Event Preview
24th Chicago Open Kicks Off Today
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- Written by Bill Feldman Bill Feldman
The 24th Chicago Open promises to have something for everyone over the course of five days. The jewel of the Continental Chess Association's midwest circuit begins May 21 for Open Section players only. 4-day, 3-day and 2-day options begin tomorrow for the other seven sections.
20 Grandmasters are already pre-registered with hours to go before the event launches. American GM's such as Daniel Naroditsky, Samuel Sevian, Josh Friedel and Conrad Holt join international GM's Illia Nyzhnyk, Andrey Stukopin and Bartiomiej Macieja.
Illinois may be fielding the most GM's it has ever seen in this event with Boris Avrukh, Vladamir Georgiev, Nikola Mitkov, Dmitry Gurevich and Mesgen Amanov all registered.
Nearly 700 entrants have signed up with over 100 in the Open. Registration remains open at this hour.
Once again, GM John Fedorowicz will entertain the masses with free game analysis and many entertaining stories involving chess legends.
Illinois-Iowa Scholastic & All-Ages: April 11
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- Written by Gary Nordick Gary Nordick
Go west, young man! And females! And older players too!
Rivermont Collegiate, a K-12 college prep school in Bettendorf, Iowa, is teaming up with the Illowa Bi-State Chess Club to stage a USCF-rated chess (scholastic) tournament on Saturday, April 11.
This event is open to all chess players from Kindergarten through 12th grade. All that is required is enough knowledge of chess to play the game. That is, you don't have to be an expert. All players will receive a chess memento. Top three in K-4, 5-8, 9-12 will receive trophies. If there are enough entrants, trophies will be added to the mix.
Illinois Juniors Hit ISU's Bone Center for K-8 Championships
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- Written by Bill Feldman Bill Feldman
It's all systems go for the 2015 K-8 Championships March 7 and 8 at the Bone Center on the campus of Illinois State University. Registrations are being accepted up through 9pm Friday, March 6 either onsite or through the designated website.
More information is available on the Bloomington Normal Area Scholastic Chess organization's website.
Competition will kick off Friday with side events including Blitz and Bughouse.
The main event spans two days will include seven rounds of non-elimination competition in four sections, based on grade level: K-1, 2-3, 4-5 and 6-8. The event is USCF-rated.
Chess Without Borders Hosting Charity Event
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- Written by Bill Feldman Bill Feldman
Today is the last day to enjoy the lowest rate for the Chess Without Borders'Grove Avenue School charity event, but registration continues.
CWB is holding a tournament February 28 with something for everyone in four sections. Time control is Game/30 with five rounds in each.
Dr. Kiran Frey and Grandmaster Yury Shulman are behind Chess Without Borders. Said Dr. Frey, "Chess Without Borders has been deeply involved in supporting two longstanding charities.
2014 Illinois Class Championships
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11/23/2014
A State Championship Event! --- An Illinois Chess Tour Event!
!-Discounted Entry Ends after
Sunday, Nov 16th!
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4SS: G/60, d5.
Full Line Up of Events Accepting Registrations for 8/16 & 8/17; Illinois Chess Tour Returns To Peoria
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- Written by Bill Feldman Bill Feldman
Some weekends it seems like the chess calendar aligns on a single large event and all eyes are focused there. Then there are times such as next weekend where everywhere you look, there's a fantastic tournament available for all tastes and abilities.
Nine Eight different tournaments in all, all to be rated by the USCF, all occuring between Friday, August 15 through Sunday, August 17, most are one-day, with a two-day state championship.
The 2014 Illinois Chess Tour travels to downstate Peoria for the eighth of twelve stops. Saturday's Bradley Summer Open features a $1000 guaranteed prize fund covering two sections: Open and Reserve, both providing Game/80, 5-second delay time controls.
60th Iowa Open: Early Registration Continues for 2-day Open August 16-17, 1-day RBO and Reserve
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- Written by Bill Feldman Bill Feldman
Illinois' neighbors to the west will be hosting a diverse chess weekend August 15-17 with something for everyone.
The Iowa State Chess Association, an affiliate of the Illinois Chess Association, is the sponsoring organization with Mark Capron and Bill Broich serving as Chief TD's. The events are being held at the Marriot Hotel and Conference Center in Coralville, IA, just northwest of Iowa City. Estimated travel time from Chicago is 3.5 hours.
Early registration discounts are still available through August 11 and IM's and GM's receive free entry into the Open (with entry fee deducted from winnings). Organizers are even offering discounts for out-of-state residents -- and waiving the membership requirement for the IASCA (although membership does have its privileges).