News
Illinois Chess Community Loses Cindy Berry
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- Written by Joshua Flores Joshua Flores
- Created: 07 November 2015 07 November 2015
On Wednesday, November 4, 2015, the world lost a wonderful person and our chess community lost a remarkable supporter of our sport.
Cynthia (Cindy) Berry, beloved wife of National Master Vince Berry -- and one of Illinois' top 50 players -- quietly passed on while her husband and close friends surrounded her in support and love.
For detailed information regarding services please reference www.giancolafuneral.com .
FM Aung Zin Wins 2015 Illinois Senior Open
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- Written by Bill Feldman and Carl Dolson Bill Feldman and Carl Dolson
- Created: 05 November 2015 05 November 2015
With a fifth-round victory over Fred Allsbrook, FIDE Master Aung Zin has claimed the Illinois Senior Champion title at the 2015 Illinois Senior Open. Crosstables have been posted.
Only a fourth-round draw with FM Marc Lonoff kept Zin from the perfect score. Sharing second place with 4.0 / 5 were Lonoff and Class A-player Richard Easton.
The players competed in a single section, with prizes awarded to top scorers U1900, U1700, and U1500.
Chicago-native Emory Tate Passes Away at CA Tournament
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- Written by Bill Feldman Bill Feldman
- Created: 22 October 2015 22 October 2015
International Master Emory Tate, Jr. has passed away at the age of 56.
Tate was born on Chicago's westside but grew up in northern Indiana where years later the Emory Tate Extravaganza was being held in his honor. Still, the Chicago-area was home to many of Tate's amazing chess accomplishments.
Tributes are pouring in for the much-admired Tate who claimed more than 70 victories over grandmasters despite never achieving that status himself. His US Chess ratings peak was 2504 after the 1997 US Masters in Oak Brook when he tied for ninth place with authors Larry Kaufman and Josh Waitzkin, as well as Illinois' own Andrew Karklins, among others.
Morton Chess Instructor Saves 16 Children From Attacker
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- Written by Carl Dolson Carl Dolson
- Created: 16 October 2015 16 October 2015
76-year old chess instructor James Vernon is recovering from surgery after a Columbus Day knife attack at the Morton Public Library.
Vernon, a Caterpillar retiree, was holding a chess club at the Peoria-area library when a 19-year old knife-wielding intruder entered the room threatening to kill someone.
The quick-thinking coach calmed the intruder, and maneuvered between him and the room's door, allowing 16 children and three of their mothers to escape.
Just and Clark Publish Tell-All Book On Competitive Chess
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- Written by Bill Feldman Bill Feldman
- Created: 08 October 2015 08 October 2015
Illinois chess stalwarts Tim Just and Wayne Clark have published a hilarious and insightful look at the world of tournament chess.
The e-book is entitled My Opponent Is Eating a Doughnut (what else would you call such a book?) and it is available for a don't-think-twice-about-it price at Amazon.com as of October 2015.
The long-awaited easy-read chronicles dozens of amusing anecdotes from the hundreds of events organized or directed by the two US Chess National Tournament Directors (NTD's).
Besides the entertainment value, the book offers extremely valuable insights on the challenging art of directing -- and the science of playing in -- formal tournaments.