Gonzales and protege Frayna rule PNG chess events

MANILA, Philippines – He rarely joins rapid chess events and doesn’t even win most of them, but Jayson Gonzales ruled the contest in the Philippine National Games 2018 in Mandaue City on Friday, May 25. 

Armed with a new opening, Gonzales won the rapid chess event on tiebreak, edging top seed Darwin Laylo of Marikina and A.J. Literatus of Davao after they finished with 7 points out of 9 rounds. 

Janelle Mae Frayna, the country’s first Woman Grandmster (WGM) and Gonzales’ protege, won the women’s rapid and blitz chess events as Albay Province won 3 golds.  

Gonzales and Frayna’s feat marks a rare moment in the sport where a coach and his best player win at the same time.

Oliver Dimakiling of Davao won the men’s blitz.

Gonzales’ last-round foe was Paulo Bersamina, who had been winning rapid chess events recently. Using the Caro-Kann which Gonzales is playing for the first time, he attacked Bersamina’s king and won in 25 moves.

 “I sat on the board and prayed a little,” said Gonzales. ” I am just fortunate that he deviated from the main line.” 

Gonzales does not play as much as he used to as he has been busy charting the career of Frayna and 18-year-old John Marvin Miciano, who earned an International Master title. – Rappler.com