Author: Lori Balkum

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Austin Chess Tour 2: Junior Qualifier #2

The Austin Grandmaster Chess Academy is hosting a Junior (Scholastic) USCF Rated Tournament on February 1, 2025 from 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM.  USCF Membership required.   Capacity: 80 players!

LOCATION:
Austin Grandmaster Chess Academy
12466 Los Indios Trail, Ste 100
Austin, TX 78729
Free parking provided!

TOURNAMENT STYLE:
Time controls and number of sections determined by section
All players will be divided into 5 sections:
SECTION A:  1600 + USCF rated
SECTION B:  1200 – 1599 USCF rated
SECTION C:  800 – 1199  USCF rated
SECTION D:  400 – 700 USCF rated
SECTION D:  Under 400 USCF rated or unrated
**Players are not allowed to play up or down**
*USCF MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED*

RATING INFORMATION:
● February 2025 official USCF ratings will be used.
● Unofficial USCF ratings will be used if unrated or to play in a
higher section.
● Players must reveal foreign, FIDE, and other over-the-board
ratings. These ratings will be adjusted, if necessary, and may be
used if they are higher than USCF ratings.

Section A (all rounds G/60, d5)
●  1st round: 10:00 AM
●  2nd round: 12:15 AM
●  Lunch break: 2:30 – 3:30 PM
●  3rd round: 3:30 PM
●  4th round: 5:45 PM

Sections B & C (all rounds G/45, d5)
●  1st round: 10:00 AM
●  2nd round: 11:45 AM
●  Lunch break: 1:30 – 2:30 PM
●  3rd round: 2:30 PM
●  4th round: 4:15 PM

Sections D & E (all rounds G/30, d5)
●  1st round: 10:00 AM
●  2nd round: 11:15 AM
●  3rd round: 12:30 PM
●  Lunch break: 1:30 – 2:30 PM
●  4th round: 2:30 PM
●  5th round: 3:45 PM

●  Closing ceremony for any section takes place after the last game finishes for that section.
NOTE: Half-point byes are acceptable for all rounds, limit 1. Must commit before the 1st round.

PLAYERS MAY NOT POSSESS CELL PHONES DURING THE TOURNAMENT. Any violators may be subject to disqualification and forfeiture.

ENTRY FEES:
●  Early Bird: $40  by January 26th at 11:59 pm.
●  $50 on or after January 27th (if space is available)
For additional questions, please contact us at info@austin-chess.com
Link for registration:  https://austin-chess.com/tournaments/act-2-junior-qualifier-2/

PRIZES:
●  1st place (in each section) : Trophy
●  2nd & 3rd place (in each section): medal

JUNIOR QUALIFIER POINTS:
1st Place: 25 JQ Points
2nd Place: 18 JQ Points
3rd Place: 15 JQ Points
4th Place: 12 JQ Points
5th Place: 10 JQ Points
6th Place: 8 JQ Points
7th Place: 6 JQ Points
8th Place: 4 JQ Points
9th Place: 2 JQ Points
10th Place: 1 JQ Points

For more information about the point system, visit https://austin-chess.com/tournaments/

CANCELLATION POLICY: If you do not wish to participate in our tournament after paying the entry fee, please email us at info@austin-chess.com no later than 24 hours in advance.  We reserve the right to charge a $15 service fee for cancellations.  NO refunds will be issued if we are notified of cancellation within 24 hours of the start of the event.

WITHDRAWAL POLICY: If you would like to withdraw from the tournament after it begins, please alert the tournament director. 
NO refunds will be issued after the tournament begins. 

NO-SHOW POLICY: There are NO refunds or credit for players who do not show up for their scheduled tournament matches.

Please contact us at info@austin-chess.com for any additional questions or concerns. 

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Austin Chess Tour 2: Junior Qualifier #1

The Austin Grandmaster Chess Academy is hosting a Junior (Scholastic) USCF Rated Tournament on January 11, 2025 from 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM.  USCF Membership required.   Capacity: 80 players!

