Woman International Master Janelle Mae Frayna stunned defending champion Eugene Torre in the third round late Sunday to gain a share of the lead in the 2015 Battle of Grandmasters-National Chess Championship at Philippine Sports Commission inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila.
The 19-year old Frayna, a graduating psychology student at Far Eastern U, forced Torre, Asiaís first GM, to resign after 67 moves of their Catalan encounter and catch up with GM Richard Bitoon, GM-elect Haridas Pascua and Jerad Docena at the top of the Open division.
They have 4.0 points each under the Match Point scoring system where a win is assigned two points, a draw 1 point and a loss 0 point.
Frayna, who also shocked Bitoon and GM Rogelio Antonio in last yearís edition, needs to score six points to clinch her third and final WGM norm.
Pascua, who only needs to raise his ELo 2452 to 2500 to be bestowed the GM title, bested Antonio after 43 moves of their Sicilian game.
Docena, on the other hand, beat National Master Roel Abelgas.
The loss dropped Antonio into solo fifth with 3 points, while Torre stayed with 2.0 points along with Turqueza, GM Darwin Laylo, IM Paolo Bersamina, who yielded to Bitoon, and Abelgas.
In the womenís side, defending champion WIM Catherine Perena-Secopito bowed to fellow WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda, who surged on top with 5 points.
Standings after three rounds (Match Point System) Open Division: 4.0 pointsóBitoon, Frayna, Pascua, Docena; 3.0óAntonio; 2.0ó Turqueza, Laylo, Torre, Abelgas; 1.0óGomez; Women: 5.0óFronda; 4.0óSan Diego, Mendoza, Lozano; 3.0óPerena-Secopito, 2.0óEnriquez, Bernales, Suede 2; 1.0óPineda, Membrere