Frayna yields to Spanish IM

MANILA, Philippines — Woman Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna fell to Spain’s International Master Gargatagli Hipolito Asis in 39 moves of a Caro-Kann and thus yielded the lead after three rounds of the 41st Open International Barbera del Valles 2018 Chess Championship in Barbera de Valles, Spain Friday night.

The 22-year-old Frayna suffered a first loss after winning her first two games against Joshi Supriya of India and 10th seed GM Marius Manolache of Romania and dropped to a heavy 29-player group at 10th place with two points apiece.

Playing black, Frayna won a pawn in the opening but it gave Asis the initiative with a dangerous central pawn and a lasting advantage.

Frayna resigned knowing she would inevitably lose a rook.

Grandmaster Eugene Torre drew with Indian A. Ra. Harikrishnan to join the Frayna-led group of two-pointers.

Frayna was looking to bounce back as she was playing sixth seed IM Venkataraman Karthik of India at press time.