Grandmaster Nikola Mitkov is the third grandmaster to confirm participation in the 2017 Illinois Open scheduled to kick off September 2 in Northbrook.
The FIDE- and USCF-rated event offers an Open and a Reserve (Under 1800) section and two- and three-day options. (The two day option is Sunday 9/3 and Monday 9/4 -- sorry, you don't get to pick any two days as one registrant requested).
The lowest registration rate is $92 for ICA members -- $5 more for non-members -- but that rate goes away as of midnight Friday (8/11).
GM Mitkov has been a co-champion of the Illinois Open three times: in 2012, 2013 and 2015.
Complete details of the tournament are posted elsewhere on the ICA site at http://www.il-chess.org/ilopen2017
There will also be the Illinois Blitz Championship and a Saturday afternoon, quick-rated scholastic tournament.
Something for everyone!
The host Crowne Plaza hotel is still honoring the $94 room rate with FREE breakfast thrown in. Use Code ILL to qualify.
The Illinois Open represents the last opportunity to join the 2017 Illinois Chess Tour with a whole slate of prizes available for that at the end of the year.
Sam Schmakel leads the Open section of the tour with 17.0 points, two points ahead of Angelo Young.
Philip McCully leads the Reserve with 20.0, a half-point ahead of Hiro Higuchi.
Kevin Ho holds an impressive 5.0 lead in the Scholastic Reserve with 21.0 points.
Five places are available for awards in each of the three sections.
Tour standings are available here.