New Chess prodigy in town
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 22 Sep 2022
There is a new chess prodigy in town! Nika Juris Nicolas, a 10-year-old girl from Pasig City emerged as champion in the Under 11 Girls of the National Youth and Schools Chess Championships Grand Finals or NYSCC held September 17 - 21, 2022 at Dapitan City Cultural Complex in Zamboanga del Norte.
The NYSCC is a national tournament conducted under the auspices of the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee and the National Chess Federation of the Philippines. It brings together the best chess players under 17 years of age all over the Philippines who have successfully hurdled the Pre-eliminations, Eliminations and Semi-Finals.
The Philippine chess community was at awe when the 10-year-old chess prodigy Nika Juris Nicolas defeated veteran chess players from all over the Philippines in the Grand Finals. Representing Pasig City and her school OB Montessori Greenhills, Nika bested chess players from all over the Philippines in the Under 11 Girls Division, under the tutelage of her coaches Lourecel Hernandez Ecot, Von Francisco and Raul Damuy. Her win will entitle her to a Woman Candidate National Master Title.
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 also placed First Runner-Up in the previously concluded 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.
Nika is the daughter of lawyer-broadcaster Atty. Nikki de Vega and Atty. Karlo Nicolas.-Marlon Bernardino -
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Chaos in Liverpool: Figueroa Silences Echo Arena with 12th-Round Fireworks
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 08 Feb 2026Gabriel Santisima Stuns Unbeaten World Ranked and WBO Asia Pacific Champion Subaru Murata to Capture WBO Asia Pacific Title at Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
Sun, 08 Feb 2026Lucky "Batang Quiapo" Salvador defeats Rhaky "Roj" Constantino
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 08 Feb 2026Nick Ball vs Brandon Figueroa: Scrappy Styles Matchup in Liverpool
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 07 Feb 2026Undefeated Middleweight Sebastian Juarez Returns to the Ring February 6 in Guadalajara
Fri, 06 Feb 2026Esquillo, Arpilleda to compete at Lunar Horse Battle Royal 10-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 06 Feb 2026WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR MEDINA VS. CURIEL IN MEXICO, PLUS MAIN EVENT QUOTES
Fri, 06 Feb 2026Rene Tellez Giron & Luis Torres Battle for Mexican Pride in 10-Round Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’
Fri, 06 Feb 2026Gomera and Ding are set to clash for the WBC Asia 126 belt
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 05 Feb 2026“Thunderdome 53 is stacked and I cant wait to see these fights March 13 at Thunderdome 53 - Promoter Tony Tolj
Thu, 05 Feb 2026WORLD ELITE SUMO MAKES ITS PRUDENTIAL CENTER DEBUT ON SATURDAY, APRIL 18
Thu, 05 Feb 2026Sumalinog Brothers Score Wins in Bohol; Sign with Monty Flores (PHOTOS)
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 05 Feb 2026MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT WITH TEAM BOXING LEAGUE
Thu, 05 Feb 2026Trifon Petrov unveils the signing of another USA Team member in Ariana Carrasco
Thu, 05 Feb 2026Jerome Gonzales off to a marvelous start in J&P 10 Ball Cup at Pacman's Cue Club
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 05 Feb 2026