News
ICA and Chicago Chess Foundation Team Up on Free Tools for Coaches
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- Created: 17 February 2016 17 February 2016
ICA and the new Chicago Chess Foundation (CCF) have collaborated on three new teaching tools designed to make coaching easier and more fun. The new tools are free and downloadable.
“Teaching Chess to Groups” is a handbook describing methods of keeping kids interested and focused during lessons. It includes specific techniques aimed at increasing interactivity and getting the most out of teaching with computers.
“Beginner and Intermediate Chess” is a curriculum containing approximately 50 lessons on chess fundamentals.
Discounted US Chess (USCF) Memberships Available, Reduced-Cost Use of Online Chess Sites Also Arranged
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- Written by ICA Staff ICA Staff
- Created: 28 January 2016 28 January 2016
If you are still in high school -- or younger -- and you need a USCF (US Chess) membership, you've come to the right place!
For a limited time, the ICA is offering $9 full-year memberships equivalent to the regular membership (the magazine is available for online viewing). These memberships are normally $22 for high school freshmen and $26 for sophomores, juniors and seniors. Update: Requests must be processed by January 31.
This offering is open to all -- but it is hoped will support the Illinois All-Girls Championship in January, the Illinois High School Individual Championships in February and the 2016 K-8 Championships in March.
Schmakel Wins 2016 Winter Open; Perez Sweeps Reserve
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- Written by Bill Feldman Bill Feldman
- Created: 19 January 2016 19 January 2016
With a fifth round victory over Eric Rosen, Sam Schmakel won the 2016 Tim Just Winter Open completed January 17 in Schaumburg, Schmakel's tally was 4.5/5 for the event.
Rosen was up 4.0-3.5 heading into the last set of matches. Rosen tied for second through sixth place with Jonathan Kogen, David Peng, Tansel Turgut, and Pete Karagianis.
Schmakel's only blemish was a draw against Karagianis in the penultimate round. Karagianis also drew Peng in the final round.
Padilla Is U2300 Co-Champion at North American Open
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- Written by Bill Feldman Bill Feldman
- Created: 07 January 2016 07 January 2016
741 competed in the 25th North American Open completed December 30, 2015, in Las Vegas. Illinois-registered players made certain the Land of Lincoln was well-represented in the seven-section Continental Chess Association event. US Chess crosstables have posted.
In the Under 2300, Peruvian Hugo Padilla compiled one of four 5.5/7 scores to tie for top honors. Padilla recently won the prestigious Chicago Latino Championship but has not played much rated chess, with two Chicago Opens spanning 7 years: 2008 and 2015.
In an eight-way tie for fifth place, Angel Angelov finished a half-point back with 5.0.
2016 Brings New Content to ICA Website
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- Written by Bill Feldman Bill Feldman
- Created: 23 December 2015 23 December 2015
With the new year, brings much newness... not the least of which is the challenge to remember to write the correct year on notation sheets.
The ICA website is at a crossroads and we'd love your feedback. Do you find the articles to be helpful and interesting? What features would you like to see added? Do you yourself have an idea for an article? Do you know someone in the chess community who is worthy of a profile? Or are you aware of a chess organization which we may not know about?
Also, we are looking for skilled and insightful players to annotate games from our major tournaments played by members of our chess community.