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Locals Flock to Oak Lawn Chess Club Tournament
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- Written by Brother Rice Chess Coach Sean Kirchman - posted by Jacob Editor in Chief Brother Rice Chess Coach Sean Kirchman - posted by Jacob Editor in Chief
Locals Flock to Oak Lawn Chess Club Tournament
The boards were set, the clocks were on, and the players were arriving at the Oak View Community Center in Oak Lawn on a Friday night. Chess Club Coordinator Wayne Ellice and Tournament Director Alex Connelly smiled as they checked players in for the May Games tournament on May 9th and collected the $3 member or $8 non-member entry fees for the cash prize funds. This was just one of the many tournaments the South Suburban Chess Club of Greater Chicago (SSCC) has been hosting since the club's inception in 1994 at a community center in Palos Heights. After moving to and from a church in Alsip, the club settled into its current Oak Lawn location in 1999 and has been giving Chicago-area locals the chance to socialize, learn, and compete in chess both on teams and in tournaments uninterrupted since then.
“We may have a crowd tonight,” said Ellice, explaining that the OPPC Chess Club, a children’s chess program based in Orland Park, had emailed him about attending. He was correct, as 27 people, including United States Chess Federation (USCF) National Masters (NM), longtime club members, coaches from Brother Rice, St. Rita, and St. Ignatius, Argo and Richards high school students, and youth players all arrived with joy for the game in their eyes. The 10 minutes with 3 seconds delay quick game time control gave every player an opportunity to show off their tactical and positional skills throughout the five rated or unrated games, with plenty of fireworks ensuing in the final seconds on many boards.
Players young and old faced each other on the mental battlefield, and style differences were evident in the play. Many of the up-and-coming chess players were quicker to sacrifice pawns for dynamic attacking potential compared to the more experienced players who often relied on more principled and solid play to leave less to chance. Of course, with only ten minutes on each player’s clock, inaccuracies and blunders abounded as players ran out of time, leading to flurries of checks, captures, and attacks. Slow, positional play turned into furious hand movements as players grabbed pieces and hit their clocks as fast as possible, the threat of flagging–losing on time–always looming in the back of their minds.
After 5 rounds, longtime SSCC member Brian Peterson finished undefeated, earning himself first place and $50 as players congratulated him on a clean performance. NM Tim Kras and Argo Chess Team member Brandon Hofling shared second place and each took home $25. 3rd place finishers received $3 each, earning back their entry fees with smiles on their faces.
“I have to play you again!” said 2nd place finisher Hofling excitedly to a SSCC member after the tournament concluded. The Argonaut experienced his only loss to that club member in the first round but found his opponent’s unique 1.f4 Bird’s Opening particularly interesting.
“By offering casual play to serious rated tournaments, our club meets all chess player needs, and nobody should feel intimidated,” explained Club Coordinator Ellice when asked about the value and success of the Oak Lawn-based club. “We're successful because we're consistent and welcoming. The game itself is very rich, meaning every game is different, and one learns more about the game all the time. Playing a person is also more interesting than a computer, and the club gives people a chance to meet others with shared interest.”
With over three decades of club and competitive experience, Ellice has played pro players such as world-class Grandmaster Viktor Korchnoi and the internet-famous International Master Eric Rosen, he’s invited Grandmaster Dmitry Gurevich to give a simultaneous exhibition at the club in 2023, and he’s been a comedic and guiding force of the club since he took up his current leadership role in 2009, according to members. He encourages anyone ages 14 and older to check out the South Suburban Chess Club at one of their weekly Friday 6PM-9PM meetings, and those who choose to come back can join the club for only $15 a year. For more information, visit facebook.com/SouthSuburbanChessClub or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
From left to right, Brian Peterson and NM Tim Kras happily shake hands after Kras resigns in a losing endgame.
From left to right, Club Coordinator Wayne Ellice, St. Rita Coach Ed Dornbos, and Adan Martinez enjoy a game on a Friday night.
From left to right, Alex Connelly uses his computer to analyze a chess puzzle Ali Huseen set up from a puzzle book.
Chess Camp at St. Ignatius College Prep, July 11-15
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- Written by Eva Harrison Eva Harrison
Chess Camp, Grades 5-9, July 10-July 14, 12:30 - 2:30 P.M.
Join the award-winning Saint Ignatius Chess Coach Hector Hernandez during this one week chess camp and workshop. Learn strategy, enjoy some friendly competition, and make friends! Chess camp participants will also meet and learn from current and former Ignatius Chess champions!
