FINAL REMINDER! Vote for ICCA Coach of the Year!

[Erik Czerwin]

Coaches,

If you think you can't vote...  Why?!  You got the email, you're on the list, you're a chess coach, go ahead, click and vote!  One vote per coach, please.  So DON'T forget to vote in the ICCA Coach of the Year (and also complete the ICCA survey!).  The ballot closes on Saturday morning.  The 2026 Coach of the Year will be announced at the IHSA State Chess Tournament.

Click here for the 2025-26 ICCA Ballot

Also, a few reminders... (sorry, it's copy-paste, this stuff is really important!)

-**IHSA Individual Awards** Chess Weekend (Coach Glenn Panner) has organized 

for individual players to earn the Mike Zacate Individual Achievement award based on their performance at the IHSA State Chess Tournament.  Congratulations to all players!  You can pick up your awards at the volunteer table in the playing hall during Round 7.  If you miss it there, pick it up at the US Amateur Team tournament the following weekend.

- The US Amateur Team (North) tournament is in Schaumburg, IL, the weekend after IHSA Final.  It's a great, fun tournament played in 4-board teams of ANY players!  You can play with your team, or against your team with a group of coaches.  Perhaps Conference Coaches vs Conference Coaches...  Check out the site and let me know if you have any questions.

- The IESA tournament is the last weekend of February, back at the Peoria Civic Center.  IESA coaches, be sure to keep up with those timelines, and we'll see you in Peoria.  Let us know if you have any questions or need any support along the way.

- The Illinois K8 Championship in in Schaumburg, IL the weekend after the IESA Tournament.  It's a huge event where all the strongest Illinois scholastic players head out to test their mettle.  Check out the site and make plans today!

- Finally, the US Chess National HS Championship is in Chicago at the end of March.  The early entry deadline is Monday, February 16th, so register TODAY to lock in the lowest entry!  If you have questions, check out the ICCA Nationals page or shoot me an email!

Thanks everyone!  Let's keep supporting and uplifting everyone.  A stronger chess community means a better chess community.  Let me know if you have ideas on how you can support the ICCA and our mission.

-- Erik Czerwin

Assistant Director of Events - US Chess

Secretary - Illinois Chess Coaches Association

Elevating Chess Experiences - Prairie View Hobbies