Ice Harbor Scholastic Entry Fee Increasing April 1: No Joke

 

The premier midwest scholastic championship is just over a month away, this year taking place April 29 & 30 in Dubuque, Iowa. Once again, the Ice Harbor Scholastic will be hosted at the Grand Harbor Resort on the banks of the mighty Mississippi.

This year's event features six rated sections and one section (K-6) where no USCF membership is required.

With the placement of the Denker / Barber / Girls Invitationals the previous weekend, it's hoped that Illinois will have strong representation in the Masters and Experts section. That competition is also FIDE-rated with generous Game/90; 30-second increment time controls.

This really is a tournament with something for everyone.

Players through Grade 12 are invited to participate in a K-12 Open and Reserve (U1200). Younger players can choose between the K-6 Open, the K-3 Open or the K-6 Reserve (U800).

Organizer James Hodina of Iowa has once again lined up a whole host of side events including Bughouse, Friday Night Blitz, and rated as well as a non-rated Friends and Family competitions.

Recent Illinois winners of the absolutely gigantic trophies include Sarah Grandy and Gabe Panner -- and Illinois hopes to make a sizeable haul in the trophy department this time around.

Entrants from Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa have so far dominated the awards in prior years, but it's hoped that Illinois players will see this as a wonderful warm up -- if not substitute -- for SuperNationals occurring two weeks later in Nashville, TN.

A comparison of costs and features is provided below:

Event	Ice Harbor Scholastic	Super Nationals
Hotel	Grand Harbor Resort	Gaylord Opryland Resort
Location	Dubque, IA	Nashville, TN
Hotel Rate	$119	$161
Special Feature	Water Park	Indoor River / Boat
Feature Cost	Water Park passes included	Tour cost not included
Sponsor	Chess In Iowa	US Chess
Expected Entries	150 - 200	5500 - 6000
Current Entry Fee	$55	$50
Onsite Entry	$70	$90
Dates	April 28 - 30	May 11 - 14
Next Deadline	April 1	April 24
Miles from Chicago	179	470
Grades Invited	K-12	K-12
Side Event Cost	$10	$15 - $25
Club Teams Allowed?	YES !!!	No
FIDE-rated Masters    and Experts section?	YES !!!	No

 

Both events are listed on the ICA calendar.