In a shocking start, the youthful Woman National Master Ruelle "Tawing" Canino defeated the country’s first and only Woman Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna in the Philippine National Women Chess Championship 2021 Grandfinals at the Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence (PACE) headquarters in No.56 Mindanao Avenue, Quezon City on Saturday.
Handling white, Canino, a Grade 8 pupil of FEU Fern in Quezon City needed 96 moves to force the resignation of the top seeded 24 year old Frayna in their London Opening, Jobava System encounter.
“I hope to perform well in this event and gain some elo rating points,” said the 13-year-old Canino who hails from Cagayan de Oro City.
National Chess Federation of the Philippines Chief Operating Officer GM Jayson Gonzales had something to say about the intense game of Canino and Frayna.
"Although nagkamali si Janelle instead of Bh6 she should play Rf8 to have an advantage. Janelle wants to win in an equal position or she has a tiny advantage but difficult to win. Until she over pressed allowing Ruelle to punch a counter play in the queen side by moving Qa5 which turns the table and win the game." said National Chess Federation of the Philippines Chief Operating Officer GM Jayson Gonzales.
"Now we have a new upcoming Woman Grandmaster - WNM Ruelle Canino," added GM Gonzales.
The other veteran reigning National Women Champion Woman International Master Jan Jodilyn Fronda took a different route as she defeated the much younger Woman National Master Lexie Grace Hernandez in 51 moves of Caro-Kann defense while Woman Internationa Master Kylene Joy Mordido toppled Woman National Master Mariel Sadey Rinoa in 37 moves of Sicilian defense.
Other matches saw Woman International Master Bernadette Galas drew with Woman National Master Francois Marie Magpily in 32 moves of Ruy Lopez Opening, as well as Woman International Master Marie Antoinette San Diego opposite Woman Fide Master Shanie Mae Mendoza in 31 moves of Slav defense.
However, the game between Woman Fide Master Allaney Jia Doroy and Marian Calimbo force to re-schedule after the latter's (Calimbo) was stranded in Mactan (Cebu) International Airport due to Typhoon Odette who struck some part of Visayas and Mindanao region.
Calimbo will arrive on Sunday evening.
Earlier, Asia's First Grandmaster Eugene Torre and Woman Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna, made the ceremonial fits bump kicking off the weeklong tournament also graced by National Chess Federation of the Philippines Chief Operating Officer GM Jayson Gonzales.
A cash pot worth P135,000 plus a slot to next year’s Hanoi Southeast Asian Games will be up for grabs in the 12-player field staking P50,000 to the champion, P30,000 and P15,000 for the second and third placers, respectively, plus trophies.
The event is backed by PSC chair Butch Ramirez, Chess Movement, Inc. chair Dr. Ariel Potot, PCSO general manager Royina Garma, Endgame Sports founder Atty. Cris Aspiras, POC president Bambol Tolentino, NCFP chief Butch Pichay and Atty. Roel Canobas.-Marlon Bernardino-
Photo shows Asia's First Grandmaster Eugene Torre fist bump with Woman Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna to usher the start of the Philippine National Women Chess Championship 2021 Grandfinals at the Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence (PACE) headquarters in No.56 Mindanao Avenue, Quezon City on Saturday. (Photo from NCFP)
Photo shows Woman National Master Ruelle "Tawing" Canino fist bump with Woman Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna to usher the start of the Philippine National Women Chess Championship 2021 Grandfinals at the Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence (PACE) headquarters in No.56 Mindanao Avenue, Quezon City on Saturday. (Photo from NCFP)