Janelle Mae Frayna, Jayson Gonzales bounce back

MANILA, Philippines — Woman Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna and GM Jayson Gonzales downed Om Manish Kadam of India and Daniel Romero Pallares of Spain, respectively, to wheel back into contention after five rounds of the XX Obert Internacional Sant Marti 2018 in Barcelona, Spain Tuesday night.

The victories hiked Frayna and Gonzales’ outputs to 3.5 points for joint 12th with 13 others, including compatriot International Master John Marvin Miciano, who fell to Peruvian GM Jaime Alexander Cuartas in 45 moves of a Pirc Defense.

The troika stood a full point behind a four-man lead group headed by top seed GM Gadir Guseinov of Azerbaijan, who posted 4.5 points each, halfway through the tournament.

Frayna, Gonzales and Miciano were playing fifth seed GM Rosell Alvar Alonso of Spain, Indian Katiyar Deepak and Spaniard FIDE Master Daniel Navarro Lopez-Menchero at presstime.

Frayna is on her second of a six-tournament, 51-day European campaign aiming to gain GM norms or outright title. She’s also eyeing to breach the 2500-rating level for a crack at the women’s top 10 world rankings.

Frayna is supported by the Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine STAR president and chief executive officer Miguel Belmonte.