Doug Phenicie, January 29, 2011

The ECICL League Championship will be at Heyworth High School on January 29, 2011. Registration will be 8-8:30. As in years past, the tournament will use octagonals (three rounds, G60/5). Awards for the top teams in each division and for the top twelve individuals will also be handed out during the opening ceremonies. During the lunch hour, there will be the first ever ECICL Bughouse Championship (G4) for those interested.

The tournament is named in memory of Doug Phenicie, a Georgetown-Ridge Farm High School graduate who died tragically in a car accident at 19 years of age. He helped lead Georgetown-Ridge Farm in winning the IHSA State Championship in 1989. Doug Phenicie's dedication, maturity, and leadership were self-evident. With the tournament dedicated in his honor, it is hoped that his ideals will live on.

League Final Team

The following results are unofficial until reviewed by ECICL coaches at the Doug Phenicie. Congratulations to all teams. Uni won in the East and U-High won in the West,

East
1. Uni
2. Bismarck
3. Urbana
4. LaSalette
5. Mattoon
6. Georgetown

West
1. U-High
2. Mahomet
3. Heyworth
4. Danville
5. Charleston
6. Olympia

League Final Individual

Results are unofficial until reviewed by ECICL coaches at the Doug Phenicie! The top 12 players for the 2010-2011 are as follows: 1. George Ruan, Uni; 2. Ken Albin, Bis; 3. Max Sigalov, Uni; 4. Nathan Beauchamp, Uni; 5. Jacob White, Bis; 6. Josh Ayers, U-Hi; 7. Kaleb Schwaiger, Mah; 8. Evan Millam, Mah, and Jeff Sweedler, Urb; 10. Alex Russell, Hey; 11. Cole Frank, U-Hi; 12. Drew Potter, U-Hi.

The following player played at least 8 matches and is undefeated for the 2010-2011: Nathan Beauchamp, Uni. Congratulations Mr. Beauchamp!

Sam Corbin Recognized for 37 Years of Service

IHSA Tournament Director Mike Zacate presents Georgetown-Ridge Farm High School Coach Sam Corbin with a plaque from the ECICL. Mr. Corbin started in 1974 at Ridge Farm High School, and his support of students and chess have never wavered. Besides winning the IHSA Class A Championship in 1989, Mr. Corbin has led his students all over the state and the nation. Perhaps his biggest achievement is cultivating a love of the game that lasts long after his players graduate. Past graduates regularly keep in contact. Mr. Corbin will be missed at the end of the season when he retires. Everyone wishes him the best of luck.

League Round 12 Team (Updated 01/21/2011)

After 12 rounds, Uni High in the East and U-High in the West continue to be undefeated with a perfect 12-0 score. Both teams are slated to play each other in round 15; this match seems destined to be the deciding factor in who will have the best overall score. Bismarck has the next best score, at 8-4; they dropped two matches against Uni. LaSalette (7-5) played valiantly against Urbana (5-7), but Urbana held LaSalette off to score two wins. Georgetown (1-11) dropped two matches to Mattoon (2-10), giving the latter team its first wins of the season. Charleston (4-8) could not get past Heyworth (7-5). Meanwhile, Mahomet (7-5) easily handled Danville (5-7). Olympia (2-10) could not get past the top West team, U-High.

There are four matches left. LaSalette and Mattoon completed rounds 9/10, with LaSalette picking up two wins.

League Round 12 Individual (Updated 01/21/2011)

After 12 rounds, the leaders by point total are the following: 1. Gordon Ruan, Uni; 2. Josh Ayers, U-High and Max Sigalov, Uni; 4. Ken Albin, Bis; 5. Nathan Beauchamp, Uni; 6. Evan Millam, Mah; 7. Kaleb Schwaiger, Mah; 8. Cole Frank, U-High; 9. Connor Spencer, LaSalette; 10. Alex Russell, Hey; 11. Jacob White, Bis; 12. Nathan Fritz, Char.

Several players, such as Jonah Hiltebeitel, Shawn Lu, Kathy Qiu, Alex Su, Nicholas Jemison, and Jaedan JeRue, are within one or two wins of breaking into the top 12. Some players have moved up and down after the last round. There continue to be many players with an undefeated record.

Illini Classic January 8, 2011

Congratulations to Uni High for winning the Illini Classic Varsity with a perfect 4-0 score. Normal U-High won the Junior Varsity with a perfect score as well.

For a complete report, please go to ICCA Illini Classic.

League Round 10 Team (Partial Results) Updated 01/10/2011!

Uni High and U-High continued their winning ways. Uni High took down Georgetown (1-9) to remain undefeated at 10-0. U-High is also 10-0 by defeating Mahomet, though Mahomet (5-5) gave them a scare in the first round. Danville (5-5) is once again at .500, picking up two wins again Charleston (4-6). The second round was very close, with Danville eking out a win at 30-28. Bismarck improves to an impressive (8-2) by beating Urbana (3-7) twice, with the second match being close at 33-25. Heyworth (5-5), led by returning first Board Brett Farrell, beat Olympia (2-8)  in two matches.

LaSalette and Mattoon still have scores to report.

League Round 10 Individual (Partial Results) Updated 01/10/2011!

Top 12 players: 1. George Ruan, Uni; 2. Ken Albin, Bismarck; 3. Max Sigalov, Uni; 4. Josh Ayers, U-High; 5. Nathan Beauchamp, Uni; 6. Nathan Fritz, Charleston and Evan Millam, Mahomet; 8. Alex Russell, Heyworth; 9. Jacob White, Bismarck and Kaleb Schwaiger, Mahomet; 11. Cole Frank, U-High; 12. Jaedan JeRue, Bismarck.

Many players moved up and down. For example, Ken Albin moved from #5 to #2 and Max Sigalov moved up a couple of places. At only 0.5 points behind, Shawn Lu plays board five for Uni, and this shows the tremendous job he has done to be at the top of the league. Nathan Fritz, ranked #6, graduated early from Charleston High School. He played his last league match in December. Also, there continue to be several undefeated players. Many players are less than five points away from being in the top 12.

LaSalette and Mattoon have not submitted their results yet. As a result, these players could move up by as much as 36 points.