WCM Nika Juris Nicolas 10th in Serbia
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 18 Apr 2026
Manila---Woman Candidate Master (WCM) Nika Juris Nicolas brought pride to the Philippines once again by finishing tenth in the Girls 14 and under Rapid competition of the FIDE World Cadet & Youth Chess Championships 2026 held from April 15 to 17 at the Hotel Zepter in Vrnjacka Banja, Serbia.
Nicolas, a 13-year-old Pasig City resident tied for tenth to fourteen places with 6.0 points on account of six wins and five losses alongside WCM Anna Ivaschenko of Russia, Solomiia Svitenko of Ukraine, WCM Bibissara Yerzhan of Kazahstan, and WCM Eliza Tereshchenko of Russia.
After tie breaks, WCM Nicolas was awarded tenth place.
She defeated Sofia Khoroshikh of Russia in the first round, Bibissara Yerzhan in the second round, WCM Ngoc Uyen Duong of Vietnam in the third round, WCM Mokhinur Xikmatkhonova of Uzbekistan in the fifth round, WCM Lazizabonu Komiljonova of Uzbekistan in the eight round, Viktoria A Smirnova of Russia in the eleventh and final round.
She lost at the hands of WCM Kristina Zavivaeva of Russia in the fourth round, WCM Nika Venskaya of Belarus in the sixth round, Albina Kairbekova of Kazakhstan in the seventh round, WFM Khanzada Amanzhol, of Kazakhstan in the ninth round and Maria Kalugina of Russia in the tenth round.
WCM Nika Venskaya of Belarus ruled the tournament with 9.5 points, followed by Tong Thai Hoang An of Vietnam in solo second place with 9.0 points and WFM Khanzada Amanzhol of Kazakhstan in solo third place with 8.0 points.
WCM Zavivaeva Kristina of Russia, Albina Kairbekova of Kazakhstan and Maria Kalugina of Russia finished the tournament with similar 7.0 points while Duong Ngoc Uyen of Vietnam, WCM Lazizabonu Komiljonova of Uzbekistan, and WCM Mokhinur Xikmatkhonova of Uzbekistan have identical 6.5 points.
Proud Mother lawyer Nikki de Vega had something to say to her daughter.
"Watching Baby Nika’s journey has been a lesson in resilience. Two years ago, she placed 23rd at the World Cadet Rapid Chess Championships in Albania. Today, after a road fraught with challenges and tireless hard work, she stands as the 10th best in the world at the World Youth Rapid Chess Championships for Girls under 14 here in Vrnjacka Banja, Serbia.
We couldn’t be prouder of this immense growth, but the story isn’t over yet. This April 19, she carried the Philippine flag once more into the World Youth Blitz Chess Championships. Please keep her in your prayers as she fights to show the world the heart and power of a Filipina. Go Baby Nika," said lawyer De Vega, legal counsel of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) headed by Chairman/President Cong. Prospero Pichay Jr. (Marlon Bernardino)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
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