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:
Filipino Jonas Magpantay wins Indonesia; pockets $15,000, gains steam heading to Vietnam
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 29 Jun 2026Ex-kickboxer to debut in MMA Slugfest
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 29 Jun 2026Deaño settles to a draw
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 28 Jun 2026Abdyrakhmanov defeats Kadiev, Kudryashov knocks out Yousefi at IBA Bare Knuckle 5 in Moscow
Sun, 28 Jun 2026WBC declares German Agit Kabayel new WBC heavyweight champion after Usyk relinquishes his title
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 28 Jun 20264th Gov. RST MMA Slugfest on July 3
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 28 Jun 2026Chezka Centeno ready for world 10-ball title defense
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 27 Jun 2026Xander Zayas vs Jaron Ennis: Breakout Moment in Brooklyn
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 27 Jun 2026GAB Must Look Into Exploitation of Rated Filipino Fighters in Japan
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 27 Jun 2026TITLE FIGHT ON: Zayas and "Boots" Ennis Hit the Scales for Brooklyn Super-Welterweight Showdown
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 27 Jun 2026USC's Galen Center confirmed as Martinez-Plantic, Lopez-Carrillo venue August 29, live on ProBoxTV
Sat, 27 Jun 2026July 4: Albert Bell Steps In to Challenge Abdullah Mason in All-Ohio WBO Lightweight World Title Showdown at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center LIVE on TNT and DAZN
Fri, 26 Jun 2026Zamboanga relinquishes her ONE Women’s title
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 26 Jun 2026Top-ranked Charly Suarez facing Manuel Avila, plus two more fights added to July 18 ProBoxTV event
Fri, 26 Jun 2026Yanon fights Kaji in Tokyo on July 4
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 26 Jun 2026