A development pool for younger Illinois players on their way toward the Warren Junior Scholars Program.
About the program
The ICA added the Rising Stars Program in 2015 as a talent development pool for the Warren Junior Scholars Program. Rising Stars are younger or lower-rated players who show early promise; the program gives them coaching and a clear target as they work toward qualifying as Warren Junior Scholars.
See the current Rising Stars on the ICA Membership List.
Who qualifies
The program year runs January 1 to December 31, with a new class chosen each July. To be selected as an ICA Rising Star, a student must be an Illinois resident and meet all of the following:
- List USA as their FIDE federation.
- Be a current ICA member.
- Have a minimum US Chess established (non-provisional) rating for their level:
- entering grades 9–12: 1400
- entering grades 6–8: 1200
- entering grades K–5: 1000
- Players entering grade 4 and up: have played at least 10 regularly rated games (not quick-rated only) in open tournaments.
- Have played in the last year in at least two of: the Illinois Class, Illinois Open, Illinois All-Grade, or Illinois K-8 Championships; another ICA-sponsored tournament; any Illinois Chess Tour event; the National K-12; or the spring national championships.
At their discretion the Director may consider alternate tournaments or activities on request, and may invite players into program activities without the Rising Star title — for example home-schooled players, early graduates, or full-time Illinois students with an alternate FIDE federation who otherwise meet the criteria by age and rating.
How to be considered
Each class is chosen in July. If you think your child may qualify for the Rising Stars or Warren Junior Scholars programs, contact WJS/RS Director Edwin Walker at wjs@il-chess.org to be considered for the next class.