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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Chess wiz Nika Juris Nicolas becomes National Master

Chess wiz Nika Juris Nicolas becomes National Master

Published Jun 15, 2023 05:59 am
By MARK REY MONTEJO
Nika Juris Nicolas emerged as one of the country's brightest chess prospects after being conferred as the first female National Master by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines last week. *Nika Juris Nicolas (second from left) is flanked by (from left) National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Grandmaster and CEO Jayson Gonzales, mother and NCFP's legal counsel Atty. Nika De Vega, and father Atty. Krisanto Karlo Nicolas during the awarding ceremony. (NCFP's Facebook post)*


The 10-year-old prodigy became the first and only female chess player to ever receive the norm which is usually given to male chessers after displaying great talent that is beyond her age. Proving her potential, Nicolas was recently hailed as champion in the Under-11 boys division of the National Youth Chess Chess and Schools Championships Grand Finals. She was the only girl participant in the category. Nicolas also bagged the silver medal in blitz and standard, and bronze in rapid. The pride of Pasig is now set to compete in the ASEAN Age Group Chess Championships in Thailand on June 17-27.
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