USCF rated swiss chess tournament on January 3-5, 2025, sponsored by the Austin Chess Club. We offer FOUR sections and a guaranteed prize fund over $5000 and 30 Grand Prix Points. There will be 5 rounds in total over the weekend with two schedules. The Championship and Reserve sections are FIDE rated.
LIMIT 85 players in any single section.
View the Advance Entry List.
Register Online!
Location
Austin Southpark Hotel
4140 Governors Row
Austin, TX 78744
Discounted group room rate at the Austin Southpark Hotel is only $95/night here: Book your group rate for the 2025 Austin Winter Open
Please support the tournament by staying at the event hotel! The above room link is good thru Friday, 12/20/2024.
Round Times
3-DAY
Round 1: Friday, 7:15pm (G/90, +30)
2-DAY
Round 1: Saturday, 9:00am (G/60, +10) (*Games in this round will not be FIDE rated*)
ALL PLAYERS (G/90, +30):
Round 2: Saturday, 1pm
Round 3: Saturday, 6:30pm
Round 4: Sunday, 10:00am
Round 5: Sunday 3:15pm
*Reentry: from 3-day to 2-day schedule is available at any point for Intermediate and Novice sections for a $40 fee. Championship and Reserve players may re-enter round 1 for a $40 fee (changing schedules). For entry into round 1, contact us no later than 8:30am, the Saturday of the event.
*If a player is 15 minutes late for round 1 without notice, they will be withdrawn. In Intermediate and Novice sections (non-FIDE) opponents’ games may be reassigned. Forfeit time for rounds 2-5 is 1 hour, but please contact us (Lori Balkum and Sarah Brauner (austinchessclub@austinchesstournaments.com)) if you are running late for any round or wish to withdraw! (Phone number will be posted onsite and provided via email to players prior to round 1). This is showing common courtesy to your opponent!
Byes
Only ONE 1/2 point bye allowed.
*Deadline to request/remove half-point byes: Saturday 5pm, or before round 2 ends (whichever comes first for your section)
*Deadline to request zero-point byes/withdraw: before your section is paired for the affected round
Registration and Fees
Entry fees are staggered and we would like for you to register early! Register Online!
- $79 if received by Saturday, 10/26/2024, 11:59pm CST
- $89 if received by Saturday, 11/30/2024, 11:59pm CST
- $109 thru the Saturday before the tournament (12/28/2024), 11:59pm CST
- $119 the week of the tournament, thru Thursday, 01/02/2025, 11:59pm CST
- $129 on Friday and onsite, IF space available. Any registrations made onsite after 8:30am, Saturday 1/4/2025 receive a 1st round bye.
Online registrations and online payment are requested. Please contact the registrar (austinchessclub@austinchesstournaments.com) to request help or accommodations.
Withdrawal with refund available if requested by 7pm on Friday one week before the event (12/27/2024). After that time, no refunds. NO EXCEPTIONS. Any refunds will incur a $10 processing and transaction fee.
$25 up-charges (listed below) are NON-refundable. Pay the upcharge later if unsure about eligibility.
Titled players (IM/GM) play for free if space allows. (No entry fee required and no entry fees deducted from winnings if registered before October 26th! Registrations as of October 27th must pay entry fee – returned after completion of 5 rounds of play.) All players should register online. Contact registrar (austinchessclub@austinchesstournaments.com) for coupon code and to inquire about other conditions.
Sections and Prizes
$5435 in prizes 100% guaranteed
One prize per person
Four Sections!.
Players are only eligible for the prizes listed within their section. Limit 85 players in any one section (exceptions granted for ratings 2200+).
Championship (2000+)
*This section will be FIDE rated and will use FIDE rules. USCF ratings used for pairings.
*Registering for the FIDE section permits the tournament organizers to request a FIDE ID on behalf of a player who does not yet have a FIDE ID.
*Players rated 1900-1999 may pay an extra $25 to compete in this section, but are only eligible for place prizes*
• 1st -$925 2nd-$525 3rd-$375
• Expert (2000-2199): 1st -$250 2nd-$150
Reserve (1700 -1999)
*This section will be FIDE rated and will use FIDE rules. USCF ratings used for pairings.
*Registering for the FIDE section permits the tournament organizers to request a FIDE ID on behalf of a player who does not yet have a FIDE ID.
*Players rated 1600-1699 may pay an extra $25 to compete in this section.
• 1st -$540 2nd-$320 3rd-$210 4th-$140
Intermediate (U1700)
*Players rated up to 1699 may play in this section
• 1st -$480 2nd-$260 3rd-$160 4th-$100
Novice (U1400)
*Players rated up to 1399 may play in this section.
• 1st -$430 2nd-$230 3rd-$140
• U1000: 1st -$120 2nd – $80
**January 2025 Supplement (‘Regular’ OTB) ratings will be used for pairing and placement purposes. If no regular rating is available, then other USCF ratings (quick, blitz, online) can and will be considered for section placement
**Requests to play down will not be honored.
**Requests to play up will only be honored if the conditions mentioned above are met and the appropriate fee has been paid. You do NOT need to pay the up-charge during registration, if unsure about rating or section. You will be contacted in late December with directions for payment if necessary.
**Unrated players will be placed at TD’s discretion and are only eligible for place prizes
**Unrated players must disclose foreign and online ratings before their section placement is considered complete. Failure to disclose playing history may result in forfeiture and withdrawal from the event.
Device Policy
Internet enabled devices must be turned off completely during play (not just on silent) and must remain in the player’s bag or face up on the playing tablets. Devices may not be removed from the playing hall during your game. Devices include phones, smartwatches, tablets, etc. These may NOT be on the player’s person or leave the board during the games. Penalties up to or including loss of game and removal from the tournament for violations of this policy. Link to 2024 updated formal device policy.
No notation devices will be approved for the FIDE section. Any notation devices in other sections must be reviewed and logged at chess control no later than 30 minutes prior to player’s first round to receive an approval card. Please review the US Chess Notation Device policy.
Spectators, if allowed, must have devices turned completely off.
More Details
Bring an increment capable clock if possible! Sets and boards provided in all sections!
The hotel has a restaurant and small store that sells coffees, sandwiches, and other snacks. Check your round times and bring food and drink as necessary. Only water (drinks) allowed at the chess board. All food must remain outside the playing room.
We will provide an area for waiting parents and for players to review their chess games. However, we will not babysit your kids. No child should be left unattended.
Questions?
Contact Lori Balkum and Sarah Brauner (austinchessclub@austinchesstournaments.com) if you have questions about this event.