Bitoon in 50 moves of another English while Gomez downed National Master Roel Abelgas in 40 moves of a Gruenfeld Defense Still, it was Frayna, a shoo-in to the Philippine women’s team in the coming Tromso Chess Olympiad, who earned raves because she was the lone female and the lowest rated (Elo 2133) in the Open division.

A BS psychology student at Far Easten U, Frayna is also in the running for cum laude honors, according to her longtime coach and NCFP executive director GM Jayson Gonzales.

In the women’s division, WFM Cherry Ann Mejia bested Gladys Hazelle Romero in a Queen’s Gambit Accepted to pace the field with 12.0 points.

Woman National Master Christy Bernales and WIM Catherine Perena shared second place with 10.5 points each.