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:
WBC lifts the suspension imposed on Ryan Garcia
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 05 Nov 2025Siargao pug bags silver in Batang Pinoy
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 05 Nov 2025Marcial-Colmenares Middleweight Bout Steals Show at Thrilla in Manila 50th Year (Part 2 of 2)
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Wed, 05 Nov 2025Brown vs. Seldin for the WBA Super Lightweight Interim World Title
Wed, 05 Nov 2025FRANCIS LAFRENIÈRE MAKES COMEBACK NOV 29
Wed, 05 Nov 2025OLYMPIC MEDALIST YUBERJEN MARTINEZ INKS WITH ALL STAR BOXING
Wed, 05 Nov 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 November 2025: Mayer Outpoints Spencer to Unify 154 Belts; Buatsi's Controversial Win Over Parker; Pero Outpoints Thompson; Thrilla in Manila at 50 Results
By Eric Armit, Tue, 04 Nov 2025Marcial-Colmenares Middleweight Bout Steals Show at Thrilla in Manila 50th Year (Part 1)
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Tue, 04 Nov 2025MATCHROOM BOXING ANNOUNCES HISTORIC ‘LIVE FROM GHANA’ EVENT FOR SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20 AS CRAIG RICHARDS AND DAN AZEEZ COLLIDE IN ACCRA – LIVE WORLDWIDE ON DAZN
Tue, 04 Nov 2025Bryce Mills Defeats James Bernadin By Unanimous Decision
Mon, 03 Nov 2025NBA Daily: Wembanyama Struggles as Suns Give Spurs First Loss 130-118
By Reylan Loberternos, Mon, 03 Nov 2025Oklahoma City Thunder the only undefeated NBA Team
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Mon, 03 Nov 2025RP Blu Boys Close Out Strong with Unbeaten Record in Japan Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 03 Nov 2025Pero Outlasts Thompson in Orlando, Secures Unanimous Decision Victory
Mon, 03 Nov 2025Jonas Magpantay Crowned Qatar World Cup 10-Ball Champion
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 03 Nov 2025