PH's only female NM finishes second in Czech Republic chess
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 18 Jan 2025
Manila---NIKA Juris Nicolas, the country's first and only female National Master (NM) finished in second place at the Prague Open 2025 (under 2000 rating) 23rd International Chess Festival.
Nicolas had six wins, two draws and one loss at the end of the week-long tournament that ended last Friday from January 10 to 17, 2025.
She and third placer Andreas Schindele of Germany, fourth placer Frantisek Korenek of Czech Republic, fifth placer Giorgi Bekauri of Georgia, and sixth placer Petr Hrebicek of Czech Republic have identical scores but Nicolas had a better quotient.
The 12-year-old Pasig City resident Nicolas defeated Jian A. Lee of South Korea (unrated) in the first round, Petr Hrebicek of Czech Republic (1820) in the second round, Andre Jaeger of Germany (1902) in the third round, Tomas Pisar of Czech Republic (1924) in the fifth round, Romans Tolmacevs of Latvia (1911) in the sixth round, and Sebastian Lehner-Dittenberger of Austria (1779) in the seventh round.
She drew with Andreas Schindele of Germany (1911) in the fourth round and Frantisek Korenek of Czech Republic (1932) in the ninth and final round.
She was beaten by Spyridon Ilandzis of Greece (1950) in the eight round.
Ilandzis emerge as the champion with 7.5 points in nine outings.
“We are very happy with the results. Unfortunately kinulang kaya second lang below Spyridon Ilandzis of Greece. Crucial laban ng anak ko (NM Nika Juris Nicolas) kay Spyridon Ilandzis sa penultimate round pero overall maganda ang naging performance niya,” Nika's mother, lawyer Nikki de Vega, who also serves as NCFP legal counsel, said.
'As amply put by Baby Nika, CZECHMATE! I am pleased to state that Baby Nika placed 2nd overall in the Prague Open 2025 (under 2000 rating) covering 39 federations and 158 players! She had a total of 6 wins, 2 draws and lost only to the current and 2024 Prague Open Champion," added de Vega.
'Baby Nika was also awarded 1st Place in the Women's Category and 1st Place in the 1600-1699 Rating Category. More importantly, she gained 172 elo points! Her live rating is now 1921! Baby Nika, you are amazing. Continue to make your country proud!', last word of de Vega.
Nika, a Grade 7 student at Victory Christian International School in Pasig City also won the 35th International Chess Festival last December 29, 2024 at the Galaxy Hotel in Krakow, Poland.
Nika 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.
Nika will continue her European chess circuit campaign when she competes in the Marienbad Open on January 18 -25, 2025, in the Czech Republic.
Among those who are supporting her chess campaign here and abroad are the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) headed by its chairman/president Prospero Pichay Jr., Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, Victory Christian International School in Pasig City, her coaches Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales, Woman Grandmaster Janelle Frayna, Franco Camillo, Lourecel Ecot, Raul Damuy, and MJ Ladrona.
It shall be recalled that Nika 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.-Marlon Bernardino-
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
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