Frayna forges playoff, 3 PH chess bets exit in World Cup

Janelle Mae Frayna defeated Hoang Thanh Trang of Hungary Tuesday night, July 13, to set up a playoff where the winner will advance to the next round of the FIDE (International Chess Federation) World Cup 2021 in Sochi, Russia.

Frayna, who lost the first of two mini-matches to Hoang Monday, tied the score at 1-1 by defeating her foe in 41 moves of a Dutch Defense, the same opening where the Filipino Woman Grandmaster lost five years ago in the Chess Olympiad in Batumi.

Frayna was set to win Hoang’s queen when the Vietnam-born Hungarian ace resigned. 

“I am glad that I was able to level the score against GM Hoang Thanh Trang by winning the second game,” said Frayna in her Facebook account.

Other Filipino bets Daniel Quizon, Paulo Bersamina, and Michael Concio Jr., however, ended their campaigns. 

Frayna shared she was “really mad” at herself “for spoiling an equal endgame” in the first game. 

 “I thought I could create a breakthrough in the pawn ending. That was my main reason when I played the losing move  42.. Bd4,” she said.

The playoffs will consist of two mini-matches with a time control of 25 minutes and 10 seconds increment. If the score is still tied, then two mini-matches of 10 minutes with 10 seconds increment will be played. Two mini-matches of five minutes and three seconds increment will be set if the score remains tied.

Quizon, the Asian Zonal 3.3 champion, was eliminated after losing the first game against Evgeny Bareev then later settling for a draw to the Russian player now playing for Canada.

Bersamina and Concio, meanwhile, dropped their mini-series and were sent home packing.

Bersamina, who lost to Indian prodigy R. Praggnanandhaa in the first game, drew the second game by forcing perpetual check in 36 moves of a King’s Indian.    

Concio, the Asian Zone 3.3 runner-up, was swept in his series against Aravind Chidambaram of India, 2-0, after losing in 40 moves of a Caro-Kann. Concio lost on time in an equal position in the first game. – Rappler.com