Filipino chess prodigy Nika Juris Nicolas eyes Woman International Master title

Manila---Filipino chess prodigy Nika Juris Nicolas is set to compete in tournaments abroad to accomplish her bid to become the country's next Woman International Master (WIM).

Nicolas currently holds the title of Woman Candidate Master but aims to secure the WIM title.

She is set to compete in the FIDE World Cadet & Youth Rapid & Blitz Chess Championships 2026 take place April 14-21, 2026 at the Hotel Zepter Conference Hall in Vrnjačka Banja, Serbia, bringing together the world’s most talented young players for an international festival of fast-paced chess. The event crowns official world champions across six age categories in both Rapid and Blitz formats, offering young competitors a prestigious global stage to test their speed, calculation, and resilience against top peers from every continent.

" I hope to do well in this event," said the amiable Nicolas, one of the guests in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) Opening and Awarding Ceremony held at Quezon City Sports Club on Friday, April 10, 2026.

She is also scheduled to represent the country in the upcoming FIDE World Youth Chess Championships scheduled on June 14-27, 2026 in Montesilvano, Italy.

Fondly called Baby Nika in the chess world is fresh from winning the National Youth & Schools Chess Championships held in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental from March 19-23,2026.

She won a medal of 2 Golds and 1 Bronze.

The 13 years old NM Nicolas dominated the Under 17 Rapid Girls Division to emerge as champion.

More importantly, NM Nika is undefeated in all 18 rounds of Standard, Rapid and Blitz.

Three years ago, Nicolas was slowly establishing herself as the future of Philippine chess, after being conferred by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) under the leadership of chairman/president Cong. Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr. with the title of National Master.

The recognition is usually given to male players but Nicolas challenged herself further as she joined a tournament dominated by male athletes, and eventually succeeded.This earned the young prodigy the title, making her the first female chess player to earn the distinction.

This earned the young prodigy the title, making her the first female chess player to earn the distinction.

Nicolas also made history the youngest National Master at the age of 10.

It shall be recalled that Nicolas was the only female participant during the Boys Under 11 Division of the National Youth and Schools Chess Championships Grand Finals held in Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte dated June 2 to 9, 2023.

She went home with silver in Standard and Blitz events, and a bronze in Rapid.

She also emerged as the champion in the Under 11 Boys Division of the NCFP National Eliminations in Negros Occidental from March 24 to 27, 2023.

Her exceptional performance in the boys' division secured her place in Philippine chess history as the country's first and only female National Master.

NM Nika is the daughter of Atty. Krisanto Karlo Nicolas and Atty. Nikki de Vega who is also the legal counsel of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines.

Backed up by Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, the coaches of Pasig City resident NM Nicolas included GM Jayson Gonzales, WGM Janelle Mae Frayna, Lourecel Ecot Hernandez , Franco Camillo and Raul Damuy. DS

WCM/WNM Nika Juris Nicolas and Asia's First Grandmaster Eugene Torre

Coach Raul Damuy and WCM/WNM Nika Juris Nicolas.