Galesburg Gambit Chess Club
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- Written by Eva Harrison Eva Harrison
The Galesburg Gambit Chess Club meets on Wednesday nights at 6 pm.
We meet in Henderson, Illinois, at the town hall building. Located at 215 S Main St., Henderson, IL 61439.
We offer live OTB Chess games. Complimentary soda and bottled water.
Guide to a Successful Chess Club
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- Written by Eva Harrison Eva Harrison
Thanks to the hard work of the US Chess Clubs Committee and Executive Board liaison Ryan Velez, US Chess is pleased to announce the updated Guide to a Successful Chess Club. It can be downloaded by clicking on this link. It gives needed insight and a framework for anyone to start a chess club from scratch
Says Abel Talamantez, Chair of the US Chess Clubs Committee: "The goal of this guide is to give resources to those wanting to start a chess club, be it a USCF affiliate or a local community chess club. We strongly believe in the power of chess clubs to help bring communities together, and with your help, give resources and guidance to those wanting help in doing that."
Which U.S President Played on Georgetown University’s Chess Team?
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- Written by Maret Thorpe Maret Thorpe
Trivia? Yes. But the President’s Day Chess Challenge hosted by Lodgic Everday Community in Champaign, IL was not. Complementing our local talent, chess players from Decatur, Peoria, and Bloomington-Normal joined us for this 4-round K-12 Scholastic replete with Knights Tours, a Chess Arts Contest, and of course, a Prez Chess Trivia Drawing on 2/17/19. Here’s how it played:
2018 ICV Christmas and Awards Dinner
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- Written by Bill Whited Bill Whited
The Illinois Chess Vets (ICV), ICA’s Veterans committee operational organization, held its Christmas & awards dinner on Saturday, December 15 at Mabenka restaurant at S Cicero Ave in Burbank. 33 people were in attendance. Award recipients were:
- ICV 2018 Volunteer of the Year - Robert Stoltz of Forest Park
- ICV 2018 Player of the Year - Dr. Orlan Smith of Glenwood
Illinois Chess (ICV) Board Members in attendance were: Michael Lenox- President, Robert Stoltz-Vice President; Lia Lenox - Secretary; Martha Ortega - Treasurer, HR Ready Inc – Owner and Sam Henderson - Board Member, Silver+ Chess Club President.
Illinois Chess Association Board Members in attendance were: Stephen Plotnick- Upstate Vice President, ICA Youth Committee Chair; Eva Harrison - ICA Membership Committee Chair and Michael Lenox - ICA Veteran Committee Chair.
Other notable persons in attendance were: National Master Len Weber, Terry Lemke - USO Midway Supervisor and Bob Gusher - Worth Township.
Chess sets were provided. Eva Harrison, the ICA Membership Committee Chair, won the "Queen of the Hill" title at the party and a chess clock with her 5.5 - 0.0 Perfect score for this free G/5 d3 challenge.
Some of the highlighted ICA’s veterans committee accomplishments for 2018 included: USCF Rated Tournaments - 44 with 464 players, Community Chess Workshop - 1, Expos and Conventions booths manned – 5 and Donated Chess supplies to numerous veteran organizations.
To view pictures of the event please visit www.facebook.com/ilchessvets.org.
To volunteer for the ICA veteran committee in any capacity, please contact Michael Lenox at mdlenox @ comcast.net
Roselle Library Chess Club
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- Written by Bill Whited Bill Whited
We are now into 2019 and the Roselle Library has posted a schedule for upcoming tournaments and casual dates. They are planning for the first and third Thursdays of each month for rated tournament games. There will be a few exceptions to these dates so please check the ICA calendar for those exceptions.
There are casual games every Thursday night, including nights where there are tournaments. Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you desire to play a rated game directed by a US Chess Tournament director on a casual Thursday date.
There is no fee for rarted games, on either tournament dates or casual dates. Steve will only be at the library on casual weeks if he is contacted in advance to set up a firm committent for that date.
Games on tournament dates game 40 with a five second delay to accomadate the chess club staring time of 7:p.m. and the closing time of 9:p.m. For other requests just let Steve know if you desire a little longer time frame or even several rated blitz or quick rated games in an evening.
Steve is our current ICA Metro VP and is also reviewing options for him to meet with other clubs. If you would like him to direct a rated game or two at your location, please contact him at the above email address. Rated games do require membership in the US Chess organization. Steve is absorbing the cost of the game rating fee and is offering his services at no charge. He only asks that if you do contact him to direct a game that you show up or at least cancel with 24 hours notice.