News
Tim Just Winter Open 2024
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- Written by Jacob Plotnick - Staff Writer Jacob Plotnick - Staff Writer
- Created: 10 January 2024 10 January 2024
The Illinois Chess Association would like to congratulate Bill Buklis for successfully running the initial tournament of the 2024 year for the Illinois Chess Tour. The 40th annual Tim Just Winter Open was played from January 5th to January 7th and had six sections ranging from a U1300 to a Major section. There was a separate tournament on the 6th specifically for scholastic players with a further three sections. In total, the event had over 300 players.
Major
IM Sam Schmakel defeated Ankush Moolky in the final round to take outright first place. Tugstumur Yesuntumur drew Augusto Cesar Campos to tie for second place.
Click the image below to see the top games of round 5:
U2100
Bryce McClanahan was the outright winner with 4.5/5 points. Artemii Khanbutaey, Steven Napoli, Aidan Baker and Andrey Dmitriev tied for second with a score of 4/5 points.
U1900
Aaron Anderson beat Aayush Thakker and Memanth Samayamantri beat Jack Drucker in their last matches to tie for first with 4.5/5
U1700
Carl John Gibson beat Carmelo S Napoli to finish as the outright winner at 4.5/5. Carmelo ended with 4/5. Madison Lofts, Harrison Schilling and Nathaniel Bafia all joined Carmelo Carmelo in a four-way tie for second at 4/5.
U1500
There was a two-way tie for first between Kostandinos Skoufos and Alastar WIlliam Keely-Walker, both ended with 4.5/5.
U1300
Hector Guifarro won outright with a perfect 5/5. Hector beat Andy Barrientos who ended up in a five-way tie for second at 4/5.
Scholastic Under 1200
Owen Yang finished in first with an uncontested 5/5. Owen Beat Andy Yu who finished in a four-way tie for second at 4/5.
Scholastic Under 800
Silas Judge and Poojith Jada both won their final games to finish tied with 4.5/5.
Scholastic Under 500
There was another perfect 5/5 by Joshua Anderson. Joshua beat Joseph Zachary Taylow who finished in a four-way tie at 4/5.
The Illinois Chess Association would also like to recognize the following scholastic players for increasing their USCF rating by over 50 points:
Joahua Anderson (U500)
Calvin Rivas (U500)
Joseph Zachary Taylor (U500)
Pierce Kruse (U500)
Joel Jonathan Boodu (U500)
Silas Judge (U800)
Poojith Jada (U800)
Sairam Manimaran (U800)
Aidan Michael Cassidy (U800)
Jotin Samayamantri (U800)
Rogelio Jorge Diaz-Portales (U800)
Neeraj Movva (U800)
Aarav Varshney (U800)
Owen Yang (U1200)
Andy YU (U1200)
Saketh Viswanadha (U1200)
Dane Allen Cooper (U1200)
Kevin McAleenan (U1200)
Nilan Velu (U1200)
Anish Itagi (U1200)
Sahasvath Indla (U1200)
James Patrick Budd (U1200)
If you have any questions or comments, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
FIDE officials to visit Chicago
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- Written by Dr. Mikhail Korenman Dr. Mikhail Korenman
- Created: 04 May 2023 04 May 2023
On May 17-20, 2023, the Cook County Sheriff's Office and the International Chess Federation FIDE will co-host the first international Chess for Freedom conference (Chess in Prisons Project). Participants from around the world are planning to attend the conference to support the rapidly growing Chess for Freedom movement. More information about the program can be found at https://chessforfreedom.fide.com.
Arkady Dvorkovich, FIDE President, WGM Dana Reizniece-Ozola, Deputy Chair of the FIDE Management Board, and GM Victor Bologan, FIDE Executive Director, will be among the many conference participants. In October 2023, 85 teams from 46 countries participated in the 2nd Intercontinental Online Championship for Prisoners.
Chicago Chess Conference
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- Written by Hector R. Hernandez Hector R. Hernandez
- Created: 01 September 2022 01 September 2022
The conference brings together Chicago area private high schools, primarily Catholic schools. The purpose of the conference is to promote chess in Chicago area high schools and to provide match play for teams of member schools. Our member schools are Brother Rice, De La Salle Institute, DePaul College Prep, Latin, Leo, Marist, Mt. Carmel, St. Ignatius, St. Patrick, and St. Rita.
Each school fields a team of eight boards, consisting of the top players ranked by playing strength. Additionally, up to four alternate players are allowed to compete. At the end of the season, trophies are awarded to the best twenty-five players, tournament winners, and the top teams in the conference.
Our playing schedule for the season starts in early October with a blitz kick-off tournament. The following week, all teams start holding their scheduled matches. Half of our matches are played at home and half are away contests. We play our matches in Foglia Library, an ideal location, and a beautiful setting for intellectual pursuits.
In Memoriam: Jerry Neugarten
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- Written by ICA Board ICA Board
- Created: 10 August 2022 10 August 2022
Jerry Neugarten passed away peacefully at home on Monday. His wife Betsy was at his side.
In lieu of flowers, those who wish can make a donation in Jerry's honor to the US Chess Federation: https://new.uschess.org/give. As you know, he had a long-term passion for teaching chess to kids.
You may have seen Jerry's obituary here and a condensed version in the Chicago Tribune.
In Memoriam: Garrett Scott
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- Written by Darren Erickson Darren Erickson
- Created: 09 August 2022 09 August 2022
Garrett Scott, well known member of the Illinois chess community, passed away this week.
Garrett was a founding member of the Twin Cities Chess Club (also known as the Bloomington-Normal Chess Club) in 1967. Mr. Scott was a key member not only of the adult chess community but also coached many students over the years. He was an active part of Bloomington-Normal Area Scholastic Chess, the Illinois High School Association and Illinois Elementary School Association. He was a passionate civil rights advocate, having marched alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and was a founder of the annual MLK Day Scholastic Chess Tournament in Bloomington where he reminded all participants of the need to continue the struggle for civil rights. He also served on the Illinois Chess Association board including a period as President, previously served as an Executive Board member of the United States Chess Federation, and also served a term on the Normal City Council. He will be missed not only by family and friends but by multiple generations of chess players across the United States.
Garrett's obituary can be found at https://www.calvertmemorial.com/obituaries/Garrett-Scott?obId=25580024#/obituaryInfo