Almost there, and I will be hungry when I arrive

Here we are just a mere 2 days from the start of the event.  We are now over 510 players and still counting.  Which of course means, get there early to get some space in the skittles area.

I have a reputation as a foodie when I travel for chess tournaments.  My co-organizer Tim often likes to tease and remind me of that.  In fact, several years ago at a National scholastic event, I was blasted by the then USCF events manager for being too much of a food tourist.  Now of course she failed to acknowlege that she was as tired of the cafeteria style fare at the tournament venue as I was, and tagged along on my searches for good food.  So I have come to enjoy that description of me. 

So where do we go to eat in Rockford?  I was actually hoping someone would give me some recommendations.  After looking around, I do have a short list of places I want to try.  One of the more surprising things to me about what is available in the area, is that there is a fair amount of different ethnic places.  Places I am considering hitting are the Stockholm Inn for Swedish breakfasts, and smorgasbord.  Rockford has a sizeable Swedish population, and this place is rather well known.  Also, Der Rathskeller for German, and the Mead Longwood market for Deli food.  If anyone has suggestions, please send them on to me, I will be looking forward to it.

Glenn

Sock Monkey Madness

So apparently we aren't the only game in town in Rockford the first weekend in March.  There is a large bowling event in town at the same time, and the far more interesting event... Sock Monkey Madness!!

Sock Monkeys were first created in Rockford by a sock knitting company, and these days there is actually a festival dedicated to the icon of pop culture.  Parents looking to get away from the madness of the tournament can go and make their own monkey!  Details can be found at http://www.midwayvillage.com/wordpress/event-registration/?regevent_action=register&event_id=1

Bonus points to anyone that brings me back a chess themed sock monkey!

Glenn

Overflow hotel

Well, the bad news is that the Clock Tower resort has sold out.  The good news is that means we will likely have a great turnout.

We have come to an agreement with the Holiday Inn at 7550 E State St, which is just a few doors down from the Clocktower, for another block of chess rooms.  The price is $99 per night, just ask for the chess rate.

Thanks,

Glenn

Hotel Update!!

As of yesterday, the hotel only has about 40 rooms remaining, and since our early entry deadline isn't until February 20th, it will likely sell out by then.  I will have alternate hotel deals in place and will be posting them by next weekend.  If the hotel does sell out, PLEASE Contact me. 

Thanks,

Glenn

Rochester Chess book store

We are so fortunate to have, in my opinion, the best chess book and equipment vendor in the country at the IL K-8 championship this year, in Rochester Chess.  In addition to having the best supply of chess equipment in the country, Shelby Lohrman is probably the most knowledgeable guy in the industry! 

So if you need anything for you, your student, or your club, Shelby is the guy to ask.  His prices are exceptional too. 

What to do in Rockford?

One of the fun things about planning chess tournaments is quite often I get to explore the area that the event is in.  And as a parent myself, the thought of sitting around a hotel waiting all day makes me cringe a little.  So I just wanted to point a few things out about the location and Rockford in general. 

For me, the greatest hidden treasure in Rockford is Anderson Gardens.  It is ranked as the 2nd best Japanese gardens in the country!  Who knew??   If you are looking for a place with a little serenity during all of the chess noise, definitely check this place out.  www.andersongardens.org

Food should not be much of an issue during the weekend, because in addition to the restaurants in the hotel itself, there are 17 other restaurants within a 1 mile radius of the hotel.  And a whole lot more as you expand outward.  There is everything from fast food, family friendly, ethnic, and even gut busting midwest farm type cuisine.  Selection should not be an issue. 

During the weekend the Rockford convention and visitors bureau is kind enough to be offering discounted tickets to many of the local area museums and attractions.  Please let me know if you are looking for any specific type of activities, and I will be very glad to make recommendations.

Thanks,

Glenn

Welcome to our blog

Welcome to the official blog for the 2012 IL k-8 chess championships.  On behalf of my co-organizer, Tim Just, we are so excited to be the hosts for the largest scholastic tournament of the year in our state.

This year, the tournament will be hosted in Rockford, for the first time since the mid '90s, so we are hoping to have wonderful representation from all across the state.  Our host hotel is the newly renovated Clock Tower resort.  This hotel has previously hosted such tournaments as the first 3 and record setting National Youth Action Championships.

Since that time, they have added one of the largest video arcades in the state, as well as a phenomenal indoor water park that I can assure the readers that I personally tested out (along with my 6 year old) to make sure that there is enough fun to be had on site.

We do expect that hotel will sell out, and we are nearly halfway sold through our room block while still being 2 months out.  So PLEASE, reserve early, AND MAKE SURE YOU ASK FOR THE CHESS BLOCK of rooms so you don't get shut out.  If you are told that the hotel is sold out, please let me know as I have reserved a few extra rooms just in case, and may be able to get you in anyways.

I should be posting roughly 2-3 times per week until the event on this blog with all sorts of information, so please check back often.  If you have questions, please feel free to post or email.  We are here to make this the best tournament experience ever for the kids.

Thanks,

Glenn