10-year-old Nika Juris Nicolas becomes Woman National Master
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 24 Feb 2023
MANILA---PH chess wunderkind Nika Juris Nicolas has been conferred the title Woman National Master (WNM) by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines on Wednesday, February 22, 2023.
As it stands, the 10-year-old Nika is one of the youngest WNMs in the country, daughter of Atty. Nikki De Vega and Atty. Krisanto Karlo Nicolas.
In a span of a year, this chess beginner blossomed to a National Champion, Asian Youth medalist, Eastern Asia Silver Medalist, Woman Candidate FIDE Master and a Batang Pinoy Champion.
The year 2022 bore witness to the miraculous wins of Nika in chess.
"I am glad I was able to perform well in the tournament and become a National Master," said Nika, a Grade 5 pupil of Victory International School in Pasig City.
She learned how to play chess at the age of nine thru Coach Lourecel Hernandez Ecot in June 2021. Her first tournament was the National Age Group Chess Championship Pre Elimination thru Lichess Platform in February 5, 2022. She finished first place with six wins and one loss.
Nika is scheduled to compete in the National Age Group Chess Championship Elimination set March 3-5 in Tagaytay City.
"Our family is immensely grateful to all those who cheered and prayed with us whether boisterously or silently. Likewise, we wish to express our appreciation to the unsung heroes - the coaches, teachers and mentors of Nika namely Coach Lourecel Hernandez Ecot , Coach Von Carlson Francisco , Raul Miguel Damuy, The Chess Castle, Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence , WGM Janelle Frayna, GM Jayson Gonzales and all the other chess players who took time to play with Nika and point out areas for improvement. " said proud mother Atty. Nikki De Vega, PCAP's Magic Mandaluyong Tigers co-team owner.
"Special thanks is also in order to the chess parents who welcomed us with open arms and guided us how to navigate this new terrain called the chess world. Finally, thank you to the Pasig City government led by Mayor Vico Sotto, Vice Mayor Dodot Jaworski, Cong. Roman Romulo and Coach Franco Camillo and the NCFP under the helm of Cong. Butch Pichay and CEO Jayson Gonzales for your indefatigable efforts to develop the skills of the youth." she added.-Marlon Bernardino-
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
THE RING 6: NIGHT OF THE SAMURAI OPEN WORKOUTS COMPLETE AS UNDISPUTED KING INOUE GETS READY FOR PICASSO CLASH IN RIYADH
Thu, 25 Dec 20253-Time, 2-Division World Champion & IBF No. 1, Mandatory Bantamweight World Title Challenger Miyo Yoshida long overdue for her 8th World title fight
Thu, 25 Dec 2025Game On! 1st Paower Pickleball Cup Ignites Action in San Fernando
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 25 Dec 2025Late Replacement Tellez Ready to Shock the World Against Amanda Serrano for WBA & WBO Featherweight Titles on January 3 in Puerto Rico
Wed, 24 Dec 2025The Pryce is right again!
Wed, 24 Dec 2025Postal Stamp Honoring Muhammad Ali will be present in January 15
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 24 Dec 2025O’REILLY AUTO PARTS SIGNS LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIP DEAL WITH MATCHROOM BOXING
Wed, 24 Dec 2025Isabela Chess University Wins Region 2 Chess League Title
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 24 Dec 2025Cristobal stops Beltran in the 6th round
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 23 Dec 2025VENUE/DATE CHANGE: Shinard Bunch Takes on John Paul Magalong on THURSDAY, JANUARY 15TH AT THE WAR MEMORIAL IN TRENTON
Tue, 23 Dec 2025Raquinel suffers 2nd setback in SA
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 23 Dec 2025Oakland Municipal Auditorium: Sacred Hall Where Filipino Boxing World Champions Were Crowned
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Tue, 23 Dec 2025IBA confirms Men’s World Boxing Championships results
Tue, 23 Dec 2025Jordan Launches Pro Boxing Scene Appointing Amer Abdallah as Advisor
Tue, 23 Dec 2025Fisher and Atencio Crowned Jax Mixed Doubles Open Champions
Sun, 21 Dec 2025