Batumi World Chess Olympiad veteran WIM Shania Mae Mendoza agreed to a draw with WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda to maintain her grip on the solo lead after the ninth round in the 2019 National Women’s Championship-Grand Finals at the Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence headquarters at Mindanao Ave., Project 6, Quezon City.
Looking good following back-to-back victories over Rizalyn Jasmine Tejada and WGM Janelle Mae Frayna in the sixth and seventh rounds, Mendoza split the point with Fronda with the disadvantageous black pieces to keep a slim half point lead with six points.
The 21-year-old Far Eastern University student has four wins and four draws with still five rounds remaining in the 13-round tournament organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, headed by President/Chairman Prospero “Butch” Pichay to determine the country’s representatives to the World Chess Olympiad scheduled Aug. 1 to 15, 2020 in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia.
In second to third places with 5.5 points are Fronda and WIM Kylen Joy Mordido, who halved the point with Frayna.
WIM Catherine Perena-Secopito humbled WCM Mira Mirano to forge a five-way tie for fourth to eight places with Frayna, Marie Antoinette San Diego, WIM Mikee Charke Suede and WIM Bernadette Galas.
San Diego and Galas battled to a draw, while Suede lost to Rizalyn Jasmine Tejada in the event supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, under Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez.
WFM Allaney Jia Doroy beat Natori Iazza Duaz to climb to solo ninth place with four points.
Tournament director GM Jayson Gonzales said the champion in the standard chess competition will receive the top prize of P25,000 and trophy.
The runner-up and the third placer will receive P15,000 and P10,000, respectively.
Fourth placer will earn P5,000.
Supervising arbiter is Gene Poliarco.
