Current and former members of the Far Eastern University (FEU) Chess Team fueled the Philippine Women’s Chess Team that claimed a historic gold medal in the 45th World Chess Olympiad Budapest (Category B).
The Tamaraws include FEU Chess and National Women’s Head Coach Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales, Woman Fide Master (WFM) Ruelle Canino from FEU Diliman, Woman Grandmaster (WGM) and current FEU assistant coach Janelle Mae Frayna and alumna WFM Shania Mae Mendoza. They were joined by former De La Salle University chess standouts Woman International Master (WIM) Jodilyn Fronda and WIM Bernadette Galas.
The team made a remarkable turnaround with two rounds remaining and stuck at 49th place. They won their last two matches including a 4-0 sweep of Brazil in the final round, which was played at the BOK Sports Hall. The furious finish enabled the Filipinas to rise to 22nd place and tied with 14 other teams. After the final tally was made the team closed the competition at 24th overall, which was enough to win the gold in Category B.
This marked the best finish of the country in the competition. Young Tamaraw Canino benefitted the most from the team based on rating points as she pocketed 102 to up her total to 2260. Given her tremendous pace, she is expected to follow in the footsteps of Frayna, the first WGM of the Philippines.
Coach Gonzales said Frayna was the steady force of the team with her leadership and motivation, while Mendoza overcame expectations with her solid performance on the top board. Despite being young, Canino, is already lethal on the board and very determined to make a record for the Philippines, he added.
Coach Gonzales added that the unwavering support and assistance of FEU Chairman Aurelio R. Montinola III was crucial in their accomplishment.
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