IHSA State Chess Tournament Ready to “Check” into Peoria

Chess masters will make their move when the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) hosts the 2012 State Chess Tournament Feb. 10-11 at the Peoria Civic Center. A total of 138 high school chess teams, including some from several area schools, have entered the tournament.

The competition begins at 8:45 a.m. Friday, Feb. 10, and 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, in the Civic Center Ballroom. Local teams registered to participate are Morton, Peoria and Princeville.

“Our goal is to always bring more kids to Peoria than the year before,” said Scott Johnson, IHSA assistant executive director. “Last year, we had 128 teams participating. We hope to be over 130 this year.”

An awards ceremony, with trophies and medallions presented to first, second and third place teams, will take place at 5 p.m. Feb. 11. Plaques also will be presented to teams that score outside the top three rankings.

This is the 12th consecutive year the two-day tournament has played in Peoria. The public is welcome to attend.

Founded in 1900, the Illinois High School Association is a non-profit organization with over 780 member high schools in the state. The purpose of the IHSA is to provide leadership for the development, supervision and promotion of good sportsmanship in interscholastic competition and other activities in which its member schools choose to engage.

The IHSA’s 2012 State Chess Tournament will create an economic impact of about $85,500 and fill 380 hotel rooms in the Peoria Area. There will be about 1,400 individuals in attendance.

The PACVB represents an eight county region including Bureau, Fulton, Marshall, Mason, Peoria, Stark, Tazewell and Woodford. The organization’s mission is to promote the Peoria Area as a destination for visitors and contribute to the economic growth of the communities they represent.

Source: http://www.cantondailyledger.com