Frayna loses to Indonesian foe in Jakarta tiff

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines’ Woman Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna fell to Indonesia’s WGM Warda Aulia Medina, 1.5-3.5, in the JAPFA WGM Duel Match that concluded over the weekend at the Youth and Sports Ministry in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Medina, who has a higher Elo rating of 2366 compared to her foes’ 2241, won the first game as white, drew the second, took another win in the third before clinching the five-game showdown between the two 21-year-old WGMs by splitting the point with Frayna in the fourth.

The non-bearing fifth and final game ended up in a draw.

Frayna flew back home and has set her sights at competing in the Asian Continental and Women’s Open Championships scheduled Dec. 9-19 at the Tiara Hotel in Makati City where she has a chance to meet Medina again and somehow avenge her defeat.

The winner of the women’s division there will clinch the lone slot to the Women’s World Championship, which is a knockout tournament similar to the men’s World Cup.

It will also serve as one of the doorways to the next women’s world championship cycle where Frayna hopes to qualify.