Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Chess Clubs in Illinois

Chess Clubs In Illinois

ILLINOIS
CHICAGO IL. ILLINOIS CHESS ASSOCIATION (USCF ID T5009961). Affiliate Type: State Chapter. Contact: CARL DOLSON. Contact Phone: 309-258-2861. Address: PO BOX 180177, CHICAGO, IL, 60618. email: president@il-chess.org, USCF Rated Events, Matches, Under Age 18 Welcome, Beginners Welcome.(Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS IL. CHICAGO INDUST CHESS LEAGUE (USCF ID A5009901). Affiliate Type: Club, ARLINGTON HEIGHTS. Contact: ANDY MOSLEY. Contact Phone: 847-772-293. email: andy.mosley@aonhewitt.com(Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)
AURORA IL. AURORA NAPERVILLE CHESS CLUB (USCF ID A6036081). Affiliate Type: Club. 7:15pm-9:45pm Tuesdays. Turners Club, 1335 Mitchell Road, Aurora, IL 60504, AURORA. Contact: Bill. email: info@aurorachess.com. Web Site: www.aurorachess.comClub Membership Not Required, Casual Play, USCF Rated Events, League Play, Ladders, Sets Available, Under Age 18 Welcome, Beginners Welcome, Refreshments. (Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)
BARRINGTON IL. CHESS WITHOUT BORDERS (USCF ID A6039158). Affiliate Type: Club, BARRINGTON. Contact: Yury Shulman. email:yushulman@yahoo.com(Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)
BETHALTO IL. MADISON COUNTY CHESS ASSOC (USCF ID A6006760). Affiliate Type: Club. Bethalto Knights of Columbus, 400 N. Beau Chateau, BETHALTO. Contact: BRAD BALDRIDGE. Contact Phone: 618-920-8750. email: brad21489269@yahoo.comClub Membership Not Required, Casual Play, Unrated Events, Blitz Events, Clocks Available, Under Age 18 Welcome, Beginners Welcome, Handicap Accessible, Smoking Permitted. (Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)
BLOOMINGTON IL. BNASC (USCF ID H6031853). Affiliate Type: School, BLOOMINGTON. Contact: DARREN ERICKSON. email: marknibb@comcast.(Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)
BLOOMINGTON IL. GRANDMASTER CHESS CAFE (USCF ID A6039761). Affiliate Type: Club, BLOOMINGTON. Contact: SURIYA KOPULA. email:echesstronics@gmail.com. Web Site: www.grandmasterchesscafe.com(Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)
BLOOMINGTON IL. IEXCELL (USCF ID A6041556). Affiliate Type: Club, BLOOMINGTON. Contact: Rahul Bafna. Contact Phone: 308-287-0293. email:bafnafamily@gmail.com(Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)
BLOOMINGTON IL. TWIN CITY CHESS CLUB (USCF ID A5010357). Affiliate Type: Club. Sun. 1PM-4PM. iExcell, 2416 E. Washington St., BLOOMINGTON. Contact: DENNIS BOURGERIE. Contact Phone: 309-454-3842. email: dennis.b.381@gmail.com. Web Site: http://twincitychessclub.laughingvulcan.org/, Casual Play, USCF Rated Events, Unrated Events, Club Championships, Also meets on Thursdays 7 PM at Barnes & Noble, 1701 E. Empire St.. (Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)
BURBANK IL. SOUTHWEST CHICAGO CHESS CLUB (USCF ID A6041473). Affiliate Type: Club. MON 12PM-1:30PM. LSV SENIOR CENTER, 7745 S LEAMINGTON, BURBANK. Contact: MICHAEL LENOX. Contact Phone: 773-606-8142. Club Phone: 773-606-8142. email: mdlenox@comcast.net. Web Site:swchicagochess.org(Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)
CHICAGO IL. CHICAGO CHESS CENTER INC (USCF ID A6037696). Affiliate Type: Club, CHICAGO. Contact: KEITH AMMANN. Contact Phone: 773-294-1709. email: info@chichess.org. Web Site: http://www.chichess.org(Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)
CHICAGO IL. IIT CHESS CLUB (USCF ID G6040898). Affiliate Type: College, CHICAGO. Contact: DAVID FINOL. email:

