With three GM's already signed up, FM Sam Schmakel and Women's International Master Viktorija Ni have thrown their hats into the ring for the 2017 Ilinois Open, a week and a day away.

The ICA is pleased to see 100 paid entries to date and expects to approximately double the size of the field before the tournament begins September 2 at the Crowne Plaza in Northbrook.

As a special feature, Organizer-Extraordinaire -- and US Chess Rulebook 6th Edition Editor Tim Just has agreed to conduct a free organizer workshop.

The one-hour seminar will provide insights on one of the most challenging endeavors known to mankind (other than playing chess, of course): chess tournament organizing. (If only I'd had the benefit of the workshop BEFORE I started organizing the Illinois Open!)

The workshop will be held Saturday, September 2 from 10am - 11am in the Chicago Room at the Crowne Plaza. Attendence is free -- but please provide the courtesy of advanced registration by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

In addition to regaling attendees with a few stories from many decades of organizing, Mr. Just promises to bring along copies of Just Law, an amazingly "user-friendly" guide to US Chess rules. With minimal arm-twisting, Mr. Just may be cooerced into signing a personalized copy for the purchaser.

The Labor Day Weekend Scholastic will take place on Saturday (9/2) only as will the Illinois Blitz Championships. Both are separate registrations.

So sign up now and join the fun in either the three-day or two-day event -- or for one of the many side events.  The Crown Plaza Northbrook will be the center of the Illinois chess world this Labor Day weekend and you don't want to miss it.