First Filipina chess grandmaster sets sights on graduating cum laude

MANILA, Philippines – Janelle Mae Frayna has always been a work in progress.

Ever since she started playing chess 9 years ago, she wouldn’t let a day pass without playing—it was like love at first sight.

“My brother taught me how to play but he isn’t a professional player,” the Legaspi-native Frayna said. “There was something pulling me to the board, I just always wanted to play. It was just unexplainable. I was 11 years old back then.”

After 3 years, she was already certain of what she wanted to become: to be the country’s first Woman Grandmaster (WGM). While children her age played in the streets, Frayna expanded her world by reading, learning and training by herself.

When the opportunity came to join the Universities Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), Frayna had no hesitations and tried out for the Far Eastern University High School chess team.

Though already armed with the talent and skills as she already beaten some of the best players in the country within her age bracket, Frayna received the biggest challenge she had to face back then.

She was rejected by FEU’s coach Jayson Gonzales.

“Coach Jayson was simply saying to me back then that I have no place in his team since he already has a roster of strong players,” said Frayna. “I was also already a high school junior so he said transferring wasn’t really the best option.”

But even Frayna’s 14-year old self was already strong and determined. Janelle was sure of what she wanted and made a decision to pursue her dream regardless of any setback.

“Chess is my choice. Sometimes, we have to choose and at that moment, I chose to be an athlete and promised myself I would do everything it takes to be the best there is.”

And in just a matter of a few years, Frayna stayed true to her word after she became the Philippines’ first WGM.

No more second best

After a 33-move draw against International Master Daavademberel Nomin-Erdene—Frayna’s third and last bout—at the 42nd World Chess Olympiad in Baku, Azerbaijan last September 11, she was crowned with the title.

Frayna’s opponents throughout her WGM journey were: Grandmaster Nana Dzagnideze and GM Dronavalli Harika of Georgia and India, respectively and other two WGMs: Sabrina Latreche (Algeria) and Alejandra Guerrero Rodriguez (Mexico).

“It was a very emotional and surreal moment for me and coach Jayson [Gonzales],” Frayna said when given the highest-ranking chess title restricted to women. “It was like I had a flashback of all our hardships.”

No doubt, it was not easy.

I already knew I started late, some began their training really young but I never took that as a disadvantage,” said Frayna. “Instead, I pushed myself to the limit.”

Due to the lack of resources available in the province including chess books, mentors and even Grandmasters, Janelle had to train most of the time by herself.

“My mom, she’s really supportive. She would buy me reading materials and chess books that are from Manila,” shared Frayna, the youngest among 3 siblings. “She would also take time to surf the internet to find competitions I could participate in.”

Frayna was soon discovered by coach Jayson when she enrolled to his newly-opened chess school back when she was 14 years old.

“There was one time when my mom thought she found a big competition because of its name [Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence], but it was just a newly-opened school under coach Jayson. It wasn’t that big of a tournament but it paved way for me to get to Manila,” shared Frayna.

When Frayna was rejected from the FEU High School team, she didn’t stop showing what she’s capable of.

“He basically changed his mind after seeing me play in a tournament at Davao wherein I finished second. It made me qualified to play in an international competition. Since then, coach Jayson became my mentor,” Frayna, who has competed in 15 countries, said.

This is why Frayna embraced the WGM title as a team effort and is grateful to have a GM train her to become the chess master she is now.

“We both waited for this for so long. There were so many setbacks. There was a time when we thought I was going to get the title already but I failed so we had to start from the beginning,” said Frayna, who has been training with coach Gonzales for 6 years now. “I used to think that I was only made to be always second best but coach Jayson really pushed and encouraged me. My success is a team effort.”

Best in Philippines, but still room to improve

Currently, Frayna ranks 38^th among women in Asia according to FIDE, the governing body that awards performance-based titles to chess players.

“Being WGM is only one of my dreams. I want to be better. I want to improve my FIDE rating that’s why we’re planning to go to Europe and compete with other GMs,” confirmed Frayna. “I may be number one in the Philippines but outside, I’m still weak. There is so much more to improve on.”

Being a WGM is no excuse for Frayna not to continue her training like the rest of the team, and she maintains her training 6 days a week.

With all the plans she is fervent to pursue and all the efforts she is bursting to achieve them, Frayna points all to one thing: having an ardent heart to march forward.

“Some people would say I’m too ambitious but shouldn’t all athletes be? You just have to take a stand. That’s what I did. Sometimes in life, you just have to choose between things and I chose chess. I’ll always choose chess,” said a confident Frayna.

Even with her outstanding performance as an athlete, Frayna never forgets to excel in her academics as she hopes to seal her journey in college by graduating cum laude in May.

“I still study hard also. Chess and academics have the same principles so I also enjoy it. I was also class salutatorian back then,” said Frayna who is currently a BS Psychology senior. “Some people say I could’ve been more: a great doctor, lawyer, or something else. But I want chess. My heart wants chess.” – Rappler.com