With three hundred thousand-plus Chicago school children left teacherless due to a one-day strike, the Lozano Branch of the Chicago Public Library opened its doors for a free chess tournament April 1. 

38 juniors participated in the five-round event, but the awards were largely a family affair with three families taking home eight of the ten medals!

John Bielobradek posted the lone perfect 5.0/5 score to win first place.

John defeated brothers in back to back rounds to secure the championship. He downed Vikram Oberai in the final round and Aditya Oberai in the penultimate round. Vikram claimed second place honors while Aditya earned third place, both with 4.0/5's.

Also with 4.0's were Ben Garza (4th on tiebreaks), Cristian Luna (5th), Iggy Bielobradek (6th) and Joseph Garza (7th).

Anisha Oberai placed eighth with a 3.5 score.

There was an 11-way tie for ninth place with 3.0/5 but only two medals were available: Lizzy Brahin nabbed 9th place on tiebreaks and Tarika Oberai earned 10th.

Also with 3.0 were Matei Cotofea (11th), Erik Villasenor (12th), Samantha Glowacki (13th), Ian Ornelas (14th), Anthony Luna (15th), Izellah Ortiz (16th), Daniel Roman (17th), Luke Garza (18th) and Joshua Salinas (19th).

38 participated in one section.

The event was a spontaneous effort of Hector Hernandez, the long-time manager at the Lozano Branch, and was supported by ICA Youth Committee members Bill Feldman, Jerry Neugarten and Paul Carey. Feldman served as Tournament Director with Neugarten and Carey working the floor. Also assisting were Paul's son, Aidan, Tom and Adam Bareket, Ashwin Raje and Mark Jungo. Many of the floor TD's managed to work in a little friendly chess of their own. 

The Chicago Chess Foundation and the Youth Chess Foundation of Chicago (YCFC) assisted in getting the word out about the event.

YCFC and CCF will be hosting its next to last event of the 2015 - 2016 schedule on April 9 in Oriole Park.

The Lozano Branch will be hosting a scheduled event Saturday, May 7 featuring both Open (all-ages) and Scholastic (Age 14 and younger) entrants.

Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. regarding either event although postings should be available on the ICA calendar.