Janelle Mae Frayna and Ruelle Canino secured victories in the 11th round to maintain their shared lead at 8.5 points in the Philippine National Women’s Chess Championship. The event, held in Malolos, Bulacan, features 16 players vying for the title and spots in the World Chess Olympiad. With four rounds remaining, the top contenders remain in strong position.
In the 11th round of the Philippine National Women’s Chess Championship on Sunday night in Malolos, Bulacan, Janelle Mae Frayna and Ruelle Canino delivered convincing wins to preserve their lead. Frayna sacrificed a queen for two rooks against Cherry Ann Mejia in a 76-move Slav opening, relying on her endgame prowess to secure an extra pawn and the victory. Canino, an 18-year-old from Cagayan de Oro City, outmaneuvered Olympiad teammate Shania Mendoza in a tactical 56-move Sicilian Defense battle.
Both players now stand at 8.5 points, tied at the top with four rounds left. They are poised to compete for the championship title and one of three qualification spots for the World Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, this September. The tournament, backed by host city Mayor Christian Natividad and the Philippine Sports Commission, includes 16 participants.
Trailing by one point in joint third are Olympiad mainstays Jan Jodilyn Fronda and Bernadette Galas, both at 7.5 points. Fronda opted for a 31-move draw in a Slav duel with Marie Antoinette San Diego, while Galas prevailed in a 54-move rook-and-pawn endgame against Queen Pamplona in a Center-Counter game. Mhage Sebastian and Allaney Jia Doroy also notched wins, holding 6.5 and 6 points respectively, keeping them in the hunt for Olympiad berths.
Prior to this round, after 10 games on February 8, Canino had drawn level with Frayna at 7.5 points following her marathon 67-move Queen's Pawn win over Kate Ordizo. Canino's strong recovery—scoring seven points in her last eight rounds after an early draw and loss—highlights her momentum. Fronda had taken solo third with 7 points after defeating Vic Derotes in 60 moves of a Pirc Defense, and Galas held fourth at 6.5 following a 76-move Sicilian draw with Maria Lavandero.
