WOMAN Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna — JANELLE FRAYNA FB

WOMAN Grandmaster (GM) Janelle Mae Frayna is the undisputed Philippine chess champion.

Ms. Frayna walloped Woman International Master (IM) Marie Antoinette San Diego, 3.5-1.5, in the rapid finals to complete a chess grand slam in the Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) national team selection at the PACE in Quezon City over the weekend.

It was a dominating performance for the 24-year-old Army woman, who ruled the national standard event in December last year and the blitz division on Thursday to earn the right to represent the country in all three chess disciplines in the Hanoi Games set on May 12-13.

Based on the International Chess Federation (FIDE) website, there will be 10 events to be played in Hanoi — men and women individual standard, and men and women individual and team rapid and blitz.

Ms. Frayna said she is gunning for nothing less than a podium finish in any of the events she’s entering.

“The goal for me remains the same, it is to win a medal in the SEA Games,” said Ms. Frayna.

In the men’s side, it will be IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia who will represent the country in rapid after he turned back GM Darwin Laylo, 4-2.

IM Daniel Quizon ruled the standard event in Mactan, Cebu in December last year and blitz on Thursday.

National Chess Federation of the Philippines chief operating officer GM Jayson Gonzales said they will decide on who will play as alternates in the team event anytime soon. — Joey Villar

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