[Updated] November 5th is still a week away and already registrations have surpassed the numbers from its predecessor.

The Naperville North High School site in the western suburbs of Chicago promises easy access for many schools making this a wonderful team-building exercise -- and test of skills -- for many clubs just getting started during the 2016-2017 school year.

Already, advance registration for 1st Grade, 3rd, 5th, 6th, and 8th Grade sections have eclipsed the entries seen in Peoria in 2015. There are 39 high school entrants already versus 11 in 2015. 

Defending champions who have already signed up include Aidan Carey, William Cahill, Nicholas Ladan and Ishaar Ganesan.

Females are the highest-rated registrants in two sections: Ashley Yan (7th Grade) and Marissa Li (High School).

There are currently four Class A-rated players (1800-1999) entered.

Since many young players are just getting started with ratings, the design of the tournament is grade-based: entrants will only face players in their own natural grade (with the possibility of a combined high school competition).

Those interested in selection to the ICA's Warren Junior Scholars or Rising Stars programs should be aware of the requirement to participate in either the K-8's or the All-Grade championships in the prior year.

Although registration fees have gone up from the earliest possible discount, the cost is still less than some local tournaments charge -- and this is an officially-designated state championship! That title always looks good on the college application! Even playing in a state championship is pretty cool -- without having to jump through major hoops to qualify.

More information is available through the organizer website, Elite Chess or on the ICA calendar.

As this is a USCF-rated event, one-year US Chess memberships are also available for a discounted rate of $11: please fill out this form: https://goo.gl/forms/T8B9e9Gz8jy50RMx1.