Filipino-American Megan Althea Obrero Paragua emerged champion in her age group and earned an outright Woman Fide Master (WFM) title by virtue of her excellent showing in the 33rd Pan-American Youth Chess Festival 2023 that concluded on Friday (Manila time) in Chicago, Illinois.

Paragua, who is based in New York, drew with Audrey Keyan Li of the USA in the last round to hike her nine-round total to 7.5 points on account of six wins and three draws to rule the girls 12-under category in standard time control (90 minutes plus 30 seconds increment) chess event.