Youth News
Illinois' Emrikian is World U8 Champ; Xu Scores U10 Silver
- Details
- Written by Bill Feldman Bill Feldman
- Published: 31 August 2017 31 August 2017
By virtue of his 11th round victory against fellow-American Abhi Mishra, Aren Emrikian has won the 2017 World Cadet Under 8 competition! Aren finished with 9.0/11.
Playing the black colors, Aren trailed the top-seeded Mishra by a half-point heading into the last round. Aren's victory dropped Mishra into a second place tie at 8.5 with Battulga Tenuunbold of Mongolia who scored a mild upset in Round 11.
In the U10 section, Arthur Xu drew his 11th round match, compiling an 8.5 tally and the Silver Medal for clear second!
Almost Four Dozen Girls in US Top 100's As of 8/17
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- Written by Eva Harrison Eva Harrison
- Published: 24 August 2017 24 August 2017
47 Illinois girls under 18 rank in the top 100 nationwide for their respective ages, 33 holding a rating higher than 1000.
Experts Shreya Mangalam, Marissa Li and Miranda Liu lead the way with ratings over 2000!
Linda Pham has now moved from the Ages 7 & Under to the Age 8's category ranking #27 in the US. Happy belated birthday, Linda! Enkhjin Namuunbayar (Age 8), Lily Meegoda (Age 9), Stella Pashyan (Age 11) and Zhengxin-Cindy Tang (Age 15) earned their first mentions in the Top 100 Girls lists – keep up the progression!
Chicago High Schoolers Creates Chess Documentary
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- Written by Sam Goldman Sam Goldman
- Published: 17 August 2017 17 August 2017
Seniors at the Latin School of Chicago have an opportunity to learn through non-traditional means by completing a senior project focused on their individual passions.
To some students that meant designing a (computerized) virtual reality experience, to others it meant exploring molecular gastronomy, creating a wilderness survival video, or dispelling stereotypes of rap music.
When presented with this opportunity, I immediately knew that mine would somehow revolve around my passion of chess.
A Rook & A Quarter: A Classroom Setting
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- Written by Rachel Schecter Rachel Schecter
- Published: 07 August 2017 07 August 2017
Setting: January 2017. A Beginners Chess Class.
Students setting up. Javier and Erik, friends, rivals, promising players, are eight moves into their game; neither has castled.
I sit at their table. "Are either of you gentlemen planning to castle?"
"We like our kings in the middle," says Javier.
"Keeps your opponent guessing," says Erik.
Illinois Wins Combined Denker, Barber, Nat'l Girls Invitational Top State Distinction; George Li Is 2017 Denker Co-Champion
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- Written by Bill Feldman Bill Feldman
- Published: 02 August 2017 02 August 2017
It took significant contributions from all three of Illinois' representatives as the state posted the top combined score at the 2017 Denker, Barber and National Girls Invitationals completed August 2 in Virginia.
George Li drew Praveen Balakrishan in the final round with both players winding up in a four-way tie for the championship with 5.0/6.