Daily Herald Article 12-11-2004

Chess king finds more than pawns at school

By Gwen H. Jader Daily Herald Correspondent

Posted 12/12/2004

Playing 18 games of high-level chess at the same time was all in a day's work Saturday for Russian Candidate Master Ilya Korzhenevich in Mundelein High School's first exhibition tournament.

"Every time I come to the board, I remember who I was playing and every move that was made. My position today, however, is very tough," he said.

Korzhenevich was referring to his competition - the best chess players from Mundelein, Libertyville, Carmel and Stevenson high schools.

"I hope I don't make a mistake," Carmel senior Patrick Lacey said at the start of the four-hour contest of wills.

Games progressed quickly at first, and then slowed. The students were allowed to pass five times during the tournament if they needed more time to strategize.

Jeremy Dorn, 11, a member of the Hawthorn Junior High Chess Club, was the youngest competitor, and Mundelein High School freshman Sheila Bustamante was the only girl to participate.

"I feel a little outnumbered, but I love the game," Bustamante said.

In a bid to build interest in the game, Ted Clemens, the coach of Mundelein High School's chess club, sponsored the tournament.

"The way to get better is to play the game," he said. "The best way to learn is to play against an equal or better player and this will help all the players. I invited students from the high schools and from the junior high schools as well to generate interest in the game."

Korzhenevich has played the game since age 6. He teaches in five schools and runs Chess Scholars, an after-school program, in 14 schools. He attended chess school at the Moscow Palace of Pioneers, one of the best youth chess training programs in Russia. He now lives in Chicago.

In the end, 18 games proved too many for Korzhenevich. Chris Girardo, a senior at Libertyville, beat the expert, and Lacey pulled off a tie.