LOCATION:
Austin Grandmaster Chess Academy
12466 Los Indios Trail, Ste 100
Austin, TX 78729
Free parking provided!

TOURNAMENT STYLE:
Time controls and number of sections determined by section
All players will be divided into 5 sections:
SECTION A:  1600 + USCF rated
SECTION B:  1200 – 1599 USCF rated
SECTION C:  800 – 1199  USCF rated
SECTION D:  400 – 700 USCF rated
SECTION D:  Under 400 USCF rated or unrated
**Players are not allowed to play up or down**
*USCF MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED*

RATING INFORMATION:
● January 2025 official USCF ratings will be used.
● Unofficial USCF ratings will be used if unrated or to play in a
higher section.
● Players must reveal foreign, FIDE, and other over-the-board
ratings. These ratings will be adjusted, if necessary, and may be
used if they are higher than USCF ratings.

Section A (all rounds G/60, d5)
●  1st round: 10:00 AM
●  2nd round: 12:15 AM
●  Lunch break: 2:30 – 3:30 PM
●  3rd round: 3:30 PM
●  4th round: 5:45 PM

Sections B & C (all rounds G/45, d5)
●  1st round: 10:00 AM
●  2nd round: 11:45 AM
●  Lunch break: 1:30 – 2:30 PM
●  3rd round: 2:30 PM
●  4th round: 4:15 PM

Sections D & E (all rounds G/30, d5)
●  1st round: 10:00 AM
●  2nd round: 11:15 AM
●  3rd round: 12:30 PM
●  Lunch break: 1:30 – 2:30 PM
●  4th round: 2:30 PM
●  5th round: 3:45 PM

●  Closing ceremony for any section takes place after the last game finishes for that section.
NOTE: Half-point byes are acceptable for all rounds, limit 1. Must commit before the 1st round.

PLAYERS MAY NOT POSSESS CELL PHONES DURING THE TOURNAMENT. Any violators may be subject to disqualification and forfeiture.

ENTRY FEES:
●  Early Bird: $40  by January 5th at 11:59 pm.
●  $50 on or after January 6th (if space is available)
For additional questions, please contact us at info@austin-chess.com
Link for registration:  https://austin-chess.com/tournaments/act-2-junior-qualifier-1/

PRIZES:
●  1st place (in each section) : Trophy
●  2nd & 3rd place (in each section): medal

JUNIOR QUALIFIER POINTS:
1st Place: 25 JQ Points
2nd Place: 18 JQ Points
3rd Place: 15 JQ Points
4th Place: 12 JQ Points
5th Place: 10 JQ Points
6th Place: 8 JQ Points
7th Place: 6 JQ Points
8th Place: 4 JQ Points
9th Place: 2 JQ Points
10th Place: 1 JQ Points

For more information about the point system, visit https://austin-chess.com/tournaments/

CANCELLATION POLICY: If you do not wish to participate in our tournament after paying the entry fee, please email us at info@austin-chess.com no later than 24 hours in advance.  We reserve the right to charge a $15 service fee for cancellations.  NO refunds will be issued if we are notified of cancellation within 24 hours of the start of the event.

WITHDRAWAL POLICY: If you would like to withdraw from the tournament after it begins, please alert the tournament director. 
NO refunds will be issued after the tournament begins. 

NO-SHOW POLICY: There are NO refunds or credit for players who do not show up for their scheduled tournament matches.

Please contact us at info@austin-chess.com for any additional questions or concerns. 

Posted on by

Leander Winter 2025 Scholastic Tournament

Scholastic chess tournament in multiple sections at the Leander Public Library on January 11, 2025. 
Tournament capped at 48 students! Tournament will likely fill up, so register ASAP! Once the tournament fills up, reach out to danielhung@utexas.edu if interested in getting on the waitlist.

Location

Leander Public Library
Library Annex
1101 S Bagdad Rd
Leander, TX 78641

Free parking onsite!

