WCM Natalie Wisniowski of Chicago has placed in the top five at the 2017 North American Youth Open in New Jersey. Ms. Wisniowski compiled a 5.5/9 score in the Under 12 section, closing out with three straight wins.

The lone Illinois entrant in the event drew the eventual champion, Annapoorni Meiyappan, in the first round, and wound up with four wins and three draws out of nine rounds.

Ms. Wisniowski earned her Women's Candidate Master title from FIDE after participating in the 2016 event in Canada.

She actually placed in a six-way tie for fourth place this time around, earning fifth place on tiebreaks. She was only a half-point behind the third place medalist, the distinction she earned last year in the U10's.

Her father, Pawel, points out that she was one of the youngest players in her section this year -- and that she'll be eligible for the U12 next year as well. 

The Polish-imigrees were also able to take in some of the sights on the trip, visiting New York for the first time, seeing the Statue of Liberty and the 9/11 Memorial.

The ICA applauds all youth who represent us on the global stage and ask that parents keep us apprised of such participation (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Illinois qualified seven players for the upcoming World Youth -- and the ICA is working on a related article.

The North American Youth crosstables are posted here (in PDF format).