Pairings, wall charts, and standings: all sections
Reminder Emails: open
**The open section is currently scheduled to play in the Rhetoric Building library (3rd floor)
USCF rated chess tournament for adults and more advanced scholastic players (rated 1200 and above) in two sections. View the preregistration list here. (Less experienced youth players should register for the scholastic event!) Online registration closes Thursday at noon!
Basics
This is a Swiss-system tournament, so everyone plays all day—there is no “elimination.” Players must know how to play the game of chess! We follow USCF rules including: touch-move, mandatory clocks (bring your own if at all possible), and mandatory notation.
Location
Regents School of Austin
3230 Travis Country Circle
Austin, Texas 78735
Parents may wait in the cafeteria. Open sections chess play will take place in the Rhetoric building library. No specators, please.
Eligibility
All adults
Any youth who have reached 1200 at some point in their ratings’ history.
Ineligible entries will be moved to the appropriate scholastic section of the 2022 Spring Scholastic at Regents School. This is a rated tournament. You must have a USCF ID and your membership (can be purchased/renewed at check out or online with the USCF in advance of registration) . You can verify your USCF membership ID and expiration by visiting the USCF’s Member Services Area. Anyone can become a USCF member. Players new to tournament chess are welcome to play. Your USCF membership cannot expire before April 30, 2022. USCF memberships can be renewed/purchased at check-out.
Sections
We will offer TWO Open sections:
Open Upper: 1500+
This section is open to any youth or adult rated at least 1500.
Open Lower: U1600
This section is open to any youth or adult rated under 1600.
Note: players rated 1500 to 1599 get a choice of sections!
Schedule
No check-in necessary for preregistrations. We will make every attempt to contact you in advance if we see a problem with your registration. Verify your entry ONLINE!
9:00 a.m. Open sections begins. Open has 4 rounds, all rounds are are G/45, d5.
No changes for round 1 (bye or section) allowed after online registration closes. Requests for byes, withdrawals, player info edits and school information may be made onsite and go into effect as of round 2. Onsite registrations only at the discretion of the open section TD. Register online!.
Approximate Round Times
Open Sections:
rd 1 – 9:00am, rd2 – 11:00am, rd3 – 1:00pm, rd4 – 3:00pm
Notes
There will be some “down time” between rounds since many games will finish early. We will provide an area (outside the tournament room) for casual “skittles” chess and/or other indoor activities.
Concessions will be provided by Regents School. Coolers welcome. Only water bottles allowed at the chess board.
COVID-19 protocols are set based on the Travis County Stage of COVID-19. Currently, facemasks are required. Players are asked to wash hands frequently and use common sense. If you’re not feeling well or have been exposed to COVID-19 in the 14 days preceding the event, please do not attend. All pairings and wall charts will be posted online only to avoid crowding. If Austin-Travis County is reduced to Stage 3 by the time of the event, facemasks will become optional. Proper handwashing and adherence to exposure guidelines are always in force!
Awards
Cash prizes, based on number of entries to top finishers in each Open Section. Under prizes offered as well. Special trophies will be awarded to the highest scoring Family & Child teams. The ‘parent-child’ team category has been expanded to include grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and even siblings. But one member of the family team MUST be of NON-scholastic age! Please email the registrar to declare your family team after you register.
Registration Information
Entry fee pricing is staggered and based on date of entry/payment.
*Early entry (youth $25, adult $20) thru Saturday, 02/26/2022.
*Regular entry (youth $30, adult $25) thru Saturday, 03/20/2022.
*Late entry (youth $40, adult $35) begins Sunday, 03/21/2022 and ENDS at NOON on Thursday 03/31/2022, at which time online entry closes.
*If space permits, onsite registration will be permitted, $50 regardless of age. Cash preferred. First round play requires registration before 8:45am.
Withdrawals requested before Thursday, 03/31/2022 are eligible for a refund (minus a $5 service fee). No refunds for USCF memberships after purchased from the USCF. NO email/phone entries.
Email Lori Balkum, registrar with other questions. No phone calls, please. Emails will be returned promptly.
Organized by Rocks & Rooks. Gary Gaiffe, tournament organizer.