Megan Paragua, a Filipino American, created history by winning in both the Under-12 Rapid and Blitz Chess events at the 2024 World Cadet Rapid and Blitz Championships held in Albania.
Key points:
- The competition, which took place in late April, had almost 300 participants.
- Her success has become a source of pride for the Filipino American community and is inspiring for young chess enthusiasts. chess players.
- Coming from a family deeply involved in chess, her father is a chess coach, and her uncle is a grandmaster and former world champion.
Here are the details:
- Paragua, a She holds the title of Woman FIDE Master and took part in the event in Durres, Albania from April 25 to 29. She secured two gold medals, trophies, and earned a total of 1,100 euros ($1,185) in prize money, which established her as the top player in the world in her age category for both Rapid and Blitz Chess.During her visit to the consulate on May 8, Paragua was congratulated by New York Consul General Senen Mangalile, who commended her achievements and offered his support.
- Her parents are from the province of Bulacan, and she aspires to become a National Chess Master and later an International Chess Master, receiving support from her father, a chess coach, and her mother, a dialysis technician.
- Her uncle, Mark Paragua, at 40, was also a world champion, becoming the youngest Filipino master at 9 and an International Master at 20. GMA News.
- Paragua shared this with grandmaster ABS-CBN News
- , expressing how chess has positively impacted her life: “It definitely changed because if I didn’t play chess, I wouldn’t have met any of those people. I probably wouldn’t have gone to that school. I wouldn’t go to those places.” Additionally, Aiden Li, a fellow Team USA member, secured first place in the Under-8 Blitz on tiebreaks. Regarding her future plans, Paragua has her sights set on upcoming competitions, such as the Chicago Open later this month and the U.S. Girls’ Junior Chess Championships in St. Louis, Missouri in July.
- Megan Paragua, a Filipino American, made history by achieving victory in both the Under-12 Rapid and Blitz Chess categories at the recent 2024 World Cadet Rapid and Blitz Championships in Albania.
Key points: bagged first place in the Under-8 Blitz on tiebreaks.
What’s next:
- Paragua now sets her eyes for future contests, including the Chicago Open later this month and the U.S. Girls’ Junior Chess Championships in St. Louis, Missouri in July.
