Gone With the Wind Classic Blows Into DeKalb Saturday

First it was a book, then a movie... now Gone With the Wind will be forever known as THE classic chess tournament.

Actually, on Saturday, March 31, it'll be TWO chess tournaments in one... a four-round USCF tournament getting started at 9am, and a juniors-only event kicking off around noon.

Advanced registrations have been flowing in steadily, and we're already at 20, the most pre-registrations we've ever had for an event. Best of all, we have some highly competitive registrants rated as high as 2209, potentially the highest rated player ever to play in a DeKalb Chess Club event.

Suffice to say, the cash prizes should be rather generous if we get the expected field.

Still time to get in your discounted advanced registration... 12 hours to go!  Details found to the right of this posting... or drop me a note at info@dekalbchess.com and I'll type back V-E-R-Y slowly so you can understand what's going on.

This marks the 17th rated open event for the DeKalb club in the past 20 months (or so) since we became a USCF-affiliate. 117 different USCF members have competed in our tournaments, and several other players have enjoyed our junior and unrated events. Who knew there were so many chess players out there? 

Rockford hosts Illinois K-8 Championship

The esteemed Rockford Clock Tower Inn will be the host to more than 500 young chess players this weekend for the K-8 state chess championship.

This correspondent will be serving as an official in "Chess Control" in hopes to better understand the dynamics of such a large scale event. This event typically rotates between downstate Illinois and Northern Illinois, and it is hoped that in the not too distant future, the NIU campus might be selected as a host location. 

Sadly, I do not believe ANY DeKalb County schools will be participating in this weekend's event. How can this be?

DeKalb Chess Club stands ready to assist with any schools wishing to develop chess programs. Further, we'll gladly donate chess sets to any school or public library which might need a chess set. 

11 Take Hyvee by Storm

In what may have been the final First Thursday event at Hyvee, 11 players enjoyed almost two hours of casual chess. Due to other obligations and failure to attract new players from this monthly outing, Coach Bill most likely not be hosting this event going forward. If someone wishes to take on that role, please step forward. Mondays at the church and Wednesdays at the library will continue. Happy chess!

March First Thursday Tonight at Hyvee

DeKalb area chess enthusiasts young and old will face off tonight at Hyvee, 2700 DeKalb Avenue, in Sycamore. We'll get going after 7pm in the food court.

Come on out and enjoy the fun... For those who have never played, search out Coach Bill and he'll get you started with an orientation to the board, the pieces and the all-important moves.

Hope to see you tonight to kick off March!