Michael Cardinale, a mainstay of efforts in recent years to strengthen the chess program and provide competitive opportunities for low income students in Chicago, will be honored by the Illinois Chess Association on July 22 as the recipient of this year’s Natalie W. Broughton Lifetime Achievement Award. The award is ICA’s top honor.
A banquet to honor Cardinale will be held at 2 PM on the 22nd at Maggiano’s Little Italy Restaurant, 516 N. Clark St., Chicago. Tickets are $40 for adults ($24 ages 5-11, $50/$30 after July 15) and may be purchased online at http://www.kingregistration.com/event/icabanquet18.
Cardinale has been active in Illinois chess since 1997, starting as a coach at Gale Elementary School on Chicago’s north side. He went on to serve as a board member and officer of three major chess organizations. In 2002, he began a 15-year run as president of the Youth Chess Foundation of Chicago, running 86 free tournaments in all parts of the city which in recent years have averaged more than 300 participants each.
In 2010, Michael accepted a position on the Board of ICA, serving until 2014 as its Metro Vice President. He was a leader in the efforts to upgrade the chess program in Chicago, working tirelessly with multiple CPS administrations to get a stronger program into place. In 2014, he became one of the first board members of the Chicago Chess Foundation, where he continues to serve as treasurer and a member of its Executive and Program Committees.
Cardinale was honored by CCF a year ago, when he stepped down as chief tournament director.
“No one has done more to provide chess opportunities for kids in Chicago schools than Mike,” said Jerry Neugarten, formerly on ICA’s board and now the Vice President of CCF. “Beyond what he has achieved,” said Neugarten, “Mike is also, always, a consummate gentleman.”
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