Youth Chess News
Top 100 USA Youth -- August 2015
- Details
- Written by Bill Feldman, data compiled by Teddy Storm Bill Feldman, data compiled by Teddy Storm
As of August, Illinois now proudly hosts an amazing four 18-and-under Masters and 18 junior Experts.
Eight additional juniors have achieved ratings above 1950 in the current compilation so no doubt the above elites will soon have company.
15-year olds George Li (2294) Alex Bian (2220), 14-year old Jacob Furfine (2248) and 12-year old David Peng (2230) are the top-rated Illinois juniors on the current lists. Despite a multi-year hiatus from regular-rated chess, Penny Xu has returned to her perch as the top-rated Illinois female junior due to a slight ratings drop from others.
Seven juniors are in the top 10 of their respective age group: Alex Zhao (9th among 7 and unders), Arthur Xu (10th among 8 year olds), Aydin Turgut (5th among 10 year olds), David Peng (3rd among 12 year olds), Jacob Furfine (8th among 14 year olds), George Li (10th among 15 year olds) and Shreya Mangalam (6th among Girls Under 13).
Top 100 Youth -- June 2015
- Details
- Written by Bill Feldman, data compiled by Chris Wellendorf Bill Feldman, data compiled by Chris Wellendorf
12-year old Marissa Li has now achieved the highest published rating of any Illinois female junior in recent times -- and perhaps ever. Her June rating of 1967 eclipses Penny Xu's 1966.
Illinois has seven youth in the top 10 of their respective age group as of June, despite the departure of Sam Schmakel who has turned 19.
The Land of Lincoln hosts 20 junior Experts or above as of the June ratings. 8 additional juniors have ratings above 1950 so we may soon surpass the record of 21 junior Experts. Who is next?
Results as of May 20th were factored into these calculations.
Mardov & Peng Represent Illinois in Rated Online Tournament
- Details
- Written by Bill Feldman Bill Feldman
Update: Mardov Wins Under 6 National Title! Peng Wins U12!
6-year old Dimitar Mardov and 12-year old David Peng will be the two Illinois competitors in the 4th ChessKid Online National Invitational Championship (CONIC).
The five-round, three-day event kicks off this evening, June 5. All five rounds will be broadcast live on Chess.com/TV. Round one is Friday at 6:00pm, but it is anticipated that broadcasts will start after all games have begun, perhaps 15 minutes or so after the round begins.
Top 100 Youth -- May 2015
- Details
- Written by Bill Feldman, data compiled by Chris Wellendorf Bill Feldman, data compiled by Chris Wellendorf
Illinois continues to host 11 18-year olds in the top 100 nationwide, whereas statistically we'd expect to have only four.
For the first time, Illinois has six females among the top 100 Under 21 with three above 1900.
Illinois is proud to host six top ten players in the country including #4 18-year old Sam Schmakel, #5 12-year old David Peng, #5 10-year old Aydin Turgut, #6 13-year old Jacob Furfine, #7 U13 Girl Marissa Li and #9 (tie) 15-year old George Li.
Akhil Kalghatgi rose above 2000 once again and Nicholas Bartochowski smashed the 2K barrier for the first time, climbing to 2043!
That gives Illinois 15 junior Experts along with six junior Masters (or better).
High improvers this month included Eddie Zhang up 85 rating points and Alex Zhao up 83.
Naperville North Hosts Community Chess Extravaganza 8
- Details
- Written by ICA Staff ICA Staff
On Wednesday, May 27th, the IHSA State Champion Naperville North High School Chess Team hosted a night of chess fun for the Naperville community.
The tournament featured unrated sections by grade level, rated sections, a parent tournament, a group lesson, and a "Beat the Varsity Player" challenge.
The goal of the tournament was to continue to spread the great game of chess to the community and to raise money for the NNHS Chess Team to compete in USCF National Tournaments next year.