IN A groundbreaking achievement for Philippine chess, a 10-year-old girl has become the first female player to be awarded the title of National Master.

The National Chess Federation of the Philippines’ Chief Executive Officer, Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales, confirmed through a social media post on Saturday that Nika Juris Nicolas of Pasig City has been granted the prestigious National Master title.

Typically, the National Master title is bestowed upon male players who participate in open tournaments predominantly dominated by their male counterparts. Conversely, the Woman National Master title is reserved for female chess players who excel in competitions specifically for women.

What sets Nicolas apart is her participation in the boys’ and open divisions, where she consistently emerges victorious, challenging traditional gender expectations in the process. (ai/mtvn)