The ICA’s intensive mentoring program for the strongest young chess players in Illinois.
About the program
The Warren Program was founded more than 30 years ago by former ICA President Helen Warren. Its mission is to discover and develop the highest-potential youth chess players in Illinois so they can compete on the national and international stage.
Scholars are chosen for their talent and then given intensive mentoring — a reason and a structure to work hard. Through deep study and strong competition, players build skills that carry well beyond chess: high-level analytical thinking, discipline, perseverance, responsible decision-making, and the ability to learn from a setback.
In 2015 the ICA added the Rising Stars Program as a development pool, identifying and preparing younger players who show early promise toward qualifying as Warren Junior Scholars.
See the current Warren Junior Scholars on the ICA Membership List.
Who qualifies
The program year runs January 1 to December 31, and a new class is selected each July. Players already in the program do not reapply. To be selected as a Warren Junior Scholar, a student must be an Illinois resident and meet all of the following:
- List USA as their FIDE federation, or be enrolled full-time in an Illinois school.
- Be a current ICA member.
- Have a minimum US Chess established (non-provisional) rating for their level:
- entering grades 9–12: 1800
- entering grades 6–8: 1600
- entering grades K–5: 1400
- 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.
Players on the US Chess Top 100 list may be selected at the Director’s discretion. Where a player cannot meet the games or tournament requirement, the Director may consider alternate tournaments or activities on request, and may invite players into program activities without the Warren Junior Scholar title.
How to be considered
Each class is chosen in July. If you think your child may qualify for the Warren Junior Scholars or Rising Stars programs, contact WJS/RS Director Edwin Walker at wjs@il-chess.org to be considered for the next class.