CHICAGO IL. ST SYLVESTER SCHOOL (USCF ID H6042262). Affiliate Type: School, CHICAGO. Contact: Megan Ali. Contact Phone: 773-772-5222. email:meg1484@gmail.com(Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)
CHICAGO IL. UNIV OF CHICAGO CHESS CLUB (USCF ID G6037090). Affiliate Type: College. MON 6:30-8:30 FRI 4:30-6:30. REYNOLDS CLUB, UNIV OF CHICAGO, CHICAGO. Contact: STEVEN RAND. Contact Phone: 816-255-5042. email: stevenjrand@uchicago.edu. Web Site: chessclub.uchicago.edu(Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)
CHICAGO IL. WHITNEY YOUNG HS CHESS CLUB (USCF ID H6016517). Affiliate Type: School. TUES 3:30-5PM. WHITNEY YOUNG HS, CHICAGO. Contact: PAUL J KASH. Contact Phone: 773-512-2811. Club Phone: 773-512-2811. (Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)
CHICAGO . YOUTH DEVELOPMENT SERVICES INC (USCF ID A6041776). Affiliate Type: Club, CHICAGO. Contact: Ralph Jones. Contact Phone: 773-538-6253. email: rjones@ydschess.com(Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)
CHICAGO . YOUTH DEVELOPMENT SYSTEMS INC (USCF ID A6042627). Affiliate Type: Club, CHICAGO. Contact: Ralph Jones. (Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)
CHICAGO IL. RENAISSANCE KNIGHTS (USCF ID A6020681). Affiliate Type: Club. Weekend Tournaments & More. Check our web site for, Location and Times, CHICAGO. Contact: DAVID HEISER. Contact Phone: 773-844-0701. Club Phone: 773-844-0700. Address: PO BOX 1074, NORTHBROOK, IL, 60065. email:info@renaissanceknights.org. Web Site: WWW.RENAISSANCEKNIGHTS.ORGClub Membership Not Required, USCF Rated Events, Unrated Events, Sets Available, Book Library, Classes Offered, Lectures Offered, Chess Camps, Private Lessons Offered, Simuls Offered, Under Age 18 Welcome, Beginners Welcome, Refreshments, Handicap Accessible, We operate in-school and after-school chess programs in Chicago and the suburbs and organize tournaments and other community events. See our website for more details.. (Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)
COLLINSVILLE . COLLINSVILLE UNIT 10 (USCF ID H6041012). Affiliate Type: School, COLLINSVILLE. Contact: JACOB POST. Contact Phone: 618-623-8062. email: jpost@kahoks.org(Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)

