PH team confident of chances at Asean chess tilt in Thailand

PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 05 Jun 2013

Manila—READY and confident.

That’s how members of the Philippine age-group team, headed by newest Woman International Master (WIM) elect Janelle Mae Frayna, described themselves on the eve of 14th ASEAN + Age Group Chess Championships 2013 gets underway from June 5 to 14 at the Imperial Mae Ping Hotel in Chiangmai, Thailand.

“I will do my very best for flag and country,” said the Far Eastern University sophomore Psychology student who just completed her Woman International Master (WIM) title status.

“I hope to earn some ELO rating points,” added the Legaspi City, Albay native Frayna who earned her two (2) WIM norms in last year’s World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey and another two (2) WIM norms in the just ended $100,000 Manny Pacquiao Cup Asian Continental Chess Championship at the Midas Hotel and Casino in Pasay City.

According to Asian Chess Federation (ACF) deputy vice president Casto “Toti” Abundo, Frayna will need to improve her current ELO rating of 2050 to 2200 this year to become a full-fledged Woman International Master (WIM).

Joining Frayna in the Girls 20 and under bracket are Jan Jodilyn Fronda of Manila and 12-year-old Marie Antoinette San Diego of Dasmarinas, Cavite, who also got her first two WIM title results/norms in the $100,000 Manny Pacquiao Cup Asian Continental Chess Championship.

“Most of our players are in good shape right now. They are all well-prepared and better-trained,” said National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Executive Director and former Olympian GM Jayson Gonzales who spearheaded Philippine Team courtesy call to NCFP chairman/president Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr. on Tuesday at the Juan Republik Foods Inc. in Pateros.

“There are tournaments in Standard, Rapid and Blitz chess, all eligible for FIDE ratings in 14th ASEAN + Age Group Chess Championships 2013 in in Chiangmai, Thailand. In addition, titles will be awarded as in the Olympiads, with IM and WIM titles possible in the under 20′s division.” said NCFP chairman/president Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr. who is grateful to the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) for undying support to the Philippine Chess.

Pichay said the players earned the right to represent the country following their strong showing in this year’s nationwide search Philippine Age Group Chess Championships. The Philippine age-group chess team left the country yesterday via Thai Airways bound for Chiangmai, Thailand.

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