Announcements
ICA at the Illinois Open
- Details
- Written by ICA Board ICA Board
- Created: 27 August 2023 27 August 2023
The Illinois Chess Association will have representation at the upcoming Illinois Open over Labor Day in Northbrook, IL. We plan to have a board member there for at least one round each day. Please stop by to talk about some exciting news such as our new Illinois Quick rated chess tournament, improved website and some very exciting new benefits coming to both our members and affiliates. There will be an Illinois Chess Association banner in place to help you find where to visit. Here is a copy of our flyer that we will be bringing to the event. Please come and play our great Illinois Open and find a few minutes to visit with one of the board members.
Patrick Cohen succeeds Sean Hennessy as ICA Secretary
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- Written by Stephen Plotnick Stephen Plotnick
- Created: 27 August 2023 27 August 2023
The Illinois Chess Association would like to welcome Patrick Cohen as our new Secretary. Patrick has been a part of the Illinois Chess Association board for several years and was our past president. He helped rebuild our board during some difficult times and has a great knowledge of Illinois Chess and our programs. We couldn't be more fortunate to have Patrick back on our Executive Board. I would like to personally thank Patrick for switching positions on our board. Patrick is currently a general board member from our downstate region. If anyone is interested in filling his former position, please contact me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Please welcome Patrick to his new position.
Stephen Plotnick
President, Illinois Chess Association
XXXIII Pan-American Youth Chess Festival 2023
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- Written by Stephen Plotnick Stephen Plotnick
- Created: 31 July 2023 31 July 2023
The Illinois Chess Association is excited to inform the chess players of Illinois about the Pan-American Youth Chess Festival which will be held here in Chicago, Illinois starting August 11, 2023. We are very fortunate to be part of the first ever Pan-American Youth Chess held in the United States. A Chicago Organizer that is 2023 organizer of the year for US Chess, Renaissance Knights Chess Foundation, along with the International Chess School, the Confederation of Chess for America (CCA) and the US Chess Federation are pleased to invite all National Chess Federations of the Americas to the XXXIII Pan-American Youth Chess Festival Open and Girls from August 11 to 18, 2023 here in Chicago, Illinois at McCormick Place.
Call for Nominations: Natalie W. Broughton Lifetime Achievement in Chess Award
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- Written by Bill Brock Bill Brock
- Created: 10 February 2023 10 February 2023
The Illinois Chess Association is inviting nominations for the 2023 Natalie W. Broughton Lifetime Achievement in Chess Award. This award is presented periodically to a person who has made a significant impact on the chess community in Illinois through their contributions as a player, coach, organizer, or supporter. The recipient will be recognized at the annual Illinois Chess Association Awards Banquet, tentatively scheduled for November 2023.
In 1995, Natalie Broughton gave a generous gift to the Illinois Chess Association. She asked us to recognize individuals who have made a lasting impact on the chess community in Illinois. To nominate someone, please provide their name, address, and email, along with a brief description of their contributions to chess in Illinois. Please send to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. no later than September 30, 2023.
New Director of Warren Junior Scholars and Rising Stars
- Details
- Written by Hector Guifarro Hector Guifarro
- Created: 15 January 2023 15 January 2023
Feb. 1, 2023 UPDATE: Hector had to excuse himself due to lack of time, and Eric Luster will continue as director for now.
Jan. 1, 2023: Hector Guifarro will succeed Eric Luster as the Director of Warren Junior Scholars and the ICA's Rising Stars programs. Mr. Guifarro is the co-founder of the "Chess for Fighters" program and the president of the College of Lake County chess club.
He hopes his biggest asset for Illinois chess, and specifically the WJS/RS programs will be his above average love of the game and desire to be an advocate for scholastic chess students, particularly in the state of Illinois.