WOMAN Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna made quick work of Woman International Master (WIM) Maria Elena Rodriguez Arrieta in 28 moves of their English duel on top board to power the Philippines to a 3-1 dismantling of Costa Rica in the 10th and penultimate round on Saturday night in the 46th World Chess Olympiad at the Silk Road International Exhibition Centre in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
Also prevailing were WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda and Woman FIDE Master Shania Mae Mendoza, who downed Valentina Campos Munoz and Victoria Canales Chinchilla on the last two boards while WIM Ruelle Canino was the only one to tumble and succumbed to WIM Sofia Mayorga Saraya.
The triumph catapulted the Filipinas, whose trip is being paid for by the Philippine Sports Commission, to a share of 21st place along with 10 others with 13 match points.
If they beat 20th seed England in the last round being played as of this writing, the Nationals would seal a top 20 finish, which would surpass its 24-place effort last time in Budapest, Hungary two years ago.
A top 20 finish would also earn the Filipinas a P500,000 bonus promised by delegation chief and Misamis Occidental Governor Henry S. Oaminal, Sr.
The Philippines would also have a shot at claiming a Category gold medal for the second straight time if it happens.
For the men’s, it decimated the Dominican Republic, 4-0, on wins by IMs Michael Concio, Jr., Paulo Bersamina and Jem Garcia and Grandmaster Darwin Laylo on board four.
They are currently in a big bracket inside the top 40 with 12 match points and tackling the Panamanians also as of this writing. — Joey Villar