The tournament is held in the Library Annex (the building closer to the parking lot upon parking – to your  left)

Sections

Sections determined by number of entries. 
View prior tournament results for an idea of  section splits!

Schedule

No check in required. Be seated at 12:50PM for announcements.

Five rounds, with estimated start times of 1PM, 2PM, 3PM, 4PM, and 5PM.
Subsequent round as soon as the previous round finishes and the next is paired. Be ready to play!

 
Time Control: G25/d5
USCF regular/quick rated 

Awards

Trophy for first place, medals for positive score, ribbon for everyone else.

Registration Information

Click HERE for full tournament description and to register!

  • Super Early Bird $25 before noon December 25, 2024
  • Early Bird $30 before noon January 1, 2025
  • Regular Entry $35 before noon January 7, 2025
  • Late Entry $40 before noon January 11, 2025 if there are any spots available

Payment Methods

Payment via Venmo is preferred (Daniel-Hung-3), zelle (danielhung@utexas.edu or 956-639-5311) (legal name for both Daniel Flood). Pay before the above deadlines to lock in your price and registration. 

What to Bring and Know

  • Please bring a clock and chess set if you have one!
  • US Chess Membership is required. Please be responsible for your membership prior to the event to help the organizers and prevent delays.
  • Notation is required.  Notation sheets will be available if needed, but please bring a pencil or pen. Strongly encouraged to bring your own notation book/sheets. 

Additional Rules

No parents allowed in the playing room.

Parents and players that are done with their game should remain at the main library building. Only drinks allowed in the playing hall. Food must be consumed outside. 

Questions

Please contact me at danielhung@utexas.edu with any questions.

Online TLA!

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16th Annual Southwest Class Championships

Description: This is a USCF rated swiss chess tournament (event website) open to all chess players. There will be 7 to 9 rounds depending on section. Multiple schedules offered.

$35,000 prize fund unconditionally guaranteed!  

Advance Entry List

Location

Westin Dallas Fort Worth Airport
4545 W John Carpenter Freeway
Irving, TX 75063

Free parking
Free airport shuttle

Sections and Prizes

In 7 sections (see peakrating.us for rules regarding playing up): 

Master (USCF 2100/up or FIDE 2000/up): $4000-2000-1500-1200-1000-800-600, clear or tiebreak winner $200, top FIDE U2300/Unr $1800-900.

 Expert (1900-2199): $2000-1000-500-300-200. FIDE.

 Class A (1700-1999/Unr): $2000-1000-500-300-200. FIDE. 

Class B (1500-1799/Unr): $2000-1000-500-300-200. 

Class C (1300-1599/Unr): $1600-800-500-300-200.

 Class D (Under 1400/Unr): $800-400-300-200-100.

 Class E (Under 1200/Unr): $800-400-300-200-100. 

Time Control

5-day schedule, Feb 13-17 (Master Section only), FIDE rated, GM & IM norms possible, 40/80, SD/30; d30. 4-day schedule, Feb 14-17: Expert through Class E, 40/80, SD/30; d30. 

3-day schedule: Expert through Class E, Feb 15-17, rounds 1-2 G/60, d10, then merges with 4-day.  

Rating Used

These unusual class rating boundaries already include players rated in the top half of the traditional USCF Class one section below. Unrated may enter A through E, with maximum prize E $100, D $200, C $300, B $400, A $500.

Mixed Doubles: best male+female 2-player team combined score in Rounds 1-7 among all sections: $1000-600-400. Team must average under 2200; may play different sections and schedules; register (no extra fee) before both begin round 2; limit one Mixed Doubled team per player, prize limits do not apply to Mixed Doubles prizes.

Master Section: FIDE ratings used. 

Expert Section and below: USCF Official February ratings used; unofficial uschess.org ratings and USCF Online Regular ratings are usually used in Expert and below if otherwise unrated and cannot play in those sections with rating below USCF Online Regular rating minus 100 points.

