Winter Break Chess Update

[Erik Czerwin]

Coaches,

What a great chess season so far!  Check out the ICCA Team Data Sheet (here: bit.ly/ICCAteams).  110 teams have competed in qualifying tournaments already, and there are currently 186 schools on the entry list (found here: https://www.ihsa.org/sports/chess/state-series/entries).  Schools across the state are competing in conference matches, sharing tips, growing their players and their teams.  Congrats to all the teams for providing these experiences for players.  And thank YOU for your service to chess and to your team.  The ICCA is here to provide whatever YOU need to build, support, operate, and manage your program.  If there's anything we can do to make your lives easier as teacher/chess coaches, let us know!

Looking and the tournament schedule (found here: https://www.ilchesscoach.org/Schedule), Saturday, December 13th is JAM PACKED with great events.  Find the one that suits your needs and register today!

And take a look at what January has to offer so you can get your team into the swing of Championship season...

• Saturday, January 10th
• Naperville Central Tournament - A long-running event that picked up where the original Glenbard Raider event left off.  Coach Steger always hosts a great event with one of the best TD teams in the country.  Test your skills against the best in the state before heading into Championship season!
• Joliet Central Winter Castle Classic - A new event to the calendar, this 2nd annual event now includes a Middle School section!  This is a great event at a great venue with one of the best hosts in the state.  Rodney Coatney welcomes all teams to enjoy a great tournament experience for everyone!
• CONFERENCE TOURNAMENTS
• Many (most?) high school teams play in a conference season-ending tournament on either January 17th or 24th.  Check with your conference rep about those events and make sure you participate!
• Saturday, January 17th
• CICL Classic - This is THE downstate tournament to attend.  One of the longest-running legacy events on the ICCA circuit, the CICL Classic has been rebranded many times, but the annual gathering of downstate teams is always a tremendous competition.  Make your way to Normal, IL, for this year's event
• Saturday, January 24th
• UEC Championship - The Upstate 8 Conference opens up their conference tournament to any other team that wishes to participate.  Check it out!
• Saturday, January 31st
• IHSA SECTIONALS!

Upcoming important IHSA deadlines...

Be sure to note and complete the tasks by deadlines!  All of this is found in the IHSA Chess Team Manual, which answers every question you could think of (found here: https://ihsa-assets-prod.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/documents/chess/2025-26/school-manual.pdf)

• January 13 Deadline to submit Roster of all players and Coaches in the List of Participants form through the IHSA Schools Center.  Failure to submit a roster constitutes withdrawal from the tournament.
• By January 15 (4 pm) List of schools assigned to sectional tournaments posted online
• January 21 Deadline to view online rules presentation.  Failure to view the rules presentation or submit a roster constitutes withdrawal from the tournament.
  Withdrawal deadline - Withdrawing or failing to appear at a tournament after this date will incur a $100 penalty.
• January 26
• 10 am Season summaries due
• 11 am Sectional seeding begins
• January 27
• 12:00pm (noon) Sectional seeds due
• (4 pm) Sectional seeds posted
• January 28
• 11:59pm Strength Order for Sectionals due in Schools Center
• January 29 Chesscalate passwords sent to coaches for Sectionals.
• January 31 Sectional tournaments conducted at various sites

Finally, don't forget to talk to your teams about HS Nationals in March (27th-29th).  This is an incredible opportunity, and the registration should be open by the time you all head out for Winter Break.

Ok, that's plenty for now, coaches.  I hope that your winter breaks are relaxing.  Put down those assignments you've been meaning to grade, take a breath, and enjoy the winter moment with friends and family.  If you need any support with your team to make the logsitics lighter, the ICCA is here to help.  We're going to have a thrilling spring season, and I'll see you over the boards in 2026!

-- Erik Czerwin

Assistant Director of Events - US Chess

Secretary - Illinois Chess Coaches Association

Elevating Chess Experiences - Prairie View Hobbies