PH’s First-Ever Female Chess Master rules 35th International Chess Festival in Krakow, Poland
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 30 Dec 2024
Manila---Nika Juris Nicolas, the country's first female National Master (only NM), emerged as the champion in the 35th International Chess Festival last Sunday (December 29, 2024) at the Galaxy Hotel in Krakow, Poland.
A Grade 7 student at Victory Christian International School in Pasig City, Nicolas (Elo 1635) topped the Open Under 1800 Category with an undefeated record of 6 wins and 1 draw to raise her total 6.5 points in seven outings.
The tournament proved pivotal for Nicolas and boosted her FIDE rating by 86 points with a Performance rating 2017.
NM Nicolas (Standard Elo rating of 1635) defeated Kacper Miąso of Poland (1400) , Mateusz Waszkiewicz of Poland (1402) and Artem Sokolvak of Ukraine (1000) in the first and three rounds, respectively.
She snapped her three-match winning streak when she had a draw against Filip Korda of Poland (1725) in the fourth round.
Then beat Arkadiusz Piwowarczyk of Poland (1779), Nikita Alexeev of Ukraine (1697) and Ali Asgarzada of Azerbaijan (1653) in the fifth, sixth and seven round, in order.
Rafal Skalny of Poland and Filip Korda of Poland wound up second and third with identical 5.5 points.
Rounding up the top 9 finishers with 5.0 points each were Nikita Alexeev of Ukraine, Arkadiusz Piwowarzyk of Poland, Ali Asgarzada of Azerbaijan, Marek Michaliik of Poland, Justyna Rozenska of Poland and Adam Machnik of Poland.
It shall be recalled that Nicolas was the only female who competed in the Boys' Under-11 division of the National Youth and Schools Chess Championships grand finals in Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte held June 2 to 9, 2023 bagging two silver medals (Standard and Blitz) and one bronze (Rapid).
The National Master title, usually given to males, was conferred on her by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) during the awarding ceremony.
Nicolas challenged conventional practices and questioned why girls were restricted to their division. Encouraged by her mother, lawyer Nikki de Vega, who also serves as NCFP legal counsel, she ventured into the Boys’ division, proving that girls could indeed compete with boys in chess.
“Nika is overjoyed because it has always been her dream to compete with the boys,” de Vega said. “It was a dream come true for her to get the National Master title.”
Nicolas’ studied chess at age 9 and joined her first tournament in February 2022, at the National Age Group Chess Championship. She showcased her skills with six wins and one loss. Today, she already holds the credentials as a candidate FIDE Master, national age-group champion, Asian youth medalist, Eastern Asia silver medalist, and a Batang Pinoy champion.
The 11-year-old Nicolas will continue her European chess circuit campaign when she competes in the Prague Open on January 10-17, 2025 and Marienbad Open on January 18 -25, 2025, both in the Czech Republic.
“Nika hopes to continue her winning ways,” her mother said, expressing gratitude for their supporters and prayer warriors, including coaches Lourecel Ecot, Raul Damuy, and MJ Ladrona; Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence led by Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales and Woman Grandmaster Janelle Frayna; Pasig City government; NCFP; and other chess parents.-Marlon Bernardino-
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Paolo Gallito, 6 others in the last 16 in Malaysia
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 17 May 2026Keyshawn Davis Returns Home With Decision Win Over Nahir Albright
Sun, 17 May 2026Heartbreak in Johannesburg: Jerusalem Dethroned by Kuse in Bloody Rematch
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 17 May 2026Roy Jones Jr. Blasts Dana White and Zuffa’s Push to Reshape Boxing During Explosive “Boxing Primetime Show” Interview
Sat, 16 May 2026Weigh-In Results: Keyshawn Davis vs. Nahir Albright II
Sat, 16 May 2026Jerusalem vs. Kuse II: High-Stakes Rematch in Johannesburg
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 16 May 2026Hometown Hero Edward Vazquez Returns to ProBoxTV on Friday, June 5, to Face Mexico’s Daniel Lugo in the 10-round Main Event of ‘The Contender Series’ at University of Texas in Arlington
Sat, 16 May 2026AQ Prime to host 2 big tournaments
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 16 May 2026June 6 announcement: Padley-Fiaz to Main Event in Sheffield after Galal Yafai setback
Fri, 15 May 2026Press Conference Notes: Keyshawn Davis Ready to Settle Unfinished Business in Saturday’s Hometown Rematch against Nahir Albright LIVE on DAZN
Fri, 15 May 2026Eros Correa vs. Anthony Garnica, Set to Clash for WBC Continental Americas Title.
Fri, 15 May 2026Eman-Perez rematch now title-match
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 15 May 2026Montreal Experience greatly benefited Undefeated Kansas boxing prospect Marco Romero for this Saturday’s fight
Fri, 15 May 2026”MERCILESS” RAY MERCER TO ATTEND 2026 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND
Fri, 15 May 2026IIEE Metro Central dominates the IIEE National Midyear Convention sportsfest
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 15 May 2026