Chicago Tribune Article 06-19-2005

Russian chess master to share knowledge with kids this summer

June 19, 2005

PALATINE -- Russian chess master Ilya Korzhenevich started playing at age 6 in Moscow. At 10 he could beat his father.

This summer Korzhenevich will be teaching chess to children ages 8 through 14 at Harper College in Palatine.

"It's a once-in-a-lifetime chance to learn chess from a Russian master," said Deanna White, college spokeswoman. "This will be the first time [chess] is taught at our summer program."

Korzhenevich gave up competing at 14 because he said he realized it would be tough to earn a living. He made it to the candidate-master level of Russian chess.

"It's not an especially high mark of achievement," said Korzhenevich. He estimated that around 500 in Russia are candidate-master chess players.

Still, those who play him often find that assessment too modest. He can play chess blindfolded, keeping the location of each piece in his mind.

Korzhenevich came to the United States in 1995 with his family. He is teaching chess and working his way through college. Now 27, he is a graduate student at the University of Illinois at Chicago and aspires to become a high school math teacher.

Korzhenevich will teach eight classes this summer at Harper. The first starts June 20. The cost for each class is $109. For more information, call the college at 847-925-6300.

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