DANVILLE IL. ILLIANA CHESS CLUB (USCF ID A6035381). Affiliate Type: Organizer, DANVILLE. Contact: Glenn Overby. Contact Phone: 217-474-1823. email:glenn@mondoj.net. Web Site: http://icc.mondoj.netClub Membership Not Required, USCF Rated Events, Under Age 18 Welcome, Beginners Welcome, Some Chess960 events.. (Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)
DECATUR IL. DECATUR CHESS CLUB (USCF ID A6032678). Affiliate Type: Club. TUES7PM. DOHERTYS PUB & PINS, 242 E WILLIAMS, DECATUR. Contact: Josh Rohrscheib. email: josh@rohrscheib.com. Web Site: www.decaturchessclub.comClub Membership Not Required, Casual Play, USCF Rated Events, Unrated Events, Blitz Events, Bughouse, Matches, Sets Available, Clocks Available, Book Library, Chess Camps, Simuls Offered, Under Age 18 Welcome, Beginners Welcome, Refreshments, Handicap Accessible, find us on www.facebook.com/groups/decaturchessclub/. (Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)
DEKALB AND SYCAMORE IL. DEKALB CHESS CLUB (USCF ID A6034627). Affiliate Type: Club, DEKALB AND SYCAMORE. Contact: BILL. Contact Phone: 815-995-0174. email: info@DeKalbChess.comClub Membership Not Required, Casual Play, USCF Rated Events, Chess Items for Sale, Private Lessons Offered, Under Age 18 Welcome, Beginners Welcome, Handicap Accessible, CASUAL GAME PLAY at First Congregational Church, 615 N First St., DeKalb on Mondays, 6pm to 8pm, and Wednesdays at Sycamore Public Library, 6pm - 8pm.. (Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)
DES PLAINES IL. KNIGHTS OF THE FOREST CC (USCF ID H6015919). Affiliate Type: School. THURS 3:30. FOREST ELEM SCHOOL, DES PLAINES. Contact: JACK VOGEL. Contact Phone: 847-873-2007. email: jack.vogel@comcast.net(Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)
DOWNERS GROVE IL. DOWNERS GROVE CHESS CLUB (USCF ID A6027024). Affiliate Type: Club. 7:00-10:30 P.M. Wednesday. 200 Village Drive, DOWNERS GROVE. Contact: Steffen Klug. email: chess@klugonline.com. Web Site: http://sites.google.com/site/downersgrovechessClub Membership Not Required, Casual Play, USCF Rated Events, Blitz Events, League Play, Ladders, Sets Available, Clocks Available, Book Library, Lectures Offered, Under Age 18 Welcome, Beginners Welcome, Handicap Accessible. (Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)
ELMHURST IL. TIMOTHY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL CC (USCF ID H6025562). Affiliate Type: School. THURS 7PM(SCHOOL YR OCT-MARCH). TIMOTHY SCHOOL, 188 W BUTTERFIELD, ELMHURST. Contact: DAVE MATTOX. Contact Phone: 812-746-7641. email: djmattox@att.net(Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)
EVANSTON IL. EVANSTON CHESS (USCF ID A6027684). Affiliate Type: Club. Tuesdays, 6:30-9:00 p.m. Levy Activity Center, 300 Dodge Ave, EVANSTON. Contact: MARET THORPE. Contact Phone: 847-328-1281. email: mail@maret-thorpe.com. Web Site: www.evanstonchess.orgClub Membership Not Required, Casual Play, USCF Rated Events, Unrated Events, Blitz Events, Sets Available, Clocks Available, Beginners Welcome, Handicap Accessible, Beginning to advanced players age 14 and over are welcome.. (Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)
FRANKFORT IL. CHESS WEEKEND (USCF ID A6038924). Affiliate Type: Club, FRANKFORT. Contact: Glenn Panner. Contact Phone: 815-955-4793. email:glenn@chessweekend.com(Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)
FREEPORT IL. ROUTE 20 CHESS CLUB (USCF ID A6034434). Affiliate Type: Club. 6:30-9 PM Tuesdays. Woodhouse Room (H208), Student/Conference Center, Highland Community College, FREEPORT. Contact: KEN CONTER. Contact Phone: 815-233-9922. email: whitxmas@frontier.com. Web Site:http://route20chess.blogspot.comClub Membership Not Required, Casual Play, USCF Rated Events, Unrated Events, Ladders, Under Age 18 Welcome, Beginners Welcome, Handicap Accessible. (Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)
GENEVA IL. ELITE CHESS (USCF ID A6038746). Affiliate Type: Club, GENEVA. Contact: JEFF DIORIO. Contact Phone: 603-988-2064. email:elitechess@gmail.com, USCF Rated Events, Unrated Events, Classes Offered, Private Lessons Offered. (Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)


