Girls Invade Northbrook For '14 Nationals

Although relocated from downtown Chicago, the 2014 National All-Girls Championship returns to Illinois this week.

The six round, six section event convenes Friday, April 11 at the Crown Plaza Hotel Northbrook. In addition to earning a national title, winners of each section qualify for the 2014 World Youth Championships, to be held in South Africa.

The Under 20 section has been eliminated but organizer David Heiser reports more than 300 pre-registrations have been received in U18 through U8 classifications. Heiser promises this will be the fourth year in a row of increasing participation. The 2013 All-Girls fielded 280 players with more than three-quarters of the competitors registered from outside of Illinois.

The tournament is a joint production of the Kasparov Chess Foundation in association with the Renaissance Knights Chess Foundation and the US Chess Federation. 

Preceded by bughouse and blitz side events and an opening ceremony, the first round kicks off at 6:30 pm Friday. Registrations are still being accepted at the rate of $95. 

More information regarding this event can be found in the ICA Scholastic Event calendar found here.