Youth News
2018 Illinois Invitational State Qualifier Tournament Dates Announced
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- Written by Cindy Whited Cindy Whited
- Published: 07 January 2018 07 January 2018
The 2018 Illinois Invitational State Qualifier tournament will be held May 5-6, 2018 at the Hyatt Regency in Schaumburg.
This tournament determines which scholastic players will represent Illinois in the Barber, Denker, and National Girls’ Invitational Tournaments and SPF Girls’ Invitational Tournament.
Invitations will be sent out in early February. As specified in the guidelines, invitation to this tournament is based on USCF rating from the January supplement. Players who are currently in the Warren Junior Scholar or Rising Stars programs will automatically be considered. Other players who are not currently in these programs who want to should be considered should email name, grade, gender and USCF number to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. no later than January 31, 2018. All players must be current residents of Illinois.
December 2017 US Top 100 Lists For Girls
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- Written by Eva Harrison Eva Harrison
- Published: 21 December 2017 21 December 2017
Forty-seven Illinois girls have managed to earn spots on the most recent top 100 lists compiled by US Chess, which include the results of the 2017 Illinois All Grade in Peoria last month.
Almost all of the girls in the 'Age 7 and Under' group improved their ratings over the previous month. A big shout-out to newcomer Mehak Jiandani, who is 6 years old and ranks in 86th place nationwide after only a dozen tournaments.
52 Players From Illinois Competed at the National K-12s in Orlando on December 8-10
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- Written by Cindy Whited Cindy Whited
- Published: 14 December 2017 14 December 2017
Warren Junior Scholar, Matthew Stevens, from Whitney Young was the clear winner of the K-12 Blitz tournament with a score of 11.5. Class trophies were awarded to Tristan Kenny, 2nd place for unrated and Luke Faxon, 3rd place for Ratings 1000-1199. Team trophies were awarded to Whitney Young for 1st place and Glen Grove School for 5th.
November 2017: IL Top 100 Girls
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- Written by Eva Harrison Eva Harrison
- Published: 27 November 2017 27 November 2017
The most recent lists include 46 young ladies from Illinois with eleven of them ranking in the top 20.
Nandini Prakash and Hili Bareket continued to gain rating points and both climbed 4 ranks in the “Age 7 and Under” list. Second-grader Saruul Ann Uuganbayar, who has only been playing tournament chess for six months, made her first appearance on the list — congratulations!
Eight-year old Siri Chennareddy can also be proud of her achievements, advancing from rank 72 to rank 41 in one month. Niyathi Girish is another newcomer on the list. Well done!
November 2017: 53 Illinois Youth Among US Top 100's
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- Written by Bill Feldman Bill Feldman
- Published: 20 November 2017 20 November 2017
Once again, Aren Emrikian is the #1 player in his age group in the US -- Ages 7 & Under. Joining him in the top 10 this month is Yuvraj Chennareddy, #4 in that age range.
David Peng (14) and Dimitar Mardov (9) are both #2 in their respective age bracket.
Four other Illinois players are in the top 10 -- with an impressive array of 53 in the top 100's.
Four Illinois youth have been named to the US Chess All-America Team -- see recently posted article on the ICA site.