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| Dear Idaho Chess Community, |
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⚡ UPCOMING EVENT: Buckendorf Senior State Championship (50+)
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We are excited to remind all senior players that registration is quickly closing for the Buckendorf Senior State Championship! This event is open to Idaho residents aged 50 and older.
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- Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026
- Location: Boise NeighborHub, Downtown Boise
- Format: 4-Round Swiss, G/45;d5 (US Chess Rated)
- Prize: The winner will be named Idaho’s Representative to the John T. Irwin National Tournament of Senior State Champions, held during the upcoming U.S. Open.`
Time is running out to secure your spot! Please Register Here immediately.
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2026 ICA Girls & Women’s State Championship Results
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Following the excitement of our upcoming senior event, we are also proud to announce the results of the 2026 Girls & Women’s State Championship, held on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at the Boise NeighborHub.
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Due to the number of registrants, the Girls and Adult Women sections were combined into a single competitive field. This unique format allowed players of all ages and experience levels to compete together, showcasing the depth of talent within Idaho’s female chess community. Twelve players participated in a spirited 4-round Swiss tournament, demonstrating exceptional skill and sportsmanship.
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Tournament Highlights & Results
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The competition resulted in two players finishing with identical scores of 3.5 points. Under our tournament rules, a playoff round would have been required if the top two finishers had both been from the same category (e.g., both Adults or both Scholastic). However, since the top two finishers represented different divisions, both were crowned champions of their respective categories:
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🏆 2026 Adult Women’s State Champion:
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- Tilly Backstrom (Rating: 1533) – Finished with 3.5 points
🏆 2026 Girls’ State Champion:
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- Elliana Stella Solis (Rating: 715, Grade 3) – Finished with 3.5 points
🥉 Third Place (3.0 Points):
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- Marcella Maya Whitecloud (Rating: 916)
🏅 Fourth–Sixth Place (2.5 Points):
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- Lucia Inez Solis (Rating: 795, Grade 6)
- Cassandra Schiffler (Unrated)
- Kalani Krienke (Rating: 248, Kindergarten)
- Malea Eva Heineck & Emily Moon Hee Kim
- Kierra Funderburg Cartwright
- Celeste Muller
- Harlow Jean Boone & Kelsey Ann Hawkins
National Representation & Invitations
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We are thrilled to announce the selections for upcoming national events:
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1. Ruth Haring Girls Tournament of Champions
As the Overall Girl's Winner of the 2026 State Championship, Elliana Stella Solis has been officially named Idaho’s Representative to the Ruth Haring Girls Tournament of Champions, to be held during the upcoming U.S. Open.
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2. Susan Polgar Foundation Girls Invitational (SPFGI)
Selections have also been made for the Susan Polgar Foundation Girls Invitational, which will be held as an online tournament this year. Two players have been selected to represent Idaho:
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- Candice Liang: Selected as the Idaho State Scholastic Champion.
- Elliana Stella Solis: Selected based on her overall placement in the Idaho State Scholastic Championship, the Idaho Scholastic Tournament of Champions, and her victory in this Girls' State Championship.
Congratulations to Candice and Elliana on these prestigious invitations!
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Looking Ahead: Upcoming Tournaments
We invite everyone to continue the momentum with our exciting summer and fall schedule:
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- Idaho Open: June 27–28, 2026
- Summer Classic: July 18, 2026
- Hall of Fame Tournament: August 22, 2026
A Note on Community Growth
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While the tournament size was smaller than in previous years, the quality of play and the camaraderie among participants were outstanding. Combining the sections allowed for a more dynamic event where younger players could compete directly against experienced adults, fostering mentorship and inspiration across generations.
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We extend our heartfelt thanks to all 12 participants, their families, the volunteers, and the Boise NeighborHub for hosting. We are committed to continuing our efforts to grow girls' and women's chess in Idaho and look forward to seeing even larger fields in future years.
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Congratulations to our champions and our national representatives. Thank you to everyone who supports the Idaho Chess Association.
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