GLENWOOD IL. GLENWOOD CHESS CLUB (USCF ID A6036912). Affiliate Type: Club. 6:30pm-10pm Tuesday and Thurs. The Blakey Center, 1 South Rebecca, Glenwood, IL 60425, GLENWOOD. Contact: KENNETH WINDMON. Contact Phone: 312-925-9447. email: kennethwindmon@gmail.com, Casual Play, USCF Rated Events, Unrated Events, League Play, Ladders, Club Championships, Sets Available, Clocks Available, Book Library, Private Lessons Offered, Under Age 18 Welcome, Beginners Welcome, Refreshments, Handicap Accessible, Annual Membership $25. (Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)
GREAT LAKES IL. MIDWEST GRID DEFENDERS 64 (USCF ID A6033535). Affiliate Type: Club, GREAT LAKES. Contact: MICHELLE MANFREDI. Contact Phone: 847-688-3792. email: michelle.manfredi@navy.mil(Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)
GURNEE . BUBBACAT CHESS (USCF ID A6033687). Affiliate Type: Club, GURNEE. Contact: tim just. Contact Phone: 847-244-7954. Club Phone: 847-244-7954. Sponsor: tim just. email: mrjust@yahoo.com(Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)
GURNEE . CHESS-ED CC (USCF ID A6027051). Affiliate Type: Club, GURNEE. Contact: ALICE HOLT. Contact Phone: 847-367-9148. (Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)
HIGHLAND PARK IL. NORTH SHORE DISTRICT 112 CHESS (USCF ID A6041541). Affiliate Type: Club. M,W,Th&F. 4 schools in highland park, HIGHLAND PARK. Contact: jerrold neugarten. Contact Phone: 847-831-2435. Club Fax: 847-831-2435. Sponsor: jerrold neugarten. email: jerryn@statetel.com. Web Site: hpchess.org.(Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)
HOMEWOOD IL. JAMES HART SCHOOL (USCF ID A6037978). Affiliate Type: Club, HOMEWOOD. Contact: HERBERT FERGUSON. email:saint21961@comcast.net(Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)
JOLIET IL. JOLIET JUNIOR COLLEGE CC (USCF ID G6016976). Affiliate Type: College. 7:00-10 PM MOST THURS.. JOLIET JR COLLEGE Room J0006, BLDG J / 1215 HOUBOLT RD, JOLIET. Contact: DENNIS DOYLE. Contact Phone: 815-280-2738. Club Phone: 815 280-2738. email: ddoyle@jjc.edu. Web Site:www.jjc.cc.il.us/clubs/chessClub Membership Not Required, Casual Play, USCF Rated Events, Blitz Events, Lectures Offered, Simuls Offered, Under Age 18 Welcome, Beginners Welcome, Handicap Accessible. (Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)
LAKE VILLA IL. CHESS FOR LIFE (USCF ID A6020523). Affiliate Type: Organizer, LAKE VILLA. Contact: WAYNE D CLARK. Contact Phone: 224-444-0037. email: wayneclark@chessforlife.com. Web Site: http://www.chessforlife.com/(Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)
MOLINE IL. ILLOWA CHESS CLUB (USCF ID A5010241). Affiliate Type: Club. Tues. 7:00 PM. Tues: Dispatch Bldg Annex, MOLINE. Contact: RICHARD RECTOR. Contact Phone: 563-940-0179. email: rrector@mchsi.com. Web Site: www.quadcitychess.comClub Membership Not Required, Casual Play, USCF Rated Events, Blitz Events, Ladders, Club Championships, Book Library, Lectures Offered, Under Age 18 Welcome, Beginners Welcome, Handicap Accessible, occasional heavy drinking, frequent brawls. (Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)
NAPERVILLE IL. NAPERVILLE YOUTH CHESS CLUB (USCF ID A6037057). Affiliate Type: Club. FRIDAY 7-9PM. 632 N. Wright St, NAPERVILLE. Contact: CHANGZHENG RAO. email: changzheng@gmail.com(Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)
NEW LENOX IL. LINCOLN-WAY WEST HIGH SCHOOL (USCF ID H6034407). Affiliate Type: School, NEW LENOX. Contact: STEVEN CRAIG MILLER. Contact Phone: 815-463-0104. email: stevencraigmiller@comcast.net(Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)
