Youth Chess News
Five Illinois Teams Heading to Atlanta K-12 Nationals
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- Written by Bill Feldman Bill Feldman
Five teams and ten other Illinois students are heading to the 2016 US Chess K-12 Nationals beginning Friday in Atlanta, GA.
Naperville North High School has entered 19 players in multiple sections. Coach Jeff DiOrio says he was "nervous about the logistics of the trip, but excited about the tournament." Taking that many high school players on a plane can be "an adventure". But this is not Coach DiOrio's first rodeo: "Once we get there, I will relax."
DiOrio says the trip is both a reward for the efforts of the season which has preceeded this as well as preparation for the following year.
ICA Announces Field of 30 for Denker, Barber, Girls
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- Written by Bill Feldman Bill Feldman
The Illinois Chess Association has finalized the field for three invitational tournaments occurring in Schaumburg May 14-15.
The winners of these tournaments will become the Illinois representatives to the national Denker, Barber and Girls events occuring late summer in Indianapolis just prior to the US Open.
January 2016 rating issued by US Chess was the primary criterion for selection.
Masters George Li and Alex Bian are the top-rated invitees in the 12-player, Swiss-paired, five-round Denker.
216 Elmhurst Students Compete in 20th Annual Tourney
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- Written by Bill Feldman Bill Feldman
For the 20th year, Chicago-suburb of Elmhurst has hosted a weekday evening tournament featuring "extended blitz" time controls. This year's District 205 event was conducted March 16 at York Community High School with 216 area students competing in six sections.
Visitation's Luke Alexander posted the lone perfect 5-0 score for 2nd graders, Timothy Christian's Gavin Bullard did the same in the third grade section.
Edison's Jack Davies was 5.0/5 in the fourth grade section. Clare Mortenson of Lincoln claimed the fifth grade championship with five points.
Ganesan Wins 2016 Illinois K-8 Championship; Chiddix Top Team; Elijah Platnick, Dimitar Mardov and Julian Wang Win Sections
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- Written by Bill Feldman Bill Feldman
Points matter. Sometimes even half a point can be a big deal.
With a seventh round triumph over neighboring city rival Jason Daniels, Ishaar Ganesan earned the 2016 Illinois K-8 Individual Championship. Ganesan was the sole competitor with 6.5 points, a half-point ahead of four players with 6.0's: Vincent Do, Ed Zhang, Aidan Carey and Neel Jay.
Jason's Chiddix Junior High (of Normal) team reprised their recent IESA 7th grade championship by winning the top team honors with 21 points from their top four scorers.
Daniels Edges Bareket as 2016 K-8 Blitz Champion
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- Written by Bill Feldman Bill Feldman
When the dust settled after ten blitz games, Jason Daniels and Adam Bareket stood tied, both with 8.5 out of 10. On tiebreaks, Daniels took the championship with Bareket nabbing second place hardware.
Adam Wallach and Justin Weinzwieg both posted 8.0's with Wallach earning the better tiebreak for third place. Weinzwieg earned fourth place, while Ishaar Ganesan earned fifth place with his 7.5 score.