Greater Peoria Chess Foundation

Organizers

The following people served on the organizing committee to make this tournament possible. They put in long hours in the planning stages to be sure that this is the most successful GPO yet. Say thank you when you see them.

• Patrick Cohen, Pairings Tournament Director
• Jim Efaw, Technical Support
• Murrel Rhodes, Chief Organizer
• Jeff Smith, Tournament Director

Greater Peoria Chess Foundation

And to our local organization for undertaking the task of bringing high qualify chess into Peoria for all our players. Peoria was host to the 1945 US Open. GPCF has twice hosted the National Scholastics in 1989 & 1998. The Greater Peoria Chess Federation and foundation work closely with the Greater Peoria Chess Foundation providing financial support for the promotion of chess locally. The foundation also provides support for the Hult K-12 Chess Club, provides for workshops and private lessons and provides sets and boards to schools in our community for their chess club activities.

Illinois Chess Association

The Illinois Chess Association was founded in the early 1960s by Frank Skoff, Helen & Jim Warren and Jim Brotsos. Today it is led by Peoria's Patrick Cohen and sponsors all state championship tournaments and titles as well as nominating Illinois' representativese to the USCF's annual membership meeting at the US Open. The Illinois All Grade is one of those tournaments and names the state champion of each grade. The tournament is held in Central Illinois in odd number years and in the Chicago metro area in even number years. Peoria is happy to again host this championship tournament.

Coaches, Mentors, Parents and Chess Enthusiasts

For making the time and effort to teach and pass on your knowledge of chess. We all know the wonderful things it does for the mind.

• Chess develops logical thinking.
• Chess teaches independence of thought and action.
• Chess develops the capability to predict and foresee consequences of actions.
• Chess inspires self-motivation.
• Chess shows that success rewards hard work.
• Chess develops the scientific way of thinking.

And finally thank you to all the players who honed their talents with us and displayed their abilities at this tournament. We're glad you could join us, hope you have a wonderful time and wish you chess success in your future tournaments.