Hello everyone!

Jonathan Cui(Skinner North), Sophia Mamora(Lasalle Language Academy), Isaac Duarte-Luna(Ancona), and Rohan Malkani(Alcott Elementary) competed in the Chicago Chess Foundation May Scholastic Tournament, which took place at Alfred Nobel Elementary School. Jonathan and Sophia competed in the Pawn's Section, Isaac and Leo in the Knight's Section, and Rohan in the Bishop's Section. The tournament was a five round, swiss-style tournament with a game time of 30 + 5.

In the Pawns Section, Jonathan(3.5 points- 3 wins, bye, and a loss) finished in 7th place). This was Jonathan's first tournament and top ten finish. Sophia(3.0 points- 2 wins, a bye, and a loss) finished in 16th place with her first top twenty finish of the year. Sophia has made huge strides developing her game under the tutelage of Coach Angelyn.

In the Knight's Section, Leo(3.0 points- 3 wins and 2 losses) finished in 12th place. Leo also competed in the team event, with his team finishing in 2nd Place! Isaac( 3.0 points- 3 wins and 2 losses) finished in 17th place. Isaac is learning fast and continues to improve by practicing, as well as gaining valuable experience by competing in multiple tournaments each month.

In the Bishop's Section, Rohan(2.5 points- 1 win, draw, stalemate, and a loss) finished in 35th place. This was Rohan's very first tournament! Rohan works with Coach Joseph each week and is looking forward to his next tournament experience!

There were a total of 241 students who participated in this tournament. Congratulations to all of our team members for their hard work, dedication, and preparation! Special thanks to our coaches who work with these students to help improve their games. We look forward to the next event!

Can you say NATIONAL CHAMPION?

Matthew Yu(Skinner North) traveled to the state of Ohio and competed in the K-1st Section in the National Elementary K-6th Championship. A seven-round, swiss-style tournament with 83 players from 19 different states in the section, Matthew finished in a four-way tie for 1st place and finished as the Co-National Champion. Matthew was resilient over the four-day event and battled adversity during the opening rounds. Matthew entered the tournament on a hot streak, winning the Illinois Youth K-5th Invitational five days earlier. The first day consisted of a round one win, but a second round loss. It was Matthew's first loss in his last 5 tournaments. Entering day two in 17th place, Matthew rebounded quickly, reeling off three convincing wins. Matthew began the final day in 11th place with two rounds remaining. Matthew won the final two rounds creating a four-way tie for 1st Place(4th Place with tie-breaker) and being named Co-National Champion! Matthew finished with 6.0 points(6 wins and 1 loss). For more information on his victory click here:(new.uschess.org/news/young-champions-crowned-2022-national-elementary-k-6-championship).

For complete results, please click on the link below.
www.uschess.org/results/2022/elem/?page=STANDINGS&xsection=K1

Today, Matthew Yu(Skinner North) competed in the 2022 National Elementary K-3rd Blitz Championship in Columbus, OH. The Blitz Championship is the prelude to the 7-round tournament. which takes place this weekend. Matthew is the first student of Minds and Visions of the Future to participate in an out-of-state event. 58 students from 26 different states participated in this event. The game time for this event was G/5 + 0. Matthew received 8.0 points(3 wins, 2 draws, and 1 loss). Matthew finished in 11 place(tie-breaker for 6th place). Matthew did receive an award for the highest score among his rating class(1000-1099) in the tournament.

Matthew will now prepare for a seven-round, Swiss-style tournament, which will take place Friday-Sunday. We wish him the best of luck! Click on the link below to view the complete standing for the Blitz tournament.

www.uschess.org/results/2022/elem/?page=STANDINGS&xsection=K3BLITZ

This past weekend, Matthew Yu participated in the Illinois Chess Association 2022 Youth Invitational. This was an invite-only tournament and consisted of select players competing in a designated section: Rockefeller(K-5th), Barber(6th-8th), Denker(9-12th), and the Haring(Girls). This was a five-round, Swiss-style tournament, which consisted of classical games with a G/90 + 30 increment. Matthew Yu entered the tournament as the lowest rated player, completed five, grueling rounds over a three day period winning ALL FIVE rounds! Matthew Yu finished with a score of 5 points( 5 wins, 0 losses) and will now represent the state of Illinois at the John D. Rockefeller III National Tournament of Elementary School State Champions, which will take place July 30th- August 2nd, 2022 at the Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa in Rancho Mirage, California. Matthew was also the only player of any section to win all five rounds. What a Mother's Day gift for Matthew's mother!
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Round 1: Andy Dong(1456) vs Matthew Yu(1078)
Winner: Matthew Yu

Round 2: Scott Escalera(1393) vs Matthew Yu(1078)
Winner: Matthew Yu

Round 3: Matthew Yu(1078) vs Yohan Gosh(1512)
Winner: Matthew Yu

Round 4: Matthew Yu(1078) vs Agasta Vanama(1312)
Winner: Matthew Yu

Round 5: Maurya Chandra(1541) vs Matthew Yu(1078)
Winner: Matthew Yu

For final standings, click on the link below.

