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Big News for Idaho Chess! 🎉

Dear Idaho Chess Community,

We are thrilled to announce a major milestone: The Idaho Chess Network (ICN) has officially been granted IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status!
Effective May 4, 2026, every dollar you contribute to ICN is now fully tax-deductible. This validates our commitment to transparency and building a sustainable future for chess in Idaho.
Your support funds everything from tournament operations to scholarships for any player needing financial assistance to compete.

🚨 A Critical Call for Support

We started this organization from scratch with zero dollars. To get us to this point, our President has personally invested hundreds of dollars out of pocket. We have an immediate, urgent need to secure Liability Insurance before we can host our very first event.

We need your help to cover these initial costs and eventually reimburse the President's personal investment. Your donation today directly keeps the lights on and ensures our events happen safely.
Click above for secure, tax-deductible contribution

🏆 SPECIAL SPOTLIGHT: The Inaugural ICN Event – The Idaho Open

Be Part of History!
We are proud to present the inaugural event of the new Idaho Chess Network: The Idaho Open.
This marks a historic moment as we take the reins of one of Idaho's premier chess traditions. While the Idaho Open has long been a staple of our community, this year it serves as the debut tournament for our fresh, transparent, and player-focused organization. Join us for a weekend of high-level competition, community, and celebration as we officially kick off the ICN era.
  • 📅 Date: Saturday, June 27, 2026
  • 📍 Location: Riverside Hotel, 2900 W Chinden Blvd, Boise
  • ⏰ Time: Check-in 9:00 AM | Rounds Start 10:00 AM
  • 💰 Entry: $60 per player, $50 ICN Members, $40.00 Scholastics
  • 🏅 Prizes:
    • Open Section: 1st Place Plaque + $500 / $300 / $100
    • U1400 Section: $100 / $75 / $50
Don't miss the chance to play in the ICN's debut tournament!
👉 Register Now for the Idaho Open

🗓️ Summer Event Schedule

Following our big debut, here is our packed summer calendar! Note: Scholastic Sections are now available at select events!

Event Date Format Location Action
Learning Notation Workshop Sat, June 20, 6:30 PM Online (Zoom) Zoom Register
Idaho Open Sat, June 27, 9:00 AM In-Person Riverside Hotel, Boise Register
Quarterly Quads Sun, July 11, TBD Monthly Event CWI Boise View Details
Summer Classic Sat, July 18, TBD In-Person TBD Register
Chess Camps Jul 20 – Aug 14, 2026 In-Person Boise Area Follow-up Email
Learning Notation Workshop Sun, July 26, 6:30 PM Online (Zoom) Zoom Register
Hall of Fame Sat, Aug 22, 8:30 AM In-Person TBD Register

🎓 Exciting News: Scholastic Sections Added!

We are dedicated to growing the next generation of chess players! To encourage participation, we are introducing Scholastic Sections to many of our tournaments.
Our first events to feature these dedicated divisions are:
  • Summer Classic (July 18)
  • Hall of Fame (August 22)
These sections provide a competitive yet supportive environment for students to learn, gain rating points, and win awards. We plan to expand this effort throughout the year!

🚀 New Series Launch: Quarterly Quads

We are launching an exciting new monthly quad-style tournament series this July! Quarterly Quads plays once per month starting July 11th at CWI Boise.
Entry Fee: Only $20.00 per event!
Time Control: Fast-paced G/25 + 5 (25 minutes base time with 5-second increment).
--- This is a USCF Regular Rated Event

How Payouts Work:
  • Quarterly Prizes: At the end of each quarter, 20% of all registration fees collected go to the Top 3 point-getters of that quarter.
  • Annual Grand Prize: An additional 20% of total annual registration fees is held as a year-end bonus pool.
  • Year-End Winners: At the conclusion of the year, the Top 5 point-getters across the entire year will share this Annual Prize Pool.
    • Note: Top performers can win both their Quarterly prizes AND a share of the Annual bonus!
  • Eligibility: To be eligible for any prize payouts, players must be current ICN Members.
Play consistently to maximize your points and your winnings!

🙋 We Need YOU to Build the Team!

To run successful tournaments and grow our programs, we urgently need volunteers to fill key leadership and operational roles. If you are passionate about Idaho chess, please consider stepping up!
Critical Roles We Are Recruiting For:
  • Tournament Directors (TDs): Lead pairing, scoring, and on-site management for our events.
  • Regional Trustees: Represent and organize chess activities in the South and East regions of Idaho.
  • Women's Coordinator: Develop initiatives and support for female players.
  • Education Coordinator: Oversee school outreach, camps, and instructional programs.
  • General Volunteers: Help with setup, cleanup, and logistics.
No matter your role, your contribution helps make Idaho chess stronger! 👉 Fill Out Our Volunteer Interest Form

📢 US Chess Affiliate Update

Our application to succeed the ICA as the official U.S. Chess state affiliate is scheduled for ratification at the Annual Meeting in August. Rest assured, there are no changes to your current membership or rating eligibility in the meantime.
Thank you for being part of Idaho chess. Together, we are building a stronger, brighter future for the game!

🔗 Quick Links

Warm regards,
The Board of Directors
Idaho Chess Network
(d/b/a Idaho Chess Federation)
📧 info@idahochess.net | 🌐 idahochess.net
© 2026 Idaho Chess Network. All rights reserved | IRS 501(c)(3) Non-Profit | Effective May 4, 2026



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