Filipina Woman National Master (WNM) Janelle Mae Frayna and Filipino FIDE Master (FM) Mari Joseph Turqueza posted contrasting results in the 11th round of the 50th World Junior and 29th Junior Girls Chess Championships in Chennai, India on Saturday.
Faryna upset Woman International Master (WIM) Kazimova Narmin Nizami Qizi of Azerbaijan to climb into a share of 12th to 21st places with 6.5 points. She will next face WIM Jovana Eric of Serbia, who defeated Savetha CH of India.
Turqueza, meanwhile, split a point with Oleg Artemenko of Uzbekistan for a tie at 50th to 72nd places with 5.5 points.
The V. Luna chess club ace Turqueza tries to snatch a full point when he takes on GM Jorge Cori of Peru, who lost to FM Junta Ikeda of Australia.
Grandmaster (GM) Robert Hovhannishyan of Armenia drew with GM Dariusz Swiercz of Poland to keep his lead with 9.0 points in the open division.
Woman Grandmaster (WGM) Olga Girya of Russia and WGM Cori T Deysi of Peru shared the top spot in the girls’ class with 9.5 points each.
The National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), headed by chairman/president Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr., the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), through Chairman Richie Garcia, are supporting the Filipinos’ campaign.
The winner is eligible to receive GM title in the open section and WGM title in the girls’ section directly. An additional bonus awaits the gold medalist in the girls event, as she will also receive an IM norm.
The country’s best finish in the tourney was recorded by GM Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla Jr, who won a bronze medal during the 1991 event in Mamaia, Romania.