NORMAL IL. EPIPHANY CHESS CLUB (USCF ID H6026586). Affiliate Type: School, NORMAL. Contact: SONYA HAMARA. Contact Phone: 309-275-7625. email: sonyahamara@gmail.com(Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)
OAK LAWN IL. S SUBURBAN CHESS CLUB-OAK LAWN (USCF ID A6035663). Affiliate Type: Club. 6:30pm-10:25pm, Fridays. Oak View Community Center., 4625 W 110th Street, Oak Lawn, IL 60453, OAK LAWN. Contact: Wayne Ellice. Contact Phone: 708-636-5285. email: waygames@sbcglobal.net, Casual Play, USCF Rated Events, Unrated Events, Blitz Events, Bughouse, Matches, Club Championships, Sets Available, Simuls Offered, Under Age 18 Welcome, Beginners Welcome, Handicap Accessible, Friendly atmosphere, mostly casual play from beginner to master strength. Annual dues $10.00, September to September. (Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)
OFALLON IL. ST CLAIR CHESS CLUB (USCF ID A6016560). Affiliate Type: Club. THURS 6:30-11:00. GLOBAL BREW, 455 REGENCY PARK, OFALLON. Contact: DENNIS HUMPHRIES. Contact Phone: 618-233-1580. email: cptkirk13@att.net(Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)
PARK FOREST IL. VILLAGE OF PARK FOREST (USCF ID A6032788). Affiliate Type: Club. SUN 3PM-6PM MON 5PM-8PM. VILLAGE HALL, 350 VICTORY DR, PARK FOREST. Contact: ANNA SOLOFF. Contact Phone: 708-283-5649. Club Phone: 708-748-2005. email: asoloff@vopf.com. Web Site:www.villageofparkforest.com(Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)
PARK RIDGE IL. CAVEMAN CHESS (USCF ID A6012000). Affiliate Type: Club, PARK RIDGE. Contact: KEVIN L BACHLER. Contact Phone: 847-430-6798. email: kevin_bachler@cavemanchess.com(Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)
PEORIA IL. GREATER PEORIA CHESS FED (USCF ID A5010322). Affiliate Type: Club. 7:15pm-10pm. Hy-Vee Cafeteria, 4125 Sheridan Road, PEORIA,IL, PEORIA. Contact: WAYNE ZIMMERLE. Contact Phone: 309-686-0192. email: wzim@sbcglobal.net. Web Site: www.gpcf.net, Casual Play, USCF Rated Events, Club Championships, Sets Available, Clocks Available, Under Age 18 Welcome, Beginners Welcome, Refreshments. (Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)
QUINCY IL. QUINCY CHESS CLUB (USCF ID A6012427). Affiliate Type: Club. TUESDAY 6-9 PM. DOWN THE PLAYCE, 3241 QUINCY MALL, QUINCY. Contact: GARY L BLICKHAN. Contact Phone: 217-222-0304. email: tomofan@comcast.net. Web Site: http://tomofan.home.comcast.net/index.htmClub Membership Not Required, Casual Play, USCF Rated Events, Unrated Events, Blitz Events, Bughouse, Matches, Ladders, Sets Available, Clocks Available, Private Lessons Offered, Under Age 18 Welcome, Beginners Welcome, Handicap Accessible. (Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)
RIVERWOODS . CHESS SCHOLARS (USCF ID A6040808). Affiliate Type: Club, RIVERWOODS. (Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)
ROCKFORD IL. ROCKFORD CHESS ASSOCIATION (USCF ID A6003810). Affiliate Type: Club. MON 6-10. Barnes & Noble - Cherryvale, 7200 Harrison Ave, ROCKFORD, IL, ROCKFORD. Contact: GARY SARGENT. Contact Phone: 815-397-9186. email: sargent-in-rockford@PeoplePC.com. Web Site: RockfordChess.org,Club Membership Not Required, Casual Play, USCF Rated Events, Sets Available, Under Age 18 Welcome, Beginners Welcome, Handicap Accessible, Contact cannot receive messages. (Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)
