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-
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