Youth Chess News
C-U Area School Gives "Treasure Chess" Fund to Charity
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- Written by Bill Feldman Bill Feldman
Since the advent of chess lessons, coaches have looked for ways to motivate students.
Champaign-Urbana area coach Rachel Schecter has devised an innovative -- and patent-pending -- approach: translating points earned through chess accomplishments into donations to local non-profits. This idea has been a huge hit with her Montessori school chess club.
She calls it "Treasure Chess" -- and it was the subject of a recent write up by the News Gazette.
(Editor's Caveat: when you click on the link, you may have to view a short ad delivered by the newspaper's site -- it appears to be harmless!)
Skinner North Wins K-2, 3-4 at May YCFC / CCF Tournament; Harry Heller Wins Advanced; 234 Enjoy Nobel Hospitality
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- Written by Bill Feldman Bill Feldman
The Youth Chess Foundation of Chicago wrapped up its six event season with a 234 player tournament May 20 at Alfred Nobel Elementary on Chicago's north side. There were four Novice sections and an Advanced with a rich array of trophies awarded.
Harry Heller was once again a perfect five-for-five to take clear first place in the Advanced. Harry was also perfect in the prior YCFC event in April -- but lost out on the first place trophy due to tiebreaks -- to his younger brother of all people!
Skinner North managed to win two of the Novice section team trophies: K-2 and 3-4 with Lenart (5-6) and host Nobel (7-8) winning the other two.
Land of Lincoln Wins 11 Individual and Three Team Awards in K-12 Championship Section at 2017 SuperNationals VI
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- Written by Bill Feldman Bill Feldman
In the K-12 Championship division, the very best section of SuperNationals VI concluded May 14, Illinois won 11 individual trophies and three team awards.
Alex Bian, Matthew Stevens and Marissa Li all posted 5.0's, tying for 18th place. Alex received the 19th place trophy while Matthew and Marissa nabbed "tied for 25th" hardware.
Whitney Young (Chicago) earned the 14th place team trophy while New Trier (Winnetka) nabbed 15th place and Naperville North earned 17th.
Normal's Munaganuri Wins K-1 U500; Illinois Nabs Top Four in K-12 Unrated, Co-Champs: Schiffner, Bundy, Murphy; Colene Hoose Wins Top K-5 U900 Team
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- Written by Bill Feldman Bill Feldman
Vamsi Munaganuri of Colene Hoose in Normal managed one of the few 7-for-7 tallies at SuperNationals VI, completed May 14 in Nashville, TN. Coming into the national event, Vamsi had a rating in the 300's but that didn't deter him from winning the K-1 Under 500's.
In that same section, Lucas Means and Alex Andrade, both with 5.0's nabbed trophies tying for 16th place, leading Avery Coonley to the third place team trophy. Amaira Mittal (4.5) and Jack Murphy contributed to the excellent ACS score.
Dimitar Mardov Wins K-3's at '17 SuperNationals; Aydin Turgut & Ricky Wang Tie For 2nd in K-8's; Jacob Furfine Ties for 3rd in K-9's, Anshul Shetty Ties for 3rd in K-1's
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- Written by Bill Feldman Bill Feldman
With six wins and a sixth-round draw, Dimitar Mardov has secured the National K-3 Championship at SuperNationals VI. New York's Liam Putnam also finished with 6.5, but Dimitar posted the superior tiebreak to earn the sizeable championship trophy.
Dimitar raised his rating to 2014 to achieve "Candidate Master" (Expert) status.
Dimitar's father, Andon, wrote to the ICA after the event noting that his son received some much appreciated help from GM Mitkov preparing against the two experts faced in Rounds Six and Seven. (The grandmaster's own son was playing at SuperNationals).