Woman Grandmaster (WGM) Janelle Mae Frayna carved her name into chess history after emerging as the first Filipina champion of the Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival – Ladies Blitz.
Frayna ruled the 31st edition of the tournament, outclassing 120 participants from 24 countries. With seven victories and two draws, she remained undefeated and clinched the title with a total of eight points.
The National Chess Federation of the Philippines praised her triumph, saying Frayna showed “grit and brilliance” against a highly competitive international field. Her final-round draw against Uzbek International Master Gulrukhbegim Tokhirjonova officially sealed the crown.
In a post on August 17, Frayna expressed gratitude to fellow Filipinos in the UAE who cheered her on during the tournament. “This is my first time playing in the Abu Dhabi Chess Festival. Thank you to our Pinoy friends who made us feel at home,” she wrote. She also admitted the event was “one tough tournament” but vowed to always give her best.
Frayna, 29, hails from Bicol and currently serves as an enlisted army personnel. She became the Philippines’ first Woman Grandmaster in 2017, awarded by the International Chess Federation (FIDE). A graduate of Far Eastern University, she was previously named UAAP Season 77 Athlete of the Year.
She has also represented the Philippines in the Southeast Asian Games, bagging two bronze medals in Vietnam in 2021 for the women’s rapid and individual blitz events.
