KRISTEL SATUMBAGA

Woman International Master Marie Antoinette San Diego drew with Franchesca Largo in 33 moves of a Queen’s Pawn London System to move on the verge of topping the Philippine National Women’s Chess Championship presented by Nova Wellness Store at the PACE Sunday, Dec. 4.

The 23-year-old Dasmariñas bet hiked her total to 7.5 points, 1.5 points ahead of top seed Woman Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna, who was fell in upset to Mary Joy Tan.

San Diego, an Olympiad veteran, plays Woman FIDE Master Shania Mae Mendoza, Bea Mendoza and wunderkind April Joy Claros in the last three rounds and if she could hold the fort, she will clinch her first national women’s title.

San Diego took the lead after racking up seven straight wins including masterful triumphs over former national titlists Frayna and WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda.

Her last win before the split with Largo was a 21-move smashing of Ayana Nicole Usman of a Chekhov variation of the Sicilian Defense.

Meanwhile, former national junior girls champion Vic Glysen Derotas zoomed to solo No. 3 with six points after shocking Fronda in 35 moves of an English Opening.

It came a day after she fought the fancied Frayna to a 35-move standoff of a Caro-Kann Defense.

The 11-round event stakes a total cash pot worth P140,000 including P50,000 to the champion.