WOMAN Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna turned what appeared as a drawish game into a morale-boosting victory as the Philippines repulsed higher-rated Slovenia 2.5-1.5 in the eighth round Saturday to boost its chances in the 44th World Chess Olympiad in Chennai, India.
Frayna pounced on a blunder by the time-pressured International Master Laura Unuk to win in 66 moves of their English duel on board one.
The win enabled the Filipinas to climb into a 10-nation tie at 17th with 11 match points.
WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda delivered the other win over WIM Zala Urh on board two while WIM Kylen Joy Mordido split the point with WIM Teja Vidic on the fourth and last board to complete the stunning result.
The GM Jayson Gonzales-coached team, like the men’s squad backed by the Philippine Sports Commission, was battling a powerhouse Hungary squad in the ninth round at press time hoping for another upset win.
Woman FIDE Master Shania Mae Mendoza was reinserted into the roster in San Diego’s place.
The men’s team tried but failed to pull off another upset victory against the fancied Greeks in 2.5-1.5 loss that was sealed by GM Banjo Barcenilla’s stinging setback to GM Nikolaos Theodorou on board two.
GMs Mark Paragua and John Paul Gomez and IM Paulo Bersamina all drew and wound up with identical draws on boards one, three and four, respectively.
The loss relegated the Filipinos into a 22-nation logjam at 35th with 10 points and were squaring off with higher-ranked Georgia in the ninth round of the 11-round, 12-day biennial meet at press time.
