PRODIGIOUS Ruelle Canino continued her giant-slaying ways as she pulled the rug from under Woman FIDE Master Allaney Jia Doroy to seize the solo lead after three rounds of the Philippine National Chess Championships dubbed “The Battle of Women’s Masters” at the City Hall of Malolos, Bulacan.
Canino, 15, checkmated Doroy in 41 moves of a Modern Defense to claim her third straight win and the solo lead in this event staking a spot to the Asian Indoor Martial Games in Bangkok, Thailand this November, three slots to the FIDE World Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary this September and the top purse worth P85,000.
The Far Eastern U standout from Cagayan de Oro was gunning for a fourth win in a row against Jarel Renz Lacambra in the fourth round at press time in this event hosted by Malolos City Mayor Atty Christian Natividad, organized by the NCFP and backed by the PSC and POC.
Half a point off the pace were Woman Grandmaster-candidate Kylen Joy Mordido, who split the point with WFM Shania Mae Mendoza, and WFM Cherry Ann Mejia, who shocked defending champion WIM Marie Antoinette San Diego.
At joint fourth with two points apiece were Mendoza and 2020 winner WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda, who turned back April Joy Ramos.
Top seed WGM Janelle Mae Frayna continued her struggles and drew with WIM Bernadette Galas and remained with just a point to show in this 11-round tournament.