Renaissance Knights

On Dec. 12 we mailed out our first 'Tournament-in-a-Box'. The box was sent out to meet the following request we had received.

"To Whom It May Concern:

Hello, my name is CPL Bradley Bundenthal. I am currently serving in the US Army in Kabul, Afghanistan. I heard about your organization from a friend deployed to Iraq. There has been a lot of interest from our soldiers in setting up a chess tournament to boost morale. Our local Morale Welfare & Recreation (MWR) is having a difficult time providing support for these soldiers request. Because of this, I am requesting what ever support you can give to be able to create and run a local chess tournament.

Bradley Bundenthal"

208^th Finance

Camp Phoenix

The box contained 15 tournament chess sets with boards, U.S.C.F. Official Rules of Chess book , WinTD pairing program , 2 plaques and 8 medals , Everything Chess Basic Book, Tarish Formula Book, and score sheets.

Cpl Bundenthal has played in some USCF rated tournaments in the past but has never directed a tournament. At the urging of his fellow soldiers and chess players he has stepped forward to direct the Kabul Chess Challenge in January. The base has 8 chess sets and 3 clocks that they have been using but were in need of additional equipment to make this tournament happen. We were happy to work with them and provide Cpl Bundenthal the help he needs to make this event a success.


	July 8 - Triple Play Chess Simul at the Taste of Chicago 12:30 - 2:30 pm This event is free to the public. Chicago has a new Taste Sport! Pavilion as part of the Taste of Chicago located in the southwest corner of the Buckingham Fountain. We will be holding a unique simul in which GrandMaster Sam Palatnik, International Master Stan Smiatankin and Master William Aramil will compete against up to 50 players at the same time.
	June 20 - Noon to 2:00 pm Renaissance Knights' Chess Lunch Break at the Chicago Cultural Center Lots of players stopped in on their lunch break to play some chess and have a good time at the Cultural Center's Come In and Play Center
	June 9 - 3rd Coast Summer Chess Event at the Chicago Cultural Center Come In and Play, located at 72 E. Randolph Street Many people stopped in for a fun filled day of chess. Events included a *noon time blitz tournament* and a *2 pm Quad tournament* with special prizes. Throughout the day people stopped in & play a a game or two one of our unique chess sets, or learned how to play from IM Stan Smiatankin or Master William Aramil. Renaissance Knights was invited by the Chicago Department of Cultural affairs to be a part of Art of Play, the citywide summer celebration of toys, games and the spirit of play that ran from June 1 through September 30, 2007
	June 2, 2007 - Salute to the legendary Tom Fineburg at Tuley Park Field House On June 2, many local chess players came out and help us honor a man who has been playing chess for over 70 years and has been coaching for over 30 years. Tom was presented with a plaque from the Renaissance Knights and a certificate of recognition from The USCF. Tom's wife Maxine was also honored for her years of support to Tom and the chess community with a bouquet of roses. Tom co-founded the Tuley Park Chess Club in the mid seventies for the purpose of providing an opportunity for players of all ages to enjoy chess. For 30 years this has been a labor of love for Tom, who continues to encourage and support young urban players throughout the Chicago area. [Article by NM William Aramil]
	May 11/12, 2007 - 3rd Coast 2 am Blitz Tournament and open play as part of America's first Dusk 'til dawn spectacle The Chicago Tribune named our chess program at Looptopia "Best for Insomniacs". Hundreds of people battled REM sleep and each other while playing chess from 1 to 5 am at the Chicago Cultural Center on May 12 as part of America's first dusk 'til dawn cultural and artistic spectacle staged in Chicago's Loop. The tournament was presented as part of Looptopia at the Cultural Center. Events ran 6pm on Friday, May 11 to 6am on Saturday, May 12 with chess starting at 1 am. Stay up late for music, comedy, dance, puppetry, performance art, and much more. Admission wass free! For the full schedule, The Chicago Cultural Center, located at 78 E. Washington Street, was the signature venue of Looptopia, Americans first dusk ‘til dawn cultural and artistic spectacle staged in Chicago’s Loop on May 11, 2007. [Article by NM William Aramil]
	Holiday Chess Festival at McCormick Place December 28-31, 2006 During the winter break from school we had over 1000 people come through and play chess in our first Holiday Chess Festival at McCormick Place. We were honored to be invited by Chicago's Mayor's Office of Special Events to bring chess to their annual Holiday Sports Festival at McCormick Place. We will be back for the 2007 Holiday Sports Festival with a larger space and more activities. Many of the participants played enough games to earn 21 points and become a CPS All Star and received a medal for their accomplishment. Also, as part of the event we had internet access and many of the participants were able to play chess against some military members serving in the middle east through the Internet Chess Club.
