Frayna grabs solo lead in 2013 Battle of the Grandmaster Chess Championships; Gomez stay on top after a draw

by Marlon Bernardino

JANELLE MAE FRAYNA  battled Jean Karen Enriquez to a draw  after  79 moves of  English Opening to assume solo lead after the fifth round of the 2013 Battle of the Grandmaster Chess Championships late Wednesday at the Philippine Sports Commission Conference Room, Administration Bldg., Vito Cruz, Manila.

Her overnight co-leader Woman International Master Beverly Mendoza failed to keep pace after losing to WIM Bernadette Galas after 38 moves of French defense.

"Talagang tabla po ang laban," said Frayna who hails from Legaspi City, Albay.

Frayna improved to 13.5 points while Mendoza was stuck at 12.0 points.

The event is using the Torre-Pichay scoring system, a method formulated by Torre and National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) president/chairman Prospero "Butch" Pichay, Jr. where a win is equivalent to three points, a draw is 1.5 points, a loss is zero, and a stalemate is 2.0 for the last player to make a move and 1.0 to the player who can no longer make a move.

Last year's champion WIM Catherine Perena outclassed WFM Jedara Docena, Lucelle  Bermundo  subdued Ynna   Sophia Canape, WFM Rulp Ylem Jose smashed Villa Mae Cabrera, Arvie Lozano crushed Gladys Hazelle Romero while WFM  Cherry Ann Mejia  split the  point  with  WFM Shania  Mae Mendoza in other results.

The tournament is  being organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), headed  by chairman/president Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr. and  secretary-general  Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino Jr., and supported by the Philippine Sports Commisison (PSC), headed by chairman  Ricardo "Richie" Garcia and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), at the helm is president Jose "Peping" Cojuangco.

NCFP  executive director  GM  Jayson  Gonzales  is  the   tournament director, while IA  Gene Poliarco is the chief arbiter. 

In the men's play, GM John Paul Gomez drew with 12-time national open champion GM Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. after 21 moves of Caro-Kann defense to remain on top with 13.5 points.

" Ok lamang ang draw para maipreserba natin ang ating lakas sa mga next crucial round. Mahaba pa naman eh," said GM Gomez.

Antonio, on the other hand, stayed in  second place  with 10.5 points on two wins and three draws. 

GM Richard Bitoon, meantime beat defending champion GM Mark Paragua after 37 moves of Sicilian defense to raised his score to nine points on  three wins and two losses.

" Draw lamang sana ang laban kaso nagkamali siya eh," said the Medellin, Cebu ace Bitoon.

"Na mental black ako, di ko napansin na mamamate ako. Nakatutok kasi ako na matehin din siya." said the Tondo, Manila born Paragua.

Also with nine points were US based GM Rogelio "Banjo" Barcenilla, GM Oliver Barbosa and IM Joel Pimentel.

Barcenilla halved the point with Pimentel after 84 moves of Queen's Gambit Accepted while Barbosa defeated IM Emmanuel Senador after 64 moves of Queen's Pawn Game.

The game between FM Jony Habla and IM Richilieu Salcedo III , GM Eugene Torre against National Master Narquinden Reyes and FM Roderick Nava opposite GM Darwin Laylo ended into a fighting draw.