Following a five-year absence, the Illinois Chess Tour will return in 2012, with a new format intended to emphasize participation and revitalize over-the-board play between metro Chicago and downstate players.

Ten premier events will be featured beginning with the 26^th edition of the Tim Just Winter Open this January. Also included will be two events in Peoria; one in Springfield; one in the Bloomington/Normal area; and five more in the metro Chicago area, including the Chicago Open, Illinois’ largest event; and the ICA-sanctioned state championship event, the Illinois Open.

An estimated $1600.00 in cash and prizes will be awarded in both performance and participation categories.

Two sponsors have been secured for the 2012 season. Our major sponsor will be the Continental Chess Association, headed by Bill Goichberg. The CCA is the organizer of three Tour events, including the aforementioned Chicago Open. Also sponsoring will be Marbles: The Brain Store, an expanding chain of retail shops that emphasize products (games, puzzles, software, books, etc.) intended to promote brain health.

Marbles’ sponsorship will take the form of a Tour kick-off event at their Grand Avenue store on Saturday, October 29^th , 2011. The event will feature a simultaneous exhibition by National Master, reigning National High School champion, and Chicago Blaze player Eric Rosen. During the event, proceeds from the sale of merchandise at Marbles will be shared with the Tour. Details of this event will be coming soon!

If you have any questions, or if you wish to assist ICA’s Tour effort, please contact me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. In the coming months, we will be working on a dedicated Tour webpage where further details will be made available.