Youth Chess News
26 Illinois Youth In US Top 50 Lists for May 2017
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- Written by Bill Feldman Bill Feldman
An amazing array of 26 Illinois juniors find themselves in the top 50 of their respective age group nationwide as the May 2017 ratings. These ratings reflect tournaments posted through the third week of April which did not yet include SuperNationals VI.
#1 in the lowest age category (7 & Under) is Aren Emrikian with Dimitar Mardov #2 in the Age 8 group. Aydin Turgut (8 in Age 12), David Peng (7 in Age 14), Jacob Furfine (10 in Age 15) and George Li (6 in Age 17) are the other Illinois top ten'ers.
New to this month's lists is Illinois K-1 Champion Anshul Shetty, coming in at #43 in the US for Age 7. The complete list is below:
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.