MANILA, Philippines — Janelle Mae Frayna tries to cement her status as perhaps the greatest Filipina chess player ever as she begins her title-retention bid in the Philippine National Women’s Chess Championship today at the PACE in Quezon City.
The country’s first and only Woman GM asserted her dominance last year and is expected to rule the nine-day tournament once more. At stake is a cash pot of P140,000 with P50,000 going to the winner courtesy of presentor Nova Wellness Center owned by Travis Vincent Chua.
“I’m at my peak and the best condition of my life,” said the 25-year-old Southeast Asian Games silver medalist.
Frayna, however, has cautioned herself that she couldn’t take the opposition for granted.
“I expect it to be tough,” said Frayna.