Registrations Mounting for Labor Day Scholastic

The 2015-2016 school year kicks off with an annual favorite, the Labor Day Scholastic, held in conjunction with the 2015 Illinois Open. The event is indeed held during the weekend of Labor Day but on Saturday (9/5).

Early discounted entry fee remains available online through 6pm Friday (9/4). That process can be accessed here.

Complete details are available on the ICA site here. A portion of the net proceeds supports the ICA.

The five-round competition features two sections: Under 1200 and Under 700.

USCF membership is required. For those needing to renew or requiring a first time membership, the ICA has a special offering: $15 includes both ICA membership as well as USCF membership. Depending on age, Regular USCF membership alone is usually $17, $22 or $26 so this is a great deal.

To take advantage of this special rate for the Labor Day Scholastic or while the limited supply of such memberships remain, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. If you wish have the membership processed for this weekend, please send an email before the 6pm Friday early registration cut off... or arrive at the tournament site by 11:00am.

Quick chess is not ideal for players who like to analyze every move deeply, but this format allows up and coming players to get in five rounds of competitive play in one afternoon. Rounds are slated to start at noon and every hour thereafter with conclusion by 5pm. A short awards ceremony will follow with ten trophies available per section.

Every single participant will receive an award.

Since the time control is Game/25 with no delay, taking of notation is not required, although it is always recommended until either player has less than five minutes left on the clock.

Contrary to the tournament announcement, all equipment will be provided. This will be a perfect first tournament if a child has never played in a USCF rated event before. Entrants must be under 18 or provide proof of high school enrollment.

As of this posting, only three registrants have ratings above 1000, and none of those are above 1050, so the competition should be wide open.

Hope to see you at the Northbrook Crowne Plaza Saturday for the first scholastic chess challenge of the new school year.