December ICCA Update

[Erik Czerwin]

Coaches,

Happy December!  Holiday season is in full gear, and I hope you've enjoyed a few days off for Thanksgiving.  Family and down-time are always refreshing.  With 3 weeks-ish of classes until winter break, we've got a couple weekends of intense competition coming up, so be sure to register your team and schedule those buses.  If you need ANY help with your program, selecting a good tournament, or maneuvering your district's bureaucracy, just let us know!

Good luck in your conference matches and at these great two weekends of tournaments.  We'll have the January ICCA newsletter out in our next communication.  If you'd like to contribute anything or would like to see anything in the newsletter, let me know!

As we approach Winter Break, if you need any ideas on how to keep your team active and engaged, be sure to send an e-mail!  There are tons of great opportunities, depending on your location.  

Thanks, coaches, for all of your efforts.  Your teams, your players, your communities all benefit from your time and effort.  And the ICCA is here to serve you as you engage young people in this awesome sport.  Happy Holidays, and please let us know if there's anything else you need.

Upcoming Events:

• Saturday, December 7th
• Palatine Pirate Tournament - With an 8-board Varsity Team Section, a 5-board JV Team Section, and an Individual Open section, this 4-Round G/55;d5 tournament hosts one of the most diverse fields every year.  Coach Fisher-Rohde plays music and MCs the event like a pro to make this one of the most fun events all year, as well!  The format ensures high quality competition with team experience for all your players.  Be sure to register soon before it fills up!
• Bolingbrook Raider - With an 8-board Varsity Team Section with 4-rounds of G/45;d5, and a large Individual Open section with 5-rounds of G/30;d5, this large event is a best of the Southwest suburbs.  With easy access to the highway and a great host school, this event is a fantastic tournament to earn your IHSA credit and get your team the competitive experience you're looking for.  Register ASAP as the event will fill up FAST!
• Saturday, December 14th
• Huntley Red Raider - This tremendous tournament boasts an 8-board HS team section and Individual Open section with 4-rounds of G/45;d5, a Middle School Section with 5-rounds of G/30;d5, AND an Elementary section.  This event is like a chess festival taking over the building every year, and it's one heck of a good time.  Register your team and join in!  Notify your feeder schools as well, and let's build those programs with a great competition!
• Kelly HS Invitational - This small event located in Chicago is a long-standing favorite.  Limited to 8 teams due to space, Coach Neal Suwe brings everyone together for a short, fun event that sends everyone into Finals week with a couple wins under their belt.
• Bishop Mac Fightin Irish - This event is in its second year, located in Kankakee, Coach Earsley brings teams together for a 5-Board 4-rounds of G/45;d5 event.  Be sure to register today for your chance to play!
• Brimfield Invitational - Coach Robert Bernales hosts this annual staple of the downstate calendar.  They host a Varsity Team Section, a JV Team Section, a HS Open section, as well as multiple K-8 sections!  Contact Coach Bernales for more info.

That's it until Winter Break.  But be sure to check out the Schedule (ILChessCoach.org/Schedule) for all of the events coming up in January.  January 11th, 18th, and 25th, are packed with final season events and Conference Tournaments.

See you soon!

-- Erik Czerwin

Owner/Operator - Prairie View Hobbies

Fiberglass Manufacturer - Wildman Rocketry

ICCA Secretary - ILChessCoach.org