The Philippines pulled off a 2.5-1.5 upset victory against Argentina in the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad on Wednesday, Sept. 18, thanks to a key win from Janelle Mae Frayna.
Frayna, the country’s first Woman Grandmaster, overcame her opponent Maria Jose Campos after a lengthy 66-move match on board two.
Her victory helped propel the team into a tie for 15th place with 10 match points.
Meanwhile, chess talent Ruelle Canino also secured a win on board four against WGM Claudia Amura, while Shania Mae Mendoza fell on board one. Jan Jodilyn Fronda held her ground on board three, drawing her match to finalize the team’s gold medal for Category B.
In a Facebook post, National Chess Federation of the Philippines President Butch Arreza Pichay expressed his pride at the accomplishments made by the women’s team on the world stage.
