News
CCF Launches Coaching Marketplace Website
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- Written by Bill Feldman Bill Feldman
- Created: 13 June 2017 13 June 2017
The Chicago Chess Foundation has launched a Coaching Marketplace under their existing website at ChicagoLandChess.org.
Coaches can submit their information -- and potential students can access the data -- for free.
The website is http://chicagolandchess.org/resources/marketplace/
The ICA maintains its own statewide listing of coaches -- and tournament staffing -- at http://il-chess.org/coaches-and-tds-155.
Question of the Day: Have You Always Wanted to Be a TD?
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- Written by Bill Feldman Bill Feldman
- Created: 16 May 2017 16 May 2017
Have you wondered what the crazy letters "TD" stands for? (Sorry, in this context, I don't mean touchdown!)
Have you laid awake at night pondering how those people who resolve disputes and keep things moving along at chess tournaments got their clearly high paying and powerful jobs?
Well, I'm sure each and every TD has their own answer to that question but it's never too late to get started in this exciting and rewarding "career" (although if you actually begin to think of it as a vocation instead of a hobby, you probably need some career advice).
ICA Recognizes, Applauds Chess Moms on Their Special Day
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- Written by Bill Feldman Bill Feldman
- Created: 14 May 2017 14 May 2017
It's been over a decade since I lost my own mother, but the Illinois chess community has in many ways been a second mother to me. The support of many has gotten me through the loss of my father within the past year, and I'm humbled with appreciation.
I've often wondered where chess would be without the chess moms out there who wait patiently for their little bundles of joy to emerge from the tournament room. Long before the tell-tale thumbs up or down is flashed for the benefit of others, these chess moms can tell by the way their sons or daughters carry themselves what the result at the board has been.
Notes From Nashville: The Diary of a Chicago Chess Coach
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- Written by Bill Feldman Bill Feldman
- Created: 14 May 2017 14 May 2017
Chicago Public School teacher and Newton Bateman Elementary Chess Coach Adam Geisler has been kind enough to share his "coaches notebook" from Nashville, TN where his team is competing in SuperNationals VI. Over 90 Illinois schools are competing and the ICA would love to hear from all their coaches (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
Heading into Day 1: Bateman will have 11 players, which is our largest contingent to date for a national tournament. To prepare, we have been busy with tactics puzzles, tournament strategy and game analysis, including some gems from the recent Lozano Spring Scholastic tournament. Here's hoping for some great results!
Heading into Day 2: "It's not WHO you play; it's HOW you play."
Chicago Tribune Columnist Applauds CCF Efforts
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- Written by Bill Feldman Bill Feldman
- Created: 03 May 2017 03 May 2017
Chicago Tribune Columnist Mary Schmick has profiled CPS Teacher Candice Usher and her efforts at teaching chess to Fuller Elementary School students. Schmick continues on by applauding the Chicago Chess Foundation and former ICA Youth Chairperson Jerry Neugarten: Reprint of Mary Schmick column, 4/30/17
Although CCF has made some progress this past year, a Tribune reader subsequently has written lamenting the pace of progress at CPS -- and reminiscing upon past efforts to spread chess through the public schools: Tribune Letter, May 3, 2017
May 4 is designated as a charitable giving day so why not help support the growth of chess through a donation through the CCF or the ICA?