Qualifications

New Qualifications for 2025

The Warren Junior Scholar and ICA Rising Stars program starts January 1 and ends December 31.

To be chosen as a Warren Junior Scholar, students must be residents of Illinois and meet the following criteria:

List USCF as their FIDE federation, or be enrolled full-time in an Illinois school.
Membership in the Illinois Chess Association.
For high school players (entering grades 9-12), have a minimum USCF established (non-provisional) rating of 1800.
For players entering 6^th - 8th grade, have a minimum USCF established (non-provisional) rating of 1600.
For players entering K-5th grade, have a minimum USCF established (non-provisional) rating of 1400.
Players entering Grade 4 and up must have played at least 10 regularly-rated games (not quick-rated only) in open tournaments. (Note: if a player is unable to meet this requirement, the WJS/RS Director may all consider alternate tournaments or activities if requested.)
Players being listed on the USCF Top 100 List (at the discretion of the WJS Director).
All players must have participated in at least two of the following tournaments in the last year: Illinois Class, Illinois Open, Illinois All-Grade Championship, Illinois K-8 Championship, other ICA-sponsored tournaments, any tournament on the Illinois chess tour, National K-12’s, and/or respective spring Nationals. (Note: if a player is unable to meet this requirement, the WJS/RS Director may all consider alternate tournaments or activities if requested.)

To be chosen as an ICA Rising Star, students must be residents of Illinois and meet the following criteria:

List USCF as their FIDE federation.
Membership in the Illinois Chess Association.
For high school players (entering grades 9-12), have a minimum USCF established (non-provisional) rating of 1400.
For players entering 6th- 8th grade, have a minimum USCF established (non-provisional) rating of 1200.
For players entering K-5th grade, have a minimum USCF established (non-provisional) rating of 1000.
Players entering Grade 4 and up must have played at least 10 regularly-rated games (not quick-rated only) in open tournaments. (Note: if a player is unable to meet this requirement, the WJS/RS Director may all consider alternate tournaments or activities if requested.)
All players must have participated in at least two of the following tournaments in the last year: Illinois Class, Illinois Open, Illinois All-Grade Championship, Illinois K-8 Championship, other ICA-sponsored tournaments, any tournament on the Illinois chess tour, National K-12’s, and/or respective spring Nationals. (Note: if a player is unable to meet this requirement, the WJS/RS Director may all consider alternate tournaments or activities if requested.)

The Director of the Warren Junior Scholar/ICA Rising Star Program, at their discretion, from time-to-time may:

Invite players into the WJS/RS learning activities, based upon their activities related to chess, including but not limited to mid-year ratings and tournament play. These players will not carry the title of Warren Junior Scholar or ICA Rising Star for the current year.
Invite players that are home-schooled, may have graduated early, or are full-time enrolled students in Illinois with an alternate FIDE federation, and may not have a formal school grade designation, but by age and USCF rating meet the Warren Junior Scholar or ICA Rising Star criteria.
Remove or suspend a player for behavior or conduct detrimental to the program, including improper family/parent behavior. This can be appealed to the ICA Board.
Use discretion to adjust requirements due to individual circumstances or due to significant chess participation and contributions.

Please note:

The requirements have changed any player who were previously in the Warren Junior Scholar or Rising Star Program will not be excluded.

Illinois Chess Association, Inc.