GOLDEN GRANDMASTER: Frayna seizes 31st Abu Dhabi tilt, pockets new Philippine chess milestone

Janelle Mae Frayna carved her legacy in gold, showcasing her consistent mastery on the board, Frayna toppled the ladies blitz section with a flawless eight-point score to capture the 31st Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival title in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The country’s first female grandmaster unleashed her A-game as she scorched through the nine-round event, winning the first seven games to build momentum towards the latter stages of the event. Shifting the gears in the right moment, the 27-year-old Bicolana settled for two strategic draws, including the title-clinching draw against Uzbek IM Gulrukbegim Tokhirjojova to put herself in the driver’s seat, dominating 120 opponents from 24 countries in the said tournament. Frayna expressed her gratitude towards her friends for the constant support during the competition, acting as fuel in achieving her scintillating performance despite the hardships she encountered. “This is my first time playing in the Abu Dhabi Chess Festival. Thank you to our Pinoy friends who made us feel at home,” said Parayna. “It’s one tough tournament, but I surely gave my best,” added the Pinay prodigy. A trailblazer in Philippine chess, Frayna was recognized as the nation’s first Women Grandmaster (WMG) in 2017 while adding two Southeast Asian (SEA) Games bronze medals during her stint in Vietnam on the women’s rapid and individual blitz events. She is also a Far Eastern University (FEU) alumna, competing for the chess varsity team and was recognized as the UAAP Season 87 Athlete of the Year. With her recent Abu Dhabi triumph marking yet another historic milestone in her professional career, Frayna has cemented her place as the Philippine’s paragon in numerous international chess contests and tournaments.