Megan Paragua | Contributed photo
NEW YORK — Filipino American chess standout FM Megan Althea Paragua added another milestone to her fast‑rising career after finishing with the top score at the 2026 New York State High School Chess Championship, held February 28 to March 1 in Saratoga Springs. The 13‑year‑old FIDE Master scored 4.5 points in six rounds, securing a share of first place in one of the most competitive scholastic tournaments in the United States.
Paragua capped her run with a solid final‑round draw on Board 1 against FM Aditeya Das, a 2374‑rated opponent from Stuyvesant High School. Her performance anchored Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School’s strong showing and reaffirmed her status as one of the nation’s most formidable young players.
The championship title comes just weeks after Paragua opened her 2026 season with a victory at the NY Marshall Winter IM C Tournament, where she defeated Bulgarian player Gergana Peycheva in a Sicilian Defense matchup — her first confirmed tournament win of the year.
A rising star shaped by Filipino chess heritage
Born in New York on December 10, 2012, Paragua grew up in a household steeped in chess tradition. She is the niece of Grandmaster Mark Paragua, one of the Philippines’ most accomplished players, and began training under her father, Jan Vincent Paragua, at an early age. Her Filipino roots remain central to her identity, with the family hailing from Marilao, Bulacan.
Her competitive ascent accelerated in 2023 when she earned the title Woman FIDE Master (WFM) after a strong showing at the Pan-American Youth Chess Festival in Chicago. By 2024, she captured global attention after winning double gold—Rapid and Blitz—in the FIDE World Cadet Championships (Girls U12) in Albania, becoming the first Filipino to sweep both titles in the same year.
Building on a historic foundation
By 2025, Paragua crossed the 2300 FIDE rating mark and earned the title FIDE Master (FM), placing her among the youngest players in the United States to reach that level. She also secured a podium finish at the Weeramantry National Blitz, going undefeated with five wins and three draws.
Now competing regularly in classical, rapid, and blitz formats, Paragua continues to balance elite training with her studies at Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School. Her co‑championship at the 2026 New York State High School Championship signals a powerful start to her season — and a clear indication that she remains one of the brightest young talents in global chess.
