WGM Janelle Frayna Proves Filipina Can Dominate Chess

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On a checkered battlefield, the queen proved she could rule the board and paint a vibrant stroke of undeniable victory. For the Philippines, it was more than a win; it was history.

Woman Grandmaster (WGM) Janelle Mae Frayna carved her name in history as the first Filipina to win an international chess crown, conquering the ladies’ blitz section of the 31st Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival in the United Arab Emirates.

Frayna, 29, was born in Legazpi, Albay. Coming from a province where advanced chess training was limited, she started playing chess at age 11 by joining the Magayon Chess Club.

At 20, she secured her final WGM norm at the 2016 Baku Olympiad with a tense, crucial draw that capped her as the Philippines’ Trailblazing Queen of the Board. In 2017, FIDE awarded her the title of Woman Grandmaster, becoming the first from the Philippines to achieve this.

Throughout her journey, Frayna won numerous competitions. At the Philippine Women’s National Championship, she finished first runner up twice in the said tournament. She also became champion multiple times at the ASEAN Age-Group Chess Championships. In 2011, she won the Philippine National Juniors. In 2021, she won two bronze medals in Vietnam; one for the women’s rapid chess event and the second for the women’s individual blitz.

Frayna, an enlisted Private First Class in the Philippine Army, blends discipline with strategic precision in her sport, turning it into a powerful repertoire. As a cum laude Psychology graduate from Far Eastern University, she honed her mental resilience and academic discipline, applying psychological insights to outmaneuver opponents in the chessboard, building a powerful path in her chess journey.

In an August 17 post, she expressed gratitude to overseas Filipinos for their support, describing Abu Dhabi as “one tough tournament” that she met, as always, with the resolve to “give my best.”

It is truly remarkable that Janelle Frayna has broken barriers and paved the way for future generations of Filipina chess players. Her success brought glory to our country and inspired countless young women to pursue their dream in sports. She continuously proves that anything is possible, as long as you relentlessly dedicate yourself to your passion and to who you aspire to be. [F]

via Jennifer Licaros, Staff Writer