Club News
December Chess Roundup
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- Written by Dan Leroy Dan Leroy
The holidays. A time to reflect on the year that was and the year that will be. To celebrate the season with family and friends.
The chess scene in Illinois is much like a family. Yes, it can be dsyfunctional at times, but there is definitely a lot of joy and cameraderie. A lot we can learn from one another. There were 15 tournaments within Illinois within the month of November. The largest of which was the 2011 All Grade tournament with 224 entrants. I'm sure tournament directors Jeff Wiewel and Wayne Zimmerle have at least an interesting story or two from the tournament.
Click below for a snapshot look at all the Illinois Tournaments that happened in November.
Chicago Latino Chess Championship XIX
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- Written by Keith Ammann Keith Ammann
The youngest entrant in this year's Chicago Latino Chess Championship, Elizabeth Rivera, was born in 2005. The oldest, Elisa Blancas, was born in 1920.
Having been assigned to two different sections, they didn't face each other across the board, except in a friendly game after the fifth and final round of the tournament. But if you're looking for an illustration of chess's enduring appeal, could you ask for a better one?
November Chess Roundup
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- Written by Daniel Leroy Daniel Leroy
November reminds me of gratitude. Here's just a few of mine: family, friends, Pilgrims, Indians, teachers, doctors, musicians, comedians,writers, and sacrifices of those who have fought for our freedoms.
I'll admit it's easy for me to overlook the time and energy that a lot of people have put into chess. There really is a lot to be grateful for in Illinois Chess. This list is not all inclusive, but a few things I'm grateful for: Tournament Directors, Players, Tournament Organizers, ICA board, Chess Teachers, Bloggers, advocates for chess in schools, and parents who don't play but drive their kids to tournaments. It doesn't always get said, but "Thank You".
National Chess Day Chicago Community Tournament
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- Written by Keith Ammann Keith Ammann
Twenty-four kids and eight adults assembled at the Rudy Lozano Branch of the Chicago Public Library on Saturday, Oct. 8, for a community tournament in celebration of National Chess Day, an observance revived last year by the U.S. Chess Federation.
It might not have happened at all without Hector Hernandez.
When I left Freeport, where I helped found the Route 20 Chess Club two years ago, and returned to Chicago this August, I immediately began watching the ICA calendar to see whether anyone was planning a National Chess Day event in the Windy City. Weeks went by, and nothing appeared. Incredible!
Midwest Class Results
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- Written by Bill Brock Bill Brock
This weekend's 
results are in from Wheeling.
Master Section
Bulgarian Grandmaster and opening theoretician Atanas Kolev won the top section of the 20th Midwest Class Championship with a 4½-½ score. Kolev beating GM Dmitry Gurevich and Illinois Co-Champ Aun Thant Zin in rounds 3 and 4, and drawing Seth Homa of Michigan (who finished second with 4-1) in the final round. This section was a tough one for the most of the locals: Aun Thant Zin did beat GM Nikola Mitkov in round 3, and Mitkov and Gurevich were paired with each other in the last round.
Age is catching up with 96-year-old Erik Karklins. He lost all his games in the Expert Section: when he got a bye in round 4, he used the opportunity to play up to the Master Section, and beat NM James Ellis of Iowa.