	Chess Sets for Soldiers On Dec. 12 we mailed out our first 'Tournament-in-a-Box'. The box was sent out to meet the following request we had received. "To Whom It May Concern: Hello, my name is CPL Bradley Bundenthal. I am currently serving in the US Army in Kabul, Afghanistan. I heard about your organization from a friend deployed to Iraq. There has been a lot of interest from our soldiers in setting up a chess tournament to boost morale. Our local Morale Welfare & Recreation (MWR) is having a difficult time providing support for these soldiers request. Because of this, I am requesting what ever support you can give to be able to create and run a local chess tournament. Bradley Bundenthal" 208^th Finance Camp Phoenix The box contained 15 tournament chess sets with boards, U.S.C.F. Official Rules of Chess book , WinTD pairing program , 2 plaques and 8 medals , Everything Chess Basic Book, Tarish Formula Book, and score sheets. Cpl Bundenthal has played in some USCF rated tournaments in the past but has never directed a tournament. At the urging of his fellow soldiers and chess players he has stepped forward to direct the Kabul Chess Challenge in January. The base has 8 chess sets and 3 clocks that they have been using but were in need of additional equipment to make this tournament happen. We were happy to work with them and provide Cpl Bundenthal the help he needs to make this event a success.
	3rd Coast Championship April 1 & 2, 2006 We held our first 2 day chess tournament in Northbrook. This was the first local tournament in many years that the top section was FIDE rated. This allowed the chance for current FIDE players to improve their international rating and Unrated FIDE players the opportunity to obtain a FIDE rating. The event drew 91 players including two International Masters and Illinois Newest FIDE Master FM Pasilic. The event also had a Ray Saterlee Memorial Prize in remembrance to a long time supporter of chess in the Chicago area who had past away in 2005.
	Emergency Relief Simul "Hurricane Katrina" September 11, 2005 We held an Emergency Relief Simultaneous exhibition titled "Hurricane Katrina" in which we raised $500.00. GM Yury Shulman generously volunteered his time to play 20 opponents. All proceeds went to The McCormick Tribune Foundation Hurricane Katrina Relief Campaign.
	Free Chess Holiday! September 10, 2005 In partnership with the Chicagoland Community Chess Club we hosted a day of chess and fun at the Harbor Club on Bangs Lake in Wauconda. Activities included blitz, bug house, skittles team chess, chess lesson by IM Stan Smetankin, swimming in an outdoor pool, and tubing & boat rides by Howard Fried.
	Tournament Director Workshops September 18 & November 6, 2005 The first of its kind in Illinois, we held two workshops for Tournaments Directors which were taught by Senior TD Larry Cohen and National TD and author of the 5^th edition of the USCF Rule Book Tim Just.
	Emergency Relief Simul "Starving in Niger" I & II August 7 & 14, 2005 We held an Emergency Relief simultaneous exhibition titled "Starving in Niger I” which raised $130.00, with IM Stan Smetankin who generously volunteered his time. A second Emergency Relief simultaneous exhibition titled Simul "Starving in Niger" II was held, after IM Angelo Young came to the club on August 7 & was so moved, he graciously volunteer his time for the second Simul. This time raising $80.00! The money was sent to: SAVE THE CHILDREN for their relief efforts in Niger.
	Club Sponsors a Child in Need April 02, 2005 We were happy to announce the club has begun the joyful honor of sponsoring a desperate child in need. Her name is Camilla Genelza, she just turned 4 years old and lives in one of the poorest areas of the Philippines. Camilla lives in a family of five and her father Bert, is a laborer who makes a mere $15 dollars a week. The RKnights Chess Club's sponsorship of $18 dollars a month---60 cents a day, provides important basic care, such as: medical and dental care educational assistance new clothing and sturdy shoes malnutrition screenings, emergency food, vitamins and nutrition education *better living conditions and more. Children International is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children living in dire poverty. http://www.children.org/
	Free Chess Festival February 12, 2005 We hosted a day of chess and fun in Northbrook in conjunction with a K-8 grade tournament. Events included a simultaneous exhibition w/ IM Angelo Young, a 5 Round Fischer- Random Chess Tournament, chess classes, and more.
	Renaissance Knights Scholastic K-8 Tournament & Illinois State Bughouse Championship February 12, 2005 We held a 4 round chess tournament for children in grades K-8 which was followed in the evening with a bughouse tournament to determine the 2005 State Bughouse Champion.
	Tsunami Relief Simul With IM Stan Smetankin January 9, 2005 IM Stan Smetankin played a simultaneous exhibition against 10 opponents after a full day of playing chess at Tim Just's Winter Open. The event was able to raise $400.00 which went to AmeriCares Foundation South Asia Earthquake Relief Fund to help the victims of the Tsunami Disaster.