Phillip Places in National Tourney

It was a busy weekend for scholastic chess, particularly at East Side Middle School in Anderson, Ind., site of the 2007 U.S. Jr. Chess Congress, a national tournament in which Ray third grader Phillip Parker-Turner finished second in the eight-and-under category. The participants included about 200 kids, most of them very serious chess players, who came from twelve states to compete. Phillip has won countless trophies and tournaments before, but this, as I say, was a national tournament; this one is really something special.

Also, for the second year in a row, Phillip has been named a Warren Chess Scholar, an honor bestowed on Illinois students who are nationally ranked in chess. Congratulations, Phillip, on both accomplishments.

While the young kids were going at it in Indiana, the older ones were duking it out in Peoria, at the Illinois state high school championships. The title went to Maine South High School in Park Ridge, which upset Chicago's favorite sons and daughters, Whitney Young, in the final round. The Whitney Young Dolphins had beaten the reigning state champs, Niles North, in the previous round. As usual, the 64 Square Jungle has the goods.