Announcements
ICA Tour to restart in 2024
- Details
- Written by Eva Harrison Eva Harrison
- Created: 07 October 2023 07 October 2023
In July, the ICA conducted a survey among chess players with the intention of getting feedback to help us improve and shape the future of the ICA. We listened and are bringing back the ICA Tour! Details to follow. Our first tour tournament will be the Tim Just Winter Open, which will be held at the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg from Friday, January 5 to Sunday, January 7, 2024.
ICA Elections - Nomination Period for 2023 Is Now Open!
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- Written by Eva Harrison Eva Harrison
- Created: 15 September 2023 15 September 2023
The ICA is pleased to announce the call for nominations for the five general members of the Board of Directors. Directors will take office on January 1, 2024 and serve a two-year term.
Who Is Eligible to Be Nominated?
Under the ICA Bylaws, directors must be residents of Illinois and members of the ICA. At least two at-large directors must reside in Cook County or the Collar Counties (DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will), and at least two must reside outside these counties.
Submitting Your Nomination
Any ICA member may submit a nomination. Self-nominations are also permitted and encouraged.
Nominations may be submitted by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Nominations must be seconded by 10 voting ICA members and the nominee must agree to serve. The deadline for submitting nominations is October 10, 2023.
ICA at the Illinois Open
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- Written by ICA Board ICA Board
- Created: 27 August 2023 27 August 2023
The Illinois Chess Association will have representation at the upcoming Illinois Open over Labor Day in Northbrook, IL. We plan to have a board member there for at least one round each day. Please stop by to talk about some exciting news such as our new Illinois Quick rated chess tournament, improved website and some very exciting new benefits coming to both our members and affiliates. There will be an Illinois Chess Association banner in place to help you find where to visit. Here is a copy of our flyer that we will be bringing to the event. Please come and play our great Illinois Open and find a few minutes to visit with one of the board members.
Patrick Cohen succeeds Sean Hennessy as ICA Secretary
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- Written by Stephen Plotnick Stephen Plotnick
- Created: 27 August 2023 27 August 2023
The Illinois Chess Association would like to welcome Patrick Cohen as our new Secretary. Patrick has been a part of the Illinois Chess Association board for several years and was our past president. He helped rebuild our board during some difficult times and has a great knowledge of Illinois Chess and our programs. We couldn't be more fortunate to have Patrick back on our Executive Board. I would like to personally thank Patrick for switching positions on our board. Patrick is currently a general board member from our downstate region. If anyone is interested in filling his former position, please contact me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Please welcome Patrick to his new position.
Stephen Plotnick
President, Illinois Chess Association
XXXIII Pan-American Youth Chess Festival 2023
- Details
- Written by Stephen Plotnick Stephen Plotnick
- Created: 31 July 2023 31 July 2023
The Illinois Chess Association is excited to inform the chess players of Illinois about the Pan-American Youth Chess Festival which will be held here in Chicago, Illinois starting August 11, 2023. We are very fortunate to be part of the first ever Pan-American Youth Chess held in the United States. A Chicago Organizer that is 2023 organizer of the year for US Chess, Renaissance Knights Chess Foundation, along with the International Chess School, the Confederation of Chess for America (CCA) and the US Chess Federation are pleased to invite all National Chess Federations of the Americas to the XXXIII Pan-American Youth Chess Festival Open and Girls from August 11 to 18, 2023 here in Chicago, Illinois at McCormick Place.