Thank you to everyone who played! View the FINAL RESULTS! The tournament has been the event has been rated by the USCF, and has been submitted to FIDE.
USCF rated swiss chess tournament on January 26-28, 2024. We offer 4 sections and a guaranteed prize fund of $5000 and 30 Grand Prix Points. There will be 5 rounds in total with two schedules. The Championship section is FIDE rated.
Player reminder email will be sent on Thursday.
Onsite notes:
The hotel has provided info on food that will be available onsite. Check your round times and bring food and drink as necessary. Only water is allowed at the board!
LIMIT 80 players in any single section.
Location
Austin Southpark Hotel
4140 Governors Row
Austin, TX 78744
Discounted group room rate at the Austin Southpark Hotel is only $109/night here: Hotel Booking Link
Please support the tournament by staying at the event hotel! Link valid thru 1/15/24.
Round Times
3-DAY
Round 1: Friday, 7:30pm (G/90, +30)
2-DAY
Round 1: Saturday, 9:00am (G/60, +10) (Championship players: *Games in this round will not be FIDE rated*)
ALL PLAYERS (G/90, +30):
Round 2: Saturday, 1pm
Round 3: Saturday, 7pm
Round 4: Sunday, 9:30am
Round 5: Sunday 3:30pm
*Reentry: from 3-day to 2-day schedule is available for all sections except Championship, for a $40 fee. 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*If a player is 15 minutes late for round 1 without notice, they will be withdrawn.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 Reserve, Novice, and Club sections their 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 6pm, 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
- $79 if received by Wednesday, 11/8/2023, 11:59pm CST
- $89 if received by Saturday, 12/16/2023, 11:59pm CST
- $109 thru the Wednesday before the tournament (1/24/24), 11:59 CST
- $129 onsite, IF space available. Any registrations made onsite after 8:30am receive a 1st point bye.
Online registrations and online payment are requested. Please contact the registrar (austinchessclub@austinchesstournaments.com) to request help or accommodations.
Titled players (IM/GM) play for free if registered before January 20, 2024 (entry fees deducted from winnings). Must register online. Limit 5 free entries. Contact registrar (austinchessclub@austinchesstournaments.com) for coupon code.
Withdrawal with refund available if requested by 9pm on Saturday one week before the event (1/20/2024). After that time, no refunds. NO EXCEPTIONS. Any refunds will incur a $10 processing and transaction fee. $25 up-charges (listed above) are NON-refundable.
Sections and Prizes
$5000 in prizes 100% guaranteed
One prize per person
Four Sections with class prizes.
Players are only eligible for the prizes listed within their section. Limit 80 players in any one section (exceptions granted for ratings 2200+).
(Championship 1800+)
*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 1700-1799 may pay an extra $25 at registration (non-refundable) to compete in this section, but are only eligible for place prizes*
• 1st -$950 2nd-$475 3rd-$240
• Expert (2000-2199): 1st -$340 2nd-$170
• Class A (1800-1999): 1st -$275 2nd-$130
(Reserve 1400-1799)
*Players rated 1300-1399 may pay an extra $25 at registration (non-refundable) to compete in this section, but are only eligible for place prizes*
• 1st -$525 2nd-$260 3rd-$130
• Class C (1400-1599): 1st -$230 2nd-$115
(Novice 900-1399)
*Players rated 800-899 may pay an extra $25 at registration (non-refundable) to compete in this section, but are only eligible for place prizes*
• 1st -$320 2nd-$160 3rd-$80
• U1200: 1st -$120 2nd-$60
(Club U900)
• 1st -$240 2nd-$120 3rd-$60
**January 2024 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.
**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.
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, tables, 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 your own board and increment capable clock if possible!
Only water (drinks) allowed at the chess board. All food must remain outside the playing room. The hotel has provided info on food that will be available onsite. Check your round times and bring food and drink as necessary.
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.