SAINT CHARLES, IL. ST CHARLES CHESS CLUB (USCF ID A6002200). Affiliate Type: Club. Thursday 7PM TO 11:15 PM. Baker House Community Center, 101 S 2ND St, (RT31), (1 blk south of Rt 64 & Rt 31), SAINT CHARLES,. Contact: C/O JEFF WIEWEL. Contact Phone: 847-818-8913. Sponsor: St. Charles Park District. email: jwiewel@ntnusa.com, USCF Rated Events, League Play, Ladders, Club Championships, Sets Available, Clocks Available, Under Age 18 Welcome, Beginners Welcome, No smoking. Provides directors for K-8 tournaments - last update 1/05/2011. (Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)
SALEM IL. SOUTHERN ILLINOIS CHESS LEAGUE (USCF ID A6005390). Affiliate Type: Club. AS ARRANGED. AS ARRANGED. Contact: CARL PURCELL. Contact Phone: 618-548-4993, USCF Rated Events. (Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)
SKOKIE IL. KINGS & QUEENS CHESS CLUB (USCF ID H6017045). Affiliate Type: School. SUNDAY & TUESDAY. 3003 N TOUHY, CHICAGO &, 1250 RADCLIFFE RD, BUFFALO, GROVE, IL, SKOKIE. Contact: LANA PRITZKER. Contact Phone: 847-714-9902. email: lana@energy4action.com(Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)
SKOKIE IL. CHESSIQ (USCF ID A6021470). Affiliate Type: Club. ChessIQ Academy & Chess Center, 5500 W Touhy Ave Suite A, Skokie, IL 60077, SKOKIE. Contact: Sevan A Muradian. Contact Phone: 847.423.8626. email: events@chessiq.com. Web Site: www.chessiq.comClub Membership Not Required, USCF Rated Events, Blitz Events, League Play, Sets Available, Clocks Available, Chess Items for Sale, Classes Offered, Lectures Offered, Chess Camps, Private Lessons Offered, Simuls Offered, Under Age 18 Welcome, Beginners Welcome, Refreshments, Handicap Accessible. (Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)
SPRINGFIELD IL. CENTRAL ILLINOIS CHESS (USCF ID A6042167). Affiliate Type: Club, SPRINGFIELD. Contact: LUI. email: centralilchess@hotmail.com, Monthly tnmt(Open, 4ss,G60 d5) wuth fine prizes in local hotel. Contact Lui for questions and advance entries. (Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)
SPRINGFIELD IL. SPRINGFIELD CHESS CLUB (USCF ID A5016061). Affiliate Type: Club. WED 6:30-9PM. WHITE OAKS MALL FOOD COURT, CORNER OF WABASH & VETERANS, SPRINGFIELD. Contact: DAVID LONG. Contact Phone: 217-726-2584. email: scc@springfieldchessclub.com. Web Site:http://www.springfieldchessclub.comClub Membership Not Required, Casual Play, USCF Rated Events, Unrated Events, Matches, Club Championships, Sets Available, Clocks Available, Simuls Offered, Under Age 18 Welcome, Beginners Welcome, Refreshments, Handicap Accessible, CALL AFTER 6:30PM. (Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)
STILLMAN VALLEY IL. STILLMAN VALLEY HS CC (USCF ID H6006724). Affiliate Type: School. TUES & THURS 2:30-3:30pm. STILLMAN VALLEY HS LIBRARY, STILLMAN VALLEY. Contact: CAROL CONDERMAN EXT 4153. Contact Phone: 815-645-2291. Club Phone: 815-645-2291. Club Fax: 815-645-1341. email: fairoaks@inwave.com(Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)
VILLA PARK IL. ALL AMERICAS CHESS (USCF ID A6039357). Affiliate Type: Club, VILLA PARK. Contact: Lawrence Cohen. Contact Phone: 630-834-2477. email: allamericaschess@gmail.com(Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)
WILLOWBROOK IL. WILLOWBROOK CHESS CLUB (USCF ID A6042681). Affiliate Type: Club. FRIDAYS 7-11PM. WILLOWBROOK VILLAGE HALL, 7760 QUINCY ST, WILLOWBROOK. Contact: WILLIAM L WHITED. Contact Phone: 630-926-2604. Club Phone: 630-926-2604. email: wlwhited@comcast.net.(Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)


