Fronda banners Lomibao-Beltran Open chessfest

MANILA, Philippines — Woman International Master (WIM) Jan Jodilyn Fronda will vie in the Woman Fide Master (WFM) Sheerie Joy Lomibao-Beltran Women’s Open Chess Championship, which begins Saturday at the Open Kitchen food hall of the Rockwell Business Center in Mandaluyong City.

The three-time UAAP “Best Player” awardee and former De La Salle top player will be pitted against those who won the gold in the demo sport of problem solving in the 30th SEA Games. They include WIMs Catherine Pereña Secopito and Bernadette Galas, Woman Fide Masters Cherry Ann Mejia, Allaney Jia Doroy and Samantha Glo Revita, and Woman National Masters Carmelita Abanes and Francois Marie Magpily.

“I’m excited to play again. I’m ready for the challenge,” said Fronda, who became the the new national women’s chess champion last September.

Fronda also emerged as the top Filipino performer in the 17th Asian Continental Chess Championships-Manny Pacquiao Cup at the last year.

 “This field is very competitive,” she said.

The event will be hosted by China Aurelio and Mimi Casas of Open Kitchen and backed up by Woman Fide Master Lomibao-Beltran in close cooperation with Dr. Alfred Paez, Joel Pineda, Ryan Lopez Sauz and Byron Gabrentina Villar. It offers a top purse of P10,000 and a trophy plus a brand-new Michael Kors watch.

The top 20 players will receive prizes.

Bannering the non-master challenge are Enrica Villa, Alexis Anne Asena, Manilyn Cabungcag, Rinoa Mariel and Chessica Fiona Sadey, Brena Mae and Merlene Membrere, Shaira Mae, Shanaia Marie and Stella Theresa Aquino, Mariel Batulan-Romero, Jade Santos, Camille Pasiderio, Heart Padilla, Jade Santos, Jocelyn Tuibuen Berago, Arlyn Victorio, Kristine Mae and Yvy Shane Bolanos, Majah Flores, Danielle Maegan Lopez, Precious Nicole Lasin, Mary Grace Layan, Joellyn Pineda, Maria Luz Morada, Alanice Nichole Miranda, Gemma Condes-Alcodia, Mary Israel Palero-Segarra, Tara Jade Aurelio-Dableo and Mary Grace Telebrico-Litao.

Registration is ongoing. Call or text tournament manager Genghis Imperial at 09262514205.