 Foreign player ratings (Expert & below): See foreignratings.com. 

Entry Fee

Enter online: chessaction.com.  No mail entries. 

Master Section EF: $278 at chessaction.com by 2/12, $300 later online or at site by 6 pm 2/13. GMs & foreign IMs/WGMs free (must confirm participation by 1 pm 2/13), US IMs/WGMs & foreign players rated 1800+ FIDE $100 less (players with federation ”FID” might not be counted by FIDE as foreign players).

Minimum prizes in Master Section: foreign GMs $800, foreign IMs/WGMs $400 if entering online by 2/1 and playing all 9 games with no byes.

Expert, A, B, C sections EF: $168 online at chessaction.com by 2/12, $190 later or at site until 1 hour before round 1.

Class D or E Section EF: All $70 less than Expert to Class C EF. 

Re-entry (no Master to Master) $80. 

 Special 1 year USCF dues with magazine if paid online with entry: Adult $43, Young Adult $26, Youth $19. 

Schedule

5-day schedule: Late reg. ends Thu 6 pm, rounds Thu 7, Fri 1 & 7, Sat 11 & 5, Sun 10 & 4, Mon 10 & 3:30. 

4-day schedule: Late reg. ends Fri 6 pm, rounds Fri 7 pm, Sat 11 & 5, Sun 10 & 4, Mon 10 & 3:30. 

3-day schedule: Late reg. ends Sat 10 am, rounds Sat 11, 2 & 5, Sun 10 & 4, Mon 10 & 3:30. 

Byes: OK all, limit 2; must commit before round 3. 

Misc

Bring set, board, clock if possible, none supplied.

Electronic devices rules: See devicerules.com.

Leave phone in hotel room, car, home, or a bag near your table. 

HR: $127-127, use link at chessevents.us (or call 972-929-4500, mention Chess rate); reserve by 1/28 or rate may increase.

Prizes not claimed at site usually paid by PayPal (may take over a week). 

Car rental: Avis, 800-331-1600, use AWD #D657633. 

Refunds, $15 service charge.

Questions

Questions: chesstour.com, chesstour.info, director@chess.us. 

View our online TLA!

Blitz tournament Sun. 9:30 pm, enter at site Sun. by 9:10 pm.

Posted on by

Advance Entry List for the Paragon Prep January 2025 Tournament

All registrations appear automatically. Please allow a few days for USCF information to be verified, at which point the rating will be entered. (You may see ratings within sections that seem illogical. Please understand that only after the January 2025 rating supplement is finalized and published will players receive their final section adjustments. Rating changes made late December will not affect pairings or section placement.)

It is better to register early and change your section later, than to wait to register!

If your name has a , your registration is complete.
If your name has a , the registrar has a question about your registration. Please contact the registrar if you have not already been contacted.
If there is no symbol in front of your name, your USCF verification is in process.

Jump to: K-3 U400, K-5 U600,  K-5 U1000, 6-12 U600, 6-12 U1000, K-12 Elite, Open Section.

Return to the Paragon Prep January 2025 Scholastic homepage or the January 2025 Paragon Prep Open/K-12 Elite homepage.

K-3 U400

NameUSCF IDRatingTeamByes
Balamurugan, Yugan 32014043328Basis Pflugerville
Vivek, Sahaan 30585433123Tarvin
Section count: 2

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K-5 U600

NameUSCF IDRatingTeamByes
Jayakumar, Dhrutika 31761470179Basis Pflugerville
Gorantla, Adhvika 32021466666Great Hearts FH
Khare, Eshan 322055720 – UNRChallenger AR
Jain, Rishika 31831009438Challenger AR
Section count: 4

