It's On: 2016 Northern Illinois Kick-Off -- Round One: 11:30am, Round Two: Round 2nd: 1:02pm; Conclusion by 6pm

As we welcome 2016, what better way to do so than five rounds of rated chess?

After some concern over the length of some games, we'll be doing away with the Game/20; d16 time control and going with a more conventional Game/30 with NO DELAY. That's right, bring back those old manual clocks because THIS ONE is going without a delay timer.

We'll do five rounds to make the drive worth it... and we'll keep it cheap: $6.102 entry fee. That's right, 2016 backwards -- and you can round it down to the nearest penny unless you have some micro-cents handy.

First round will start at 11:30 am so those who are traveling far or sleeping in can take their time meandering to the cornfields... or the church... where we'll be gathering.

I'll provide all the equipment. Just bring your USCF membership card and $6.102 (ok, forget the micro part)  -- along with another $5 if you want some pizza after the first round, and show up by 11:15am and you'll be all set for a thrilling day of chess. 

If you wanna skip round one, show up six seconds after 1:02pm (in honor of the entry fee) and we'll get you paired for round two with a half-point bye. You'll still get in four rounds of rated games.

And we be all done out and out of there by 6:10 (and 2 seconds) so you can enjoy your Friday night. How's that for a plan?

4th Home for the Holidays To Be Held Saturday, Dec. 26

Saturday December 26

at 1st Congregational Church, 615 N First St, DeKalb

Registration: 8:45-9:20am; after that: 1/2-point bye

Rounds: 9:30am / 11:35am / Lunch / 1:50pm / 3:55pm with conclusion anticipated before 6pm.

4 Sections: Open, Reserve: U1600, Booster: 1000-1250,  SuperBooster: U1000, all subject to adjustment and combination at TD discretion.

Format: 4 Rounds, Game/55; delay 5 seconds

G/55 with 5 second delay. This means each player has 55 minutes to make all moves in a game and up to 5 additional seconds for each move. This means the event will be dual-rated and count towards both the US Chess regular and quick ratings.

Cost: $8 with advance registration, $12 otherwise, limited to first 64 entries. Payable at door.

All equipment provided. Entrant equipment not to be used without TD authorization in order to preserve the peace.

To pre-register: email name, USCF ID, and desired section to registration@dekalbchess.com.

Holiday Season Is Full of Tournaments

The DeKalb Chess Club will be hosting a slew of tournaments during the holiday season just to make sure that chess brains don't get all soft and mushy like Santa's belly. All events will be held at the First Congregational Church in DeKalb.

The line up includes events on Saturday, December 26 -- the (4th Annual Home for the Holidays Open), Friday, January 1 (The 2016 Northern Illinois Kick-Off) and Saturday, January 9 (The Lasker Memorial Open).

Entry fees vary as to the schedules. But all require USCF (aka US Chess) membership.

A discounted membership is available for $9 to players prior to their high school graduation. (Annual USCF membership is normally $22 for freshmen and $26 for sophomores on up -- so this is a GREAT deal).

Contact editor@il-chess.org for further details on the USCF memberships and info@dekalbchess.com for information on the tournaments.