Filipina chess player Nika Juris Nicolas. Handout photo.

MANILA -- A young Filipina chess player is starting to make her mark in international circles.

Nika Juris Nicolas, 12, placed second in the Prague Open 2025 23rd International Chess Festival in the Czech Republic over the weekend.

Nicolas was initially tied for second with German Adreas Schindele, Czech Frantisek Korenek and Petr Hrebicek and Georgian Giorgi Bekauri in the event for players with a FIDE rating of 2000 and below.

All of them had seven points, but the Filipina took second place after emerging with the highest tiebreaker.

Greek Spyridon Ilandzis claimed the crown with 7.5 points.

Nicolas, who had six wins and two draws against a lone defeat, also came out as the best female player and No. 1 in the 1600-1699 rating category.

It was another international trophy for Nicolas after bringing home two in Chinese Taipei in June and in Krakow, Poland last year.

She earned praise from Woman Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna, who trains the prodigy.

"Nika is the most hardworking, and determined student I ever handled, she truly deserves these awards," said Frayna.

Nicolas will suit up for another meet in Marienbad also in Prague next week.