Club News
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.
Chicago Amateur Chess Tournament
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- Written by Mikhail Korenman Mikhail Korenman
The first Chicago Amateur Chess Tournament was held on September 24th. The tournament was organized by the International Educational and Cultural Services, Inc and was hosted by the Ridge Academy, a small independent school in Beverly area of Chicago.
Chicago Amateur tournament is open for all players rated below 2200 and has three sections:
Section A – USCF 1600 – 2199
Section B – USCF 1000 – 1599
Section C – Unrated – Under 1000.