In the first quarter of 2023, Illinois Chess Association board member Joseph Guth of Rockford proposed a number of new events. The first of these was readily received and approved. The board decided National Chess Day, Saturday - October 14th, would be the perfect date. Thus the birth of the 2023 Illinois Quick Chess Championship.

Josh Flores (chess professional and purveyor of Squarehopper Chess Events) offered to organize, promote, and direct. After some discussion regarding certain details, the board agreed.

Mr. Flores has a long history as a player, teacher, organizer, director, and promoter of the game. He has served as editor of the now defunct bimonthly printed Illinois Chess Bulletin. Other roles he has performed: merchandiser, tournament bulletin editor, chess club owner/operator/chief organizer/director, and ICA secretary (three non-consecutive terms). Mr. Flores has organized and directed various Illinois Chess Opens, Illinois Chess Classes, and Denker qualifiers. He also has been on staff for several National events - Opens and Scholastics (such as this year’s All-Girls event at the Palmer House Downtown Chicago). He also was a pairing TD for many in the past school year for Renaissance Knights’ CPS program.

Mr.  Flores has also been a proponent of bringing chess to the Southside and southwest suburbs of Chicagoland. So it is no surprise that this exciting event will happen at a venue which has a long chess history: Joliet Junior College.

The details for this one-day opportunity for you to earn a state champion title can be found on Il-chess.org, kingregistration.com, and new.uschess.org.

Support the continuing effort to bring chess to more Illinois residents by planning to play.