Youth Chess News
Illinois Showing Well at Dallas Nationals; Turgut wins Blitz
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- Written by Bill Feldman Bill Feldman
Illinois representatives are holding their own at the USCF Elementary Nationals concluding today in Dallas. A record 2200 players had pre-registered, with Illinois players in each of the four championship sections still in contention for high honors.
The Land of Lincoln has already claimed hardware in the K-6 Blitz event. With 132 players competing, 4th-grader Aydin Turgut posted one of the two top scores, 10.5/12. On tiebreaks, Aydin earned the championship trophy. Jacob Furfine and Emmett Madigan finished 8.0/12, in a pack tied for 17th place. Entering the competition, Aydin and Jacob had the two highest Blitz ratings of the field.
In the K-5 main event, Aydin resumes play today facing Arizona fifth-grader Rick Sun. Along with California's David Pan, Aydin and Sun have the section's only 5.0/5 perfect scores.
Illinois Youth in USCF Top 100 -- April 2014
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- Written by Bill Feldman Bill Feldman
Age is just a number. Right?
Chess is one of those fascinating activities in which, with a modicum of determined study, children can compete on a level playing field with adults.
And then there is another level of ability where the youngster exceeds the average adult’s capabilities and keeps on going.
Illinois is honored to host two remarkable juniors at this time whom at age 10, are not only the nation’s second-rated player of their respective age and gender, but are also the top-rated players in the state aged 16 or younger.
Marissa Li Wins U12 at 2014 All-Girls Nationals
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- Written by Bill Feldman Bill Feldman
Marissa Li has won her Under 12 section of the 2014 National All-Girls competition completed today in Northbrook, IL.
Achieving the lone 5.5/6 score in the 74-player section, Marissa entered the event having boosted her USCF-rating nearly 400-points since competing in the 2013 All-Girls and over 800-points since the 2012 All-Girls.
By virtue of her section championship, Marissa qualifies to represent the USA at the World Youth Championships to be held in South Africa late in the year.
In the Under 14 section, Long Grove's Miranda Liu took home the third place award on tiebreaks, tying for second place with 5.0/6.
Niles North Top U1600 Team at HS Nationals; 2nd in U1200
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- Written by Bill Feldman Bill Feldman
Niles North High School claimed the Under 1600 Championship at the USCF Nationals concluded April 6 in San Diego. The team tied with a Miami high school with 18.0 points, but had the higher tiebreak.
The Skokie-based high school just missed another championship by half a point, placing second in the Under 1200 section behind a Virginia team.
Lisle-based Benet Academy placed fifth in the U1200, with Oak Lawn's Richard's High School taking tenth place.
In the Under 800 section, Richards placed second on tiebreaks, tying with the champions from Texas.
Schmakel Takes 2nd at '14 High School Nationals in San Diego; Richards' Cabel Wins U1600; Marshall's Blankenship Tops U800
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- Written by Bill Feldman Bill Feldman
942 players competed at the 2014 National High School Championship with several Illinois high schoolers coming home with hardware -- including two outright champions. Two Illinois players tied for second in their respective sections, two others tied for third.
The seven-round competition was conducted in San Diego, CA April 4-6. There were five K-12 sections divided by USCF rating, including 338 in the Open Section.
In the Open, Whitney Young's Sam Schmakel suffered a third-round loss to state-mate Nathan Kranjc, but won the rest of his matches to finish second with the top tiebreak at 6.0/7.