ASTONISHING VICTORY BY CHESS WUNDERKID
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 20 Apr 2023
Remember the chess beginner who, in 2022, blossomed to a National Champion, Asian Youth medalist, Eastern Asia Silver Medalist, Woman Candidate FIDE Master and Batang Pinoy Champion, all in a span of a year playing chess? This chess wunderkid has done it again.
It was a historic moment for Philippine chess when Woman National Master Nika Juris Nicolas, a 10-year-old girl from Pasig City, emerged as Champion in the National Youth and Schools Chess Championships Eliminations under 11 Boys/Open category last April 16, 2023. She is dubbed as the first girl ever to achieve this feat in the Under 11 Boys/Open Category of the chess tourney. While there was a separate category for girls, Nika was lone female participant who competed in the Boys/Open category.
A common stereotype that many people have with chess is that boys are said to be more difficult to beat as chess players. And while there is no conclusive basis for this stereotype, the World Chess Federation (FIDE) provides for separate titles for boys/open (Grandmaster, International Master, FIDE Master, and Candidate Master), involving a higher FIDE rating requirement than those titles exclusively for girls (Woman Grandmaster, Woman International Master, Woman FIDE Master, and Woman Candidate FIDE Master). For example, a FIDE rating of 2500 is required to achieve a Grandmaster title. On the other hand, a FIDE rating of 2300 is required to achieve a Woman Grandmaster title.
Thus, Nika’s win truly comes as an astonishing surprise, especially in this male-dominated sport. Hopefully, her victory will encourage more girls to play chess and pursue their dreams.
“Continue to break glass ceilings for girls chess players,” said her proud mother, Atty. Nikki de Vega.
“Thank you Coach Lourecel Hernandez Ecot, Raul Miguel Damuy, Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence headed by GM Jayson Gonzales and WGM Janelle Mae Frayna, Pasig City with Mayor Vico at the helm together with Franco Camillo”, she added.-Marlon Bernardino-
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