Rockford Chess x South Main Mercado
What is south main mercado?
The South Main Mercado is a vibrant outdoor market in Rockford, Illinois, celebrating the city's rich Hispanic and Latino heritage while fostering community connections.
Organized by Ethnic Heritage Museum, Comprehensive Community Solutions, La Onda, and SWIFTT, this event features live entertainment from local artists, a diverse array of local vendors offering jewelry, clothing, art, and more, alongside food trucks and community organizations providing bilingual support services.
The event is family-friendly and free to the public, offering a unique opportunity to engage with local small businesses and experience the cultural richness of south Rockford
Our focus for s.main mercado
Our focus is introducing Chess to the Latino community in Rockford. We are a fully Latino owned business serving the city of Rockford’s Chess community. Rockford’s Latino Chess player count is underdeveloped due to insufficient exposure to resources and opportunities to play the game. We’ll take this opportunity to introduce Chess in a beginner friendly approach and have spaces for players to participate while also representing the Latino culture through Chess.
Rockford Chess embraces its Latino heritage and would like to grow the Latino chess player count in the city of Rockford. The lessons and skills acquired through chess are valuable to a person which they can take outside of the game. Skills like time management, critical thinking, improved memory, and rationale are proven to uplift a person and when a whole community gets lifted, that community thrives. Our mission is to introduce Chess in an approachable matter to beginners while providing a space for established players. We hope to expand resources and provide space for people to play Chess and leave a mark at this year’s South main Mercado
Featured art
Our featured local artist is Stephanie Romero, who was tasked to create art specifically for Rockford Chess. Herart reflects the event’s theme of La loteria combined with recognizable elements of Chess. Suggesting the many ways Chess can be intergrated with the latino culture bringing bright colors to an otherwise black & white game. We intend to find ways to represent our culture through chess, culture and art. Chess is seen as an exclusive game , however Rockford Chess’ goal is to bring the game for everybody to play. Chess is an inclusive game breaking barriers such as age, gender, race, language and especially culture. We’re introducing Chess as more than a board game but a method to bring a community together.
How to play?
Rockford Chess will be on the corner of South Main st. & Morgan st. An activity area will be designated for Open play & a tournament.
Open play
Available as soon as the event starts at 12pm! An activity area near the corner of South Main & Morgan will be designated for players to sit & play. We encourage guests to play at no cost! Open play may be paused from 2pm - 4pm if all tournament spots get filled.
Learn to play
We’ll have exercises, mini-games and challenges to teach guests while keeping them entertained at our booth! Our minigames are curated to teach people how pieces interact on the board. Each minigame references cards from the La loteria that will represent a piece!
$500 in prizes went to the players who placed first, second and third place!
1st. Gleen G. 5-0
2nd: Nate B. 3-2
3rd: Gabriel E. 3-2
South main mercado chess tournament
Unrated, 5 rounds, SS, G/10