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K-5 U1000

NameUSCF IDRatingTeamByes
Shanmuganathan, Zayn 31968176712Austin International
Goyal, Vayun 17166534825Cactus Ranch
Peterson, Rowan 321127580 – UNRAHB
Uzdyaev, Gleb 30883658811Cox
Uppuluri, Venkata Naga Sai Akshith Kumar 30575167658Parkside
Xiao, Daniel 30914009789Bear Creek
Satheeshkumar, Srihan 30921048602Meridian
Nerusu, Rachana 30929120434Basis Pflugerville
Sarkar, Aayush 30847029575Bagdad
Sarkar, Aarushi 31124218642Bagdad
Section count: 10

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6-12 U600

NameUSCF IDRatingTeamByes
Martinez, Hector 31988518320Meridian
Srivathsan, Madhushri 32068424102Bee Cave MS
Srivathsan, Rangashri 32068413160Bee Cave MS
Khare, Ayan 310282400 – UNRChallenger AR
Actor, Luke 31946607547Bee Cave MS
Section count: 5

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6-12 U1000

NameUSCF IDRatingTeamByes
Section count: 0

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K-12 Elite

NameUSCF IDRatingTeamByes
Jeedigunta, Shreyan 31469701990Patsy Sommer
Joseph, Asher 305610221196Basis Pflugerville
Avinashkarthi, Tharun 306751221163Harmony Endeavor
Rajeshkanna, Advaithkrishna 31630743935Basis Austin
Section count: 4

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Open Section

NameUSCF IDRatingFamily/Child TeamByes
Taj, Ishrath Amina 157023361722Shanmuganathan
Section count: 1

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Total U1000 Scholastic tournament registrants: 21

Total Advanced Scholastic and Open Section registrants: 5

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Open and K-12 Elite Sections at the Paragon Prep 2025 January Scholastic Tournament

The Open and K-12 Sections held in conjunction with the Rocks & Rooks scholastic chess tournament on January 25, 2025. USCF rated chess tournament for adults and more advanced scholastic players. Open plays 4SS at G/45,+5 and K-12 Elite plays 5SS at G/40,+5.

Online Registration is now open!

Verify your entry on the advance entry list.

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. If registrations exceed 32, we reserve the right to split into two sections.

Location

Paragon Prep
7944 Great Northern Boulevard
Austin, TX 78757

Eligibility

Open Section:
All adults
Any youth who have reached at least 1300 by the January 2025 USCF supplement.
K-12 Elite:
Any youth rated between 950 and 1399 on the January 2025 USCF Supplement

Ineligible entries will be moved to the appropriate ‘under’ scholastic section of the Paragon Prep 2025 January Scholastic. 

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 January 31, 2025.  USCF memberships can be renewed/purchased at check-out.

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!
8:45 a.m. K-12 Elite begins
9:15 a.m. Open  sections begin. Open has 4 rounds of G/45,+5; K-12 Elite has 5 rounds of G/40, +5.

No changes for round 1 (bye or section) allowed after online registration closes. Requests for byes, withdrawals, player info edits be made onsite with your chief TD and go into effect as of round 2.

Approximate Round Times

Open and K-12 Elite Sections*:
Open (4 rounds):
rd 1 – 9:15am, rd 2 – 11:10am, rd 3 – 1:25pm, rd 4 – 3:30pm
K-12 Elite (5 rounds):
rd 1 – 8:45am, rd 2 – 10:35am, rd 3 – 12:25pm, rd 4 – 2:15pm, rd 5 – 4:00pm

(Sections will play in separate rooms.)

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.

Zaika’s Indian Kitchen will be offering a luncheon menu (11:00am – 2:30pm) for purchase at the event and the NYOS chess club will offer snacks and drinks for puchase.  Only water bottles allowed at the chess board.

Proper handwashing and adherence to COVID 19 exposure guidelines mandatory!

Awards

Open section:
Cash prizes based on number of entries. Special trophies will be awarded to the highest scoring Family & Child teams  (Uncles, Aunts, Siblings, Parents, or Grandparents paired with at least one scholastic aged player.). 
K-12 Elite:
Trophies to top finishers. Medals to positive scores not receiving a trophy. Trophies top teams.  