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​Last weekend, the Kasparov Chess Foundation hosted the 17th Annual KASPAROV CHESS FOUNDATION ALL GIRLS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP CHESS TOURNAMENT at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place. This was a 3 day event beginning on Friday, April 22nd and carrying over into Sunday, April 24th. This tournament consisted of 6 sections(U8, U10, U12, U14, U16, and U18). Anna Jiao(Skinner North) participated in her first rated tournament of the year, in the U8 section, which had a total of 59 participants and finished in the Top 20( 3 wins and 1 Draw, 3.5 points-20th Place). Anna also finished with the highest score among participants with a U500 rating. Anna improved her USCF rating from unrated to 635.

There were a total of 386 students in the event from all over the country. Congratulations to Anna for her perseverance, dedication, and hard work! Keep up the good work. 

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Hello all!

This past weekend, Matthew Yu participated in the CAVEMAN CHESS BIRTHDAY SCHOLASTIC CHESS TOURNAMENT in Northbrook, IL! This tournament was a FIDE(International Chess Federation) and USCF(United States Chess Federation) rated event. Matthew was able to win the tournament finishing with another 1st Place Finish! Matthew(Skinner North) finished with a perfect score of 5 points(5 wins). Matthew competed against 24 students from a total of 3 states(Idaho, Wisconsin, and Illinois). 

Matthew has now won two of the last three tournaments he has participated in(the other was a 2nd place finish). Congratulations to Matthew for his hard work, commitment, and success! Keep up the good work. 

Last Saturday, Matthew Yu, participated in the Chicago Chess Center Rated Beginners' Open #40, hosted by the Chicago Chess Center. This tournament took place at the University of Illinois at Chicago. This was a 5-round, Swiss-style rated event. Although some of the participants were much older, Matthew(Skinner North) took home a 1st Place finish( 5 wins, 5 points)! Matthew continues to compete at a high level and now has a +1000 rating. Matthew was also able to share some pointers with other chess players as well. 

Congratulations to Matthew on his 1st place finish and dedication to his craft!

Minds and Visions will have participants in the following tournaments this weekend: 
- Caveman Birthday Scholastic Tournament- April 23rd, 2022 @9:00am CST
- Kasparov Chess Foundation All-Girls National Championship- April 22nd-April 24th, 2022
- Chicago Chess Foundation April Scholastic Chess Tournament- April 23rd, 2022 @10:00am CST

On April 9th, 2022, four of our players participated in the Chicago Chess Center Rated Beginners' Open #39. This tournament was hosted by the Chicago Chess Center and took place at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Some of the opponents they faced were much older and experienced than they were but they competed! Ire Erogbogbo, Catherine Zhao, Bota Narthasilpa, and Isaac Duarte-Luna competed in a rated 5-round, Swiss-style tournament. Ire(Frederick Nerge Elementary) competed in his second rated tournament of the year resulting in a top ten finish( 3 wins, 3 points- 8th Place). Bota(Hawthorne Scholastic Academy) competed in his first tournament of 2022(1 win, 2 points). Catherine(Alexander Graham Bell School) competed in her very first rated event(1 win, 1 point). Isaac(Ancona School) competed in his third event of the year(1 win, 1 point).

These students continue to work hard, compete until the end, and gain experience! Congratulations to Isaac, Bota, Ire, and Catherine on a job well done!


​Minds and Visions will have participants in the following tournaments this weekend: 
- Caveman Birthday Scholastic Tournament- April 23rd, 2022 @9:00am CST
- Kasparov Chess Foundation All-Girls National Championship- April 22nd-April 24th, 2022
- Chicago Chess Foundation April Scholastic Chess Tournament- April 23rd, 2022 @10:00am CST
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On March 27th, 2022, two of our players, Grace Shu and Isaac Duarte-Luna participated in the Rated Beginners' Open #38 hosted by the Chicago Chess Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago. This was a 5-round, Swiss-Style tournament with a game time of 30 + 5. Grace (Chicago Lab School) was participating in her very first tournament and earned a win and bye(2 points, 8th place). Isaac(Ancona School) earned a bye(1 point, 9th Place).

The tournament consisted of ten players and provided the opportunity for beginners to participate in a rated event. Congratulations to Isaac and Grace for their effort and hard work! They both gained valuable experience, by playing in the tournament.

Minds and Visions will have participants in the following tournaments this weekend: 
- Caveman Birthday Scholastic Tournament- April 23rd, 2022 @9:00am CST
- Kasparov Chess Foundation All-Girls National Championship- April 22nd-April 24th, 2022
- Chicago Chess Foundation April Scholastic Chess Tournament- April 23rd, 2022 @10:00am CST

Over the weekend, 3 of our students, Anna Jiao, Leo Lee, and Matthew Yu competed in the Illinois K-8th Championship(K-4th Section) held at Dunbar Vocational Career Academy. Anna Jiao(3 points, 3 wins), Leo Lee(4 points, 4 wins) and Matthew Yu(4 points, 4 wins) won 1st Place edging out Keller Regional Gifted Center by half a point!

There were a total of 121 students from 24 schools. CONGRATULATIONS to Ethan, Anna, and Leo for working together for a major accomplishment! Our next event will be the Chicago Chess Center Rated Beginners' Open #39 on April 9th, 2022! The results  are below!

https://results.cpschess.org/index.php/2021-2022/cps-k-8-championship/