As soon as a four-year-old Nico set his eyes on a chess board in New York City’s Union Square Park, he began to dedicate a significant measure of his life to chess. Nico’s mission since an early age has been to share his love for the game that transformed his life. Chess has afforded Nico an opportunity to play tournaments in over ten countries and to develop a community of friends across the US and the world. Though he relishes competitive chess, he believes that the creativity, analytical rigor, and sheer fun inherent in the game can benefit everyone. He has found that chess allows him to problem-solve and to take responsibility for his mistakes and missteps. These lessons translate not just into over-the-board play but also into scholastic pursuits and the intricacies of everyday life. In his free time, Nico enjoys following sports, coding, and playing with his labradoodle, Vinnie. Nico also is an avid activist for human rights and climate justice.

Nico’s major chess achievements include:

• 2022: Winner of US Cadet championship (an invitational tournament for the top 8 players U16), National High School Co-Champion, New York State High School Champion, achieved peak FIDE rating of 2429, and received all three norms for International Master title
• 2021: 9th Grade National Champion
• 2019: Greater New York Junior High Champion
• 2018: Bronze medal at World Cadets Chess Championship U12, K-5 National Champion, New York State Junior High Co-Champion
• 2017:  Gold Medal at Pan American Youth Championships U12, K-5 National Co-Champion, Greater New York Elementary Champion
• 2016: New York State Elementary Champion
• 2015: 3rd Grade National Champion, Greater New York K-3 Champion
• 2014: 2nd Grade National Champion, New York State K-1 Champion, Greater New York K-1 Champion
• Member of the US Chess Federation’s All-America Team, one of the highest honors for junior chess players, every year since 2016