MANILA – Nika Juris Nicolas, the country's first female National Master, will compete in the 4th AQ Prime Standard Open Chess Tournament scheduled on December 20-21, 2024 at the Pavilion Mall, Greenfield District along EDSA, beside MRT Shaw Boulevard station in Mandaluyong City.
The 11-year-old Nicolas was the only female who competed in the Boys' Under-11 division of the National Youth and Schools Chess Championships grand finals in Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte held June 2 to 9, 2023 bagging two silver medals (Standard and Blitz) and one bronze (Rapid).
The National Master title, usually given to males, was conferred on her by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) during the awarding ceremony.
A Grade 6 student at Victory Christian International School in Pasig City, she also bested her Under-11 male counterparts in the National Youth and Schools Chess Championships eliminations in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental in March 2023.
In the 2022 ASEAN Age Group held online and which she joined for the first time, Nicolas led the Girls’ Under-10 team to a bronze medal.
"Nika is overjoyed because it has always been her dream to compete with the boys," lawyer Nikki de Vega, Nicolas’ mother said.
De Vega, who also serves as NCFP legal counsel, thanked their supporters and prayer warriors, including coaches Lourecel Ecot, Raul Damuy, and MJ Ladrona; Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence led by Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales and Woman Grandmaster Janelle Frayna; Pasig City government; NCFP; and other chess parents.
Also joining the 4th AQ Prime Standard Open Chess Tournament are reigning two-time Asian Senior 65 over category champion International Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad, two-time Asian Senior 50 and above category champion Chito Danilo Garma, FIDE Master Christian Mark Daluz, FIDE Master Nelson "Elo" Mariano III, National Master Carlo Magno Rosaupan, National Master Al-Basher Buto, National Master Gladimir Chester Romero, National Master Romeo Alcodia, Woman National Master Rinoa Mariel Sadey and Woman National Master Daren Dela Cruz.
The champion in the 2-day FIDE Standard Open Chess Tournament and sanctioned by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines will went home P12,000 and a trophy.-Marlon Bernardino-
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