MANILA---THE Philippines' chess wunderkind Nika Juris Nicolas will head to Thailand with hopes of improving her world ranking aside from bringing more honors for the country.
Accompanied by her mother Nikki de Vega who is also an award winning lawyer-broadcaster, Nika will see action at the Eastern Asia Youth Chess Championship 2022 slated from November 6 to 12 at Asia Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand.
"I hope to do well in this prestigious event, "said Nika, who hold an elo rating of 1343, number 85 in the top 100 PH Women's player and number one in the Girls Under 10.
The 10-year-old Nika, led the Philippine team of Girls under 10 to a 1 Silver and 2 Bronzes finish in the Asian Youth Chess Championships held in Bali, Indonesia from October 13-22.
Nika’s chess prowess was first noticed in the international community when she scored the most number of points for the Philippine Team of Girls Under 10 in the ASEAN Age Group Chess Championships held last April 2022, leading the Philippine Team to a Bronze Medal. She placed 12th best chess player overall for girls under 10 in the ASEAN, with the first to eleventh places taken by players hailing from Vietnam.
Nika, playing under the tutelage of her coaches Lourecel Hernandez Ecot, Von Francisco and Raul Damuy, also placed First Runner-Up in the National Age Group Chess Championships Grand Finals or NAGC held last July 19-24 in Malolos, Bulacan, besting other seasoned chess players in the Girls Under 10 Division from Bulacan, Zamboanga, Iloilo, Cavite, Batangas and Dipolog.
Other members of the Philippine chess team are Cyreine Jean Borce, Deandra Castronuevo and Princess Rane Magallanes who will be competing in the Girls Under 10 category.-Marlon Bernardino-
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