More Chess in Evanston

Evanston Chess, the place for friendly and relaxed adult chess in the Chicago area, will hold two more tournaments in the coming weeks. First up is a blitz match on Tuesday night, July 17. It’s unrated, so don’t let your lack of a U.S. Chess Federation membership keep you away from this one. After that, it’s the club’s second “economy open,” on Saturday, July 28. And when they say economy, they’re not kidding: it’s only five bucks to enter. Check out either tournament or both if you’re looking for some friendly chess with normal people—as normal as chess people get, at any rate. Details here and here. And while you're at it, stick this flyer up on the fridge to remind you that Evanston Chess meets every Tuesday night.

Chess in the Park

It never fails: bring out the chess equipment and you draw a crowd. That's what happened at the neighborhood 4th of July celebration in Nichols Park. We put sets on the park's two chess tables, plus an oversized set on the ground. The kids were on it like a cheap suit. Adults, too. More photos here.

A Miniature

Here's an online game I won recently on Yahoo! -- without playing particularly well, I might add. Kids and parents: please analyze and post your observations in a comment below. What did Black do wrong? What did White do wrong?

Have you played any interesting games lately? Did you record the game? If so send us the move history and we'll publish it.

Play the Masters this Sunday

You and your kids can play in a simul at Taste of Chicago

There’s more chess coming to Taste of Chicago. Next Sunday, July 8, Renaissance Knights of Northbrook will hold a “Triple Play Chess Simul” in which three of the top chess masters in the Chicago area will take on 50 regular players in a simultaneous exhibit—a simul, as it’s generally called. In this case, though, instead of one master, there will be three playing the same game: Grand Master Sam Palatnik, International Master Stan Smiatankin, and National Master William Aramil. As I understand it, each chess expert will play the circuit of challengers and play off the moves of the others. I’ve never seen it done this way before, but it should be interesting, to say nothing of making the game move faster and not drag on forever.

Sam Palatnik

William Aramil

Will having to play off another player’s moves unnerve the masters and give the patzers a better chance? The only way to find out is to play.

You can if you hurry. The game will take place Sunday from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. in the Taste Sports Pavilion at the southwest corner of the Buckingham Fountain. If you or your child would like to play in the simul, get in touch with Renaissance Knights right away: RKnightsCCC@aol.com.

Off to Camp

There are still openings at Chicago-area chess camps this summer

Are there still empty weeks in your kid’s schedule this summer? If you’re looking for a way to fill them with something fun and educational, consider one of several chess camps going on in the Chicago area. There might just be one to suit your needs.

All of the camps listed below are run by trained professionals and reputable chess organizations. They’ll work with your kids to show them a good time and improve their chess games. Most combine chess with other activities, to keep the chess fun and prevent it from turning into drudgery. Call or write to each group for details.

The newest camp takes place on the North Side, at the Touch Move Chess Center, a popular new chess club run by International Master Angelo Young, the current and five-time Illinois state chess champion. The six-week camp starts next week, so get in touch soon: (773) 627-2759 or tmchesscenter@hotmail.com. I think you can attend camp for any number of the six weeks it’s open, but check with IM Young for details. More information here.

The only camp I know of on the South Side is run by the Hyde Park Academy for Scholastic Chess, at the Kennicott Park Field House. That’s probably started already, but since it goes for six weeks you may still be able to get in. Get in touch with Coach Wayne Smith.

Chess Education Partners and Renaissance Knights both have camps in the city and out in the ‘burbs.

Check ‘em out. Go to camp and come back to school in midseason form.

March with Ray on Independence Day

Ray School will have a contingent in tomorrow's 4th of July parade in Hyde Park. If you're around and want to march, please come -- and wear those chess club t-shirts. Details below. See you tomorrow.

GOING TO THE 4th OF JULY PARADE IN HYDE PARK? IF SO, WEAR YOUR RAY SCHOOL T-SHIRTS AND MARCH WITH US THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD!! The parade starts with bike/stroller decorating at 10:00 at the corner of 54th St. and Lake Park. We assemble at 10:30 and walk or ride through the neighborhood, winding up at Nichols Park (53rd St. between Kenwood and Kimbark) where there will be music and lots of FREE activities for the kids until 4:00. If you would like to help make the Ray banner or help at the table doing an easy art activity, call Jane Averill at 955-0122 or email at javeril@yahoo.com. SEE YOU ON THE 4TH!

A Taste of Chess

Illinois’s Warren Chess Scholars, including Ray School’s Phillip Parker-Turner and the state’s other top chess kids, held forth today in Grant Park and showed the Taste of Chicago crowd how the game is played. Thanks to chess mom and program chair Andi Rosen and all the kids who shared their chess skills with the people of Chicago.

More photos here.