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:
Paciones defeats Laspoña, retains WBO Oriental flyweight title
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 25 May 2026Results from Panama City
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Mon, 25 May 2026USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad Improves Strong Copa America Showing with 8 win Day
Mon, 25 May 2026Benilde Blazers wins Antipolo 2x2 chess team tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 25 May 2026Floyd Mayweather Jr files $175 million lawsuit against former associates and advisors
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 24 May 2026Christian Mbilli will defend his WBC super middleweight world title against Saul “Canelo” Alvarez on September 12 in Saudi Arabia!
Sun, 24 May 2026Toro Promotions’ Trio victorious in Mexico
Sun, 24 May 2026Team USA Continues Dominant Run with 7-0 Performance on Day Six In Colombia
Sun, 24 May 2026The Punisher Ultramarathon in Samal on May 30-31
Sun, 24 May 2026Paciones fights Laspoña tomorrow at Elorde gym
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 23 May 2026STATEMENT MADE! AMARI “THE REAPER” JONES DEFEATS VINCENZO “IL CAPO” GUALTIERI IN IBF MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD TITLE ELIMINATOR
Sat, 23 May 2026Castillano stops Rosales in 1st round
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 23 May 2026ProBoxTV Goes Global This Saturday with Two Action-Packed International Events Broadcast Live on One Sensational Saturday
Sat, 23 May 2026Oleksandr Usyk Returns Against Unknown Boxer on RING/DAZN PPV
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 23 May 2026Ayala Lardizabal stops Mama as IBA PRO 18 delivers dramatic night in Mexico City
Sat, 23 May 2026