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Philippines, 11 Apr 2026 |
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Filipino chess prodigy Nika Juris Nicolas eyes Woman International Master title By Marlon Bernardino PhilBoxing.com Sat, 11 Apr 2026 Manila---Filipino chess prodigy Nika Juris Nicolas is set to compete in tournaments abroad to accomplish her bid to become the country's next Woman International Master (WIM). Nicolas currently holds the title of Woman Candidate Master but aims to secure the WIM title. She is set to compete in the FIDE World Cadet & Youth Rapid & Blitz Chess Championships 2026 take place April 14-21, 2026 at the Hotel Zepter Conference Hall in Vrnjačka Banja, Serbia, bringing together the world’s most talented young players for an international festival of fast-paced chess. The event crowns official world champions across six age categories in both Rapid and Blitz formats, offering young competitors a prestigious global stage to test their speed, calculation, and resilience against top peers from every continent. "I hope to do well in this event," said the amiable Nicolas, one of the guests in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) Opening and Awarding Ceremony held at Quezon City Sports Club on Friday, April 10, 2026. Fondly called Baby Nika in the chess world is fresh from winning the National Youth & Schools Chess Championships held in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental from March 19-23, 2026. She won a medal of 2 Golds and 1 Bronze. The 13-year-old NM Nicolas dominated the Under 17 Rapid Girls Division to emerge as champion. More importantly, NM Nika is undefeated in all 18 rounds of Standard, Rapid and Blitz. Three years ago, Nicolas was slowly establishing herself as the future of Philippine chess, after being conferred by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) under the leadership of chairman/president Cong. Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr. with the title of National Master. The recognition is usually given to male players but Nicolas challenged herself further as she joined a tournament dominated by male athletes, and eventually succeeded. This earned the young prodigy the title, making her the first female chess player to earn the distinction. This earned the young prodigy the title, making her the first female chess player to earn the distinction. Nicolas also made history the youngest National Master at the age of 10. It shall be recalled that Nicolas was the only female participant during the Boys Under 11 Division of the National Youth and Schools Chess Championships Grand Finals held in Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte dated June 2 to 9, 2023. She went home with silver in Standard and Blitz events, and a bronze in Rapid. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.  |
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