July Chess Fireworks Roundup

During July, you may think of the founding of our country, grilling, and the flag. A few hundred Illinois players also thought of chess. And the fireworks metaphor held up for a few of these players over the board. Here's a summary of some of the tournaments and results that happened around the state during the first couple weeks in July.

July 1-4 : 104 chess players travelled to Skokie, IL to participate in the Continental Americas Amateur Class Championships Tournament. Crosstable. 

July 2nd and 3rd: 47 people played in the All American Double Class Tournament in Oakbrook, IL. Crosstable.

NM Aleksandar Stamnov scored an impressive 4½-½ to take clear first in Larry Cohen's All American Double Class, held July 2-3 in Oak Brook. IM Angelo Young, FM Albert Chow, NM Peter Gilruth, and NM Kevin Cao tied for second, a full point back. Zhaozhi Li and Andrew Pheasant tied for first in the A/B section with 4-1 scores. Rudy Padilla and Jordan Nach shared B/C honors, also with 4-1. And Andrew Hochstadt's undefeated 4-1 score was good for clear first in the E/Unrated division. On July 9th: 27 players came out to the Route 20 Chess Club in Freeport, IL to celebrate the completion of its first year of rated tournaments. Crosstables.

On July 10th: Renaissance Knights had 92 players at their 67th Knight Quest Tournament in Northbrook, IL. Crosstables.

Unofficial congratulations.....to the newest National Master in Illinois, Sam Schmakel of Whitney Young High School! Sam was the top Illinois finisher at the Continental Americas Amateur Class Championships.