IPINAGKALOOB ng National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) ang titulong Woman National Master (WNM) kay PH chess wunderkind Nika Juris Nicolas nitong Miyerkoles, Pebrero 22.
Sa kasalukuyan, ang 10-anyos na si Nicolas ang pinakabatang WNM sa bansa. Siya ay anak nina Atty. Nikki De Vega at Atty. Krisanto Karlo Nicolas.
Sa loob ng isang taon, ang dating nagsisimula pa lang na chess player ay namulaklak tungo sa pagiging National champion, Asian Youth medalist, Eastern Asia silver medalist, Woman Candidate FIDE Master at Batang Pinoy champion.
“I am glad I was able to perform well in the tournament and become a National Master,” sabi ni Nika na Grade 5 pupil sa Victory International School sa Pasig City.
Si Nicholas ay nakatakdang lumahok sa National Age Group Chess Championship Elimination sa Marso 3-5 sa Tagaytay City.
“Our family is immensely grateful to all those who cheered and prayed with us whether boisterously or silently. Likewise, we wish to express our appreciation to the unsung heroes – the coaches, teachers and mentors of Nika namely coach Lourecel Hernandez Ecot , coach Von Carlson Francisco, Raul Miguel Damuy , The Chess Castle, Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence, WGM Janelle Frayna, GM Jayson Gonzales and all the other chess players who took time to play with Nika and point out areas for improvement,” sabi ng ina ni Nika na si Atty. De Vega.
MARLON BERNARDINO
