PASIG’S CHESS PRODIGY NICOLAS AMAZES THE ASIAN CHESS COMMUNITY WITH A SILVER FINISH IN THE EASTERN ASIA CHESS CHAMPIONSHIPS
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 12 Nov 2022
MANILA--Much has been written about veteran chess players who have won awards for their prowess. However, there is no record of a chess player who has been trained for only a year and is reaping medals left and right. Except today.
Pasig City’s little chess prodigy Nika Juris Nicolas has a wonderful tale to tell. This 10-year-old chess prodigy only had her formal training in chess last year and was mentored by her coaches Lourecel Ecot, Von Francisco and Raul Damuy. Despite her inexperience, Nicolas placed 2nd in the Girls under 10 Division in the National Age Group Chess Championships Grand Finals held in Malolos, Bulacan last July 2022 – her first ever standard tournament.
In her second foray at a standard tournament, Nicolas became the Champion in the Under 11 Girls Division of the National Youth & Schools Chess Championships Grand Finals held in Dapitan last September 2022. For her third standard tournament, Nicolas tried her luck in the Asian Youth Chess Championships in Bali, Indonesia last October 2022. While she did not get an individual award, she managed to become the highest pointer in order to lead the Philippine team of Girls under 10 to a Silver Team Award in Blitz and Bronze Team Awards for both Rapid and Standard Events.
In her fourth standard tournament, Nicolas competed in the Eastern Asia Youth Chess Championships held in Bangkok, Thailand this November 4 – 12, 2022. Nicolas again wowed the chess community when she clinched the Silver Medal in the under 10 Girls Division in the Standard Event, granting her the Woman FIDE Candidate Master Title (once she reaches the required 1800 rating). The gold medal went to Sreekarthika Velmurugan of Singapore (No. 16 in the 2022 World Cadet Chess Championships) while the bronze medal was awarded to Anu Bayart-Uchral of Mongolia (No. 12 in the 2022 World Cadet Chess Championships). Led by Nicolas with 7 points, the Philippine team of Girls under 10 including Gllasea Ann Hiralrio (5.5 points) and Cyreine Jean Borce (5 points), was conferred the Gold Medal Team Award.
The miraculous tale of this 10-year old girl who only trained in chess last year is one for the books. If she can do all these Herculean tasks in a year, what more can she do in 2 or 3 years down the line? The future indeed looks bright for this chess prodigy. May this tale inspire other children to pursue their dreams against all odds. After all, miracles are real. Ask Nika Juris Nicolas.-Marlon Bernardino-
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