2024 ICA Youth Invitational

The Illinois Chess Association Youth Invitational was run last month. The highest rated players from across the state were invited to compete in the tournament. This year the rating requirements for the Denker, Barber, Rockefeller, and Haring were set as follows: 1700, 1500, 1400, and 1200 respectively.

The winners of our divisions will represent Illinois in their respective age group at the US open in Norfolk, VA. ICA will give each of the winners a $250 stipend for travel to allow them to participate in the tournament. The representatives for Illinois this year will be: Avi Kaplan, Anjaneya Rao, Aiden Li, and Rebecca Cortez.

On top of that, the 2nd and 3rd place finishers in the Haring were invited to participate in the Susan Polgar Girls Invitational, which was held online earlier this month. The Illinois representatives were Linda Pham and RIa Raj for placing in 2nd and 3rd respectively.

Below is a full list of the results of each section in the tournament.

Denker (High School) 

Going into the last round Avi Kaplan was the only participant with a perfect 4-0 record, while a few other players had 3 points. In the final round, Avi Kaplan drew Jack Heller, which cemented his lead and allowed him to become the undisputed winner of the tournament.

Barber (Grades 6-8) 

Entering the final round, Anjaneya Rao was the only player with 3.5 points. While one player, Justin Lee, had 3 points and several other players had 2.5 points. In the final round, Anjaneya beat Ryan Zhang, which allowed him to finish as the undisputed champion.

Rockefeller (Grades K-5) 

Unlike the previous sections, entering the final round there were three players with 3 points: Aiden Li, Matthew Yu, and Alexander Pan. All of which drew in their final rounds – leading to a three way blitz playoff. The playoff finished with Aiden Li in first place, followed by Matthew Yu and Alexander Pan.

Haring (Girls) 

Going into the last round Rebecca Cortez and Linda Pham were tied for first with 3.5 points. They drew in the final round which left them tied for first. After the blitz playoff, Linda and Rebecca were still tied – which led them to play an armageddon match, which Rebecca won. Leaving her in first and Linda Pham in second place. Which allowed Linda Pham to participate in the Susan Polgar Girls Invitational, as well as Ria Raj, who finished in third with 3.5 points.

Jeff Wiewel: 40+ years as a Tournament Director

Jeff Wiewel: 40+ years as a Tournament Director

 
Tournament directing is undeniably a craft that must be cultivated through
years of practice and gaining expertise, and who better to learn from, than the
best. Jeff Wiewel has been a pillar of the Illinois, and nationwide, tournament
directing scene for over 40 years. In that time he has worked over 700
tournaments, including 65 national events.

I myself have worked under Jeff at several events during my short tenure as
a tournament director. He is an amazing asset as he is always there to support the
staff with his limitless knowledge and brighten everyone’s day with his common,
albeit sometimes corny, jokes.

Jeff has been playing chess since he was eight years old, and has been in
the chess community semi-regularly ever since. He began directing scholastic
tournaments in 1982, and continued directing until he progressed to the national
level by working at the National Junior High in 1988.
Jeff reached his national breakthrough in 2001 when he began working
more and more national events. Which eventually led him to begin substantially
traveling throughout the country a few years later. Which is when he became a
NTD, in 2003.

Besides that, he has been on the US Chess tournament director certification
committee, being the chair or vice chair since 2008. He has been the chair of the
Chicago Industrial League's West division for ten years. Further, he has been a US
chess delegate multiple times.

During our discussion, I inquired with Jeff about his most cherished aspects
of serving as a tournament director. He mentioned the joy he receives from
mentoring new tournament directors, seeing the joy of the players, and being
part of a community where he can fully be himself. And happily, being able to do
it with his son, be it directing while he played in the past, or directing together in
the present.

Jeff’s personal belief on how to become a good tournament director is to
always be cordial and nice, even when you need to be commanding. Beyond

simple niceties, the importance of understanding your own limitations and when
to defer to those above you is of keen importance.

A favorite memory of his is when many USCF tournaments were canceled
due to COVID, tournament directors were asked to submit a small clip that would
then be cut together into a video to put on the website for morale. While most
TD’s focused on staying safe and the present, Jeff touched on hoping to see us all
in the future – almost subconsciously saying the world would get back to normal –
this was put at the finale of the video. I believe that beautifully sums up who he
is: the man, the myth, the chess legend, the realistic optimist.

Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Chess State Championship 2024

Illinois High School Association (IHSA)

Chess State Championship 2024

Peoria, Illinois February 9-10, 2024

Firstly, I’d like to thank the organizers and the directors, along with all of the players for making this edition of the IHSA State Championship the best it could’ve been.

I myself played in the tournament, and I can confidently say that it was an amazing experience – more than simply being a tournament, but as a way to make friends and bond as a team.

After the first day, when we were 4/4, the anticipation for the possibilities of the following day was immense. And even though we didn’t end up performing as well as we hoped, the experience was all that mattered.

I’ve been to many tournaments throughout my life, but something about this one was special. The opportunity of being able to be with friends outside of the plain school environment, on top the combination of my own hobbies, made this an exceptionally special tournament.

Enough about that, onto the results of the tournament.

128 teams played in the tournament – after the first day, only 8 teams remained undefeated.

Round 5; Final 8 undefeated

Table 4: Aurora (IMSA) defeated Naperville (Neuqua) 56.5 vs 11.5

Table 3:Palatine (Fremd) defeated Naperville (Central) 39.5 vs 28.5

Table 2:Chicago (Payton)defeated Evanston (Twp.) 55 vs 13

Table 1:Lincolnshire (Stevenson) defeated Chicago (Whitney Young) 50 vs 18

Round 6; Final 4 undefeated

Table 2:Chicago (Payton) defeated Aurora (IMSA) 34.5 vs 33.5

Table 1:Lincolnshire (Stevenson) defeated Palatine (Fremd) 50.5 vs 17.5

Round 7, Final round; Final 2 undefeated

Table 1. After a long match, Stevenson and Payton finished the tournament with a draw in the final round. Stevenson eventually won on tiebreakers.

Here is the winning team:

Glenn Panner from Chess Weekend supplied individual award medals to all players with at least 5.5 points out of 7. Bronze was awarded with 5.5, Silver with 6, and gold with 6.5 or 7 points. Around 100 players received medals out of 1200.

The following participants were awarded medals.

2024 Illinois K-8 State Chess Championship

The 2024 Illinois K-8 Championship will be both a team and individual event held by Chess Weekend, Inc. with the Illinois Chess Association on March 8-10, 2024 in Schaumburg, IL. The main event will consist of four sections based on grade level – K-1, 2-3, 4-5, 6-8 – with seven rounds starting Saturday morning. Besides the main event, there will be numerous fun side events such as bughouse, blitz, and puzzle-solving contests. 

Over 200 trophies will be awarded on top of a commemorative medal or ribbon for all players. Additionally, a wonderful book and equipment vendor will be on site for all needs at the tournament. Though the tournament is an Illinois Championship, players from all states are welcome; but state championship titles go to Illinois players. Complete details of round times and entry fees can be found here.