WILLOWBROOK IL. INTL EDUC & CULTURAL SERVICES (USCF ID A6033823). Affiliate Type: Club, WILLOWBROOK. Contact: MIKHAIL KORENMAN. Contact Phone: 785-906-0402. email: intecsus@yahoo.com(Crosstables from past rated tourneys for this affiliate)

A Cunning Chess Opening Repertoire for White

A Cunning Chess Opening Repertoire for White
Graham Burgess
Gambit
2013
256 pages
23.95 paperback
9.95 Kindle Edition

When I received this book for review, I decided to take a different approach to reviewing it than I normally do. Since it is written primarily for players of the White pieces, I decided to try playing it exclusively both on line and over the board when I had the white pieces. Since I had not played 1.d4 for many years I had thought this would be a good test. I am a typical club player, stronger at correspondence, weaker at blitz and only average at best when playing over the board at a normal time control. Since opening knowledge is so key these days to being successful in tournament play, I decided to evaluate this book by playing all of the lines as White that the author recommended, both online, in speed chess, in club play, and in over the board tournaments. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the lines worked pretty much as advertised and while I suffered a number of setbacks, almost none of them resulted from the actual lines suggested in this book but rather from poor judgement on my part later in the game. The lines are solid, just enough off the beaten path to avoid a lot of theory prevalent in the main lines and in general are fun to play. It also serves as a good training book in that you will learn a lot about the game by playing them and be competitive at the same time. The book is well structured and offers the reader a lot of choice about how to respond to the lines his opponent plays. This includes a good set of responses to almost every possible defense to 1d4. I found that the book did an excellent job of giving me very playable lines in a variety of game situations and that the more I played the lines, the more confident I became. It is also an excellent book for players who don't have a lot of time to becoming opening "specialists" and developing a comprehensive repertoire against all of the main lines. If the main purpose of an opening is to give you a playable middle game, this book  succeeds in doing that admirably. What doesn't the book do? It is not going to cover some of the really off the wall lines that are out there like the Englund Gambit (1.d4 e5). For those you are going to have to enhance your knowledge by doing a little research. Its move order does avoid the Budapest and the NimzoIndian. It also offers a complete chapter on  how to avoid some of the better alternatives that Black has when  you do not allow the Nimzo but you are going to have to put some work into mastering them. Unfortunately, there is no way around putting in some work these days on the opening when people have access (and in many cases the time and training available) to master many opening 15 or 16 moves deep. In summary this book is an excellent value. Highly recommended.

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

the Nimzo-Indian 
move by move
by John Emms
Everyman Chess
2011
367 pp

All chess openings have one main fundamental purpose and that is to get a playable middle game. This means that you will not stand significantly worse at the when the opening phase of game ends and the middle game begins. Other goals include creating positions with significant imbalances in the position to generate winning chances in the middle game while at the same time having your position remain sound enough so that you are not on the wrong end of a bad position. Because White always moves first, generating these types of positions is harder for the player of the Black pieces. Against 1.d4, the Nimzo-Indian has always been a powerful weapon for Black. The Nimzo-Indian move by move gives the player with the Black pieces a complete repetoiore for dealing with 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4. This is the starting position of the Nimzo-Indian and the author covers all the major variations with enough information so that any club player could feel confident that he had a solid defense to 1.d4 when playing the Black pieces. Of course, like with everything else in the opening, White can avoid the Nimzo-Indian by playing 3.Nf3, or 3.g3, etc but since that requires White to learn a lot of theory too, you will find that most players of the White pieces will tackle the Nimzo-Indian head on.

Emms has cover 5 major points in this book:
1. Typical situations and in the opening and middle game positions (and once in a while the endings)
2. Typical plans for both sides
3. Typical and thematic opportunities for both sides
4. The principles and guidelines of each variations covered
5. The key questions that you should be asking yourselves during study and in game situations

Variations covered include:
1. The Samisch Variation 4.a3
2.The 4.f3
3.Rubenstein Variation 4. e3 Main Line
4. Rubenstein 4.e3 Other Lines
5. Classical Variation 4.Qc2 0-0
6. Classical Variation Qc2 with ..c5
7. Leningrad Variation 4.Bg5
8. Kasparov Variation 4.Nf3

The book also includes an index of variations and an index of games. Available in paperback and Ebook format. Recommended

Monday, May 5, 2014

The Move by Move Series from Everyman Chess

For the benefit of my readers, I am extracting the serires forward to better explain what the Move by Move series is all about. John Emms has expressed more concisely than I ever could!



 The Move by Move format is designed to be interactive, and is based on questions asked by both teachers and students. It aims – as much as possible – to replicate chess lessons. All the way through, readers will be challenged to answer searching questions and to complete exercises, to test their skills in key aspects of the game. It’s our firm belief that practising your skills like this is an excellent way to study chess. Many thanks go to all those who have been kind enough to offer inspiration, advice and assistance in the creation of Move by Move. We’re really excited by this series and hope that readers will share our enthusiasm. John Emms, Everyman Chess

Lakdawala, Cyrus (2014-04-03). Korchnoi: Move by Move (Kindle Locations 32-39). Everyman Chess. Kindle Edition.

Korchnoi: Move by Move by Cyrus Lakdawala

 Korchnoi:Move by Move by Cyrus Lakdawala.
Everyman Chess
February 2014


Victor Korchnoi was easily one of the ten greatest chess players of the 20th century. Because he would not toe the line demanded by the Soviet chess establishment, he defected at great personal cost but was able to achieve not one, but two title matches for the world championship against Anatoly Karpov, another tremendous player. The author covers all of this information in the book and then goes on to annotate each game in an interactive style that will be be of unique value to anyone who likes to study their chess seriously. Each game is annotated in a thorough but entertaining manner and Lakdawala's books in general are some of the best chess book I have ever read because he makes reading them fun. This is not to detract from other authors, it's just his style.

The book does a marvelous job of introducing at least two generations to a great player that many younger players may not know as much about as they should. Korchnoi has had an incredibly long career and a career at a very high level. Until he had a stroke at age 81 in 2012, he had been the longest active playing record of any GM in living memory, although several other GMs of his era also had long careers.

"Sample:Game 1 V.Korchnoi-M.Najdorf Wijk aan Zee 1971 Semi-Tarrasch Defence 1 c4 Nf6 2 Nc3 e6 3 Nf3 d5 4 d4 c5 5 cxd5 Nxd5 The Semi-Tarrasch; Black hands his opponent a Grünfeld-like centre in return for a queenside pawn majority. 5 ... exd5 is inadvisable, in my opinion, since White gets a favourable Tarrasch, where the f6-knight has been developed prematurely, with 6 Bg5 Be7 7 e3 Be6 8 dxc5 Bxc5 9 Bb5+ Nc6 10 Bxf6!? (the simple 10 0-0 looks promising for White as well) 10 ... Qxf6 11 Nxd5 Bxd5 12 Qxd5 Bb4+ 13 Kf1 0-0 14 Qb3 and I’m not so sure Black extracted full compensation for the pawn, despite his lead in development, B.Macieja-R.Jedynak, Polish Team Championship 2009. 6 e4 Nxc3 7 bxc3 cxd4 8 cxd4 Bb4+ 9 Bd2 Bxd2+ 10 Qxd2 0-0

Lakdawala, Cyrus (2014-04-03). Korchnoi: Move by Move (Kindle Locations 141-148). Everyman Chess. Kindle Edition. 

The book is available in both paperback and electronic format. Highly recommended!!


Sunday, June 2, 2013

Rebooting ChessCountry

Rebooting ChessCountry

This blog has a long history and was originally an offshoot of a website of the same name. I closed the website a few years ago and I haven't posted here in several years. Due to my retirement, I now have more time and am going to start posting again on a regular basis. The blog will now include book reviews, tournament results at least the major ones and occasional posts on scholastic chess and chess for seniors. I hope to post at least once a week.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

A List of Recommended Books on the End Game

USCF Master Vince Berry has  been kind enough to recommend several recent books on the endgame. Listed below in no particular order is a brief bibliography of some of the books currently available to help you  improve your end game skills:

1. Silman's Complete Endgame Course by Jeremy Silman
2. Fundamental Chess Endings by Karsten Muller and Frank Lamprecht
3. How to Play Chess Endgames by Karsten Muller and Frank Lamprecht
4. Secrets of Pawn Endings by Karsten Muller and Frank Lamprecht
5. Secrets of Rook Endings by John Nunn
6. Dvoretsky's Endgame Manual by Mark Dvoretsky
7. Practical Endgame Play-beyond the basics by Glenn Flear
8. Van Perlos's Endgame Tactics by Van Perlo