Registration Information

Entry fee pricing is staggered and based on date of entry/payment.  Online Registration is now open!

*youth – $40/adult – $30 thru Wednesday, 12/25/2024.
*youth – $45/adult – $35 thru Wednesday, 01/15/2025
*youth – $50/adult – $40 thru Thursday, 1/23/2025 5pm
*$60 Late entry (after regular online entry closes), IF space is available. Link will be available from the time regular online entry closes thru 9:30am Saturday 1/25/2025.  All scholastic late entries receive a 1/2pt bye in round 1, and begin play in round 2. Open section first round play requires registration and payment before 8:45am Saturday.

Withdrawals requested via email before midnight on Wednesday 01/22/2025 are eligible for a refund (minus a $10 service fee). No exceptions. No refunds for USCF memberships after purchased from the USCF. NO email/phone entries.

Please request byes when you register if possible. First bye receives 1/2-point. Further byes receive 0-points. Email the registrar to make changes to your requested byes. Deadline to add or remove a 1st round requested bye is 9am Friday 01/24/2025. All 1/2-point byes must be requested/removed before the end of round 2.

Email Lori Balkum, registrar (registrar@AustinChessTournaments.com) with other questions. No phone calls, please. Emails will be returned promptly.

Organized by Rocks & Rooks. Gary Gaiffe, tournament organizer (ggaiffe@att.net).

View the ONLINE TLA!

Posted on by

Paragon Prep January 2025 Scholastic Tournament

Another Rocks & Rooks scholastic chess tournament in multiple sections on January 25, 2025.  All sections are G/25, +5.  Trophies and medals awarded top individuals AND teams! A tournament for adults and youth rated 1000+ offered as well! 

Registration is open!

Verify your entry on the advance entry list.

Basics

USCF rated chess tournament on January 25th in multiple RATED scholastic sections: K-3 U400, K-5 U600, K-5 U1000, 6-12 U600, and 6-12 U1000. Please note: all scholastic players rated 1000 and over must play in the Open or K-12 Elite sections. View the Advance Entry List online. Please note, at the event pairings will be posted only online.

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 if available, and notation. K-3 U400 section is excused from taking notation. Please review the Parent/Coach Responsibilities before registering.

Location

Paragon Prep
7944 Great Northern Boulevard
Austin, TX 78757

Chess play will take place in classrooms in the Elementary Building on Great Northern. Review a map of campus.

Eligibility

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 January 31, 2025. USCF memberships can be renewed/purchased at check-out. (New players in 3rd grade and below may request a non-member ID as a part of USCF’s Junior Tournament Player program during registration. JTPs ok in K-3 U400 only.)

“Under” sections are only for students meeting the rating criteria. All players who are new to tournaments are eligible for their age appropriate ‘under’ section. (Look up your player’s rating here. Please email the registrar or ask your chess coach for placement information.
If your 6th grader attends an Elementary School, please contact the registrar for options. With enough registrations, any section may be divided into two sections so we can offer more prizes. Sections with fewer than 20 entries may be merged into a similar section to provide optimal pairings and competition.

Please note: January 2025 ‘Regular’ OTB ratings will be used for pairing 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. FYI: Any event that is rated after December 18th will not affect your January supplement rating, as those events takes place after January ratings are calculated.

All players in this event must be in 12th grade (or lower).

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!
8:00 a.m. Chess Control opens for onsite registration.  Onsite registrations before 9:30am accepted (space permitting), but will begin play in round 2.
8:30 a.m Announcements begin in all scholastic playing rooms.
Players and coaches should be present.
8:45 a.m. K-12 Elite (different event for advanced youth. 5SS, all rounds are are G/40, +5.) begins.
9:00 a.m. Rd 1 for all Scholastic ‘under’ sections begins. Scholastic sections have 5 rds, G/25, +5.
9:15 a.m. Open section (different event allowing adults) begins. Open has 4 rounds, all rounds are are G/45, +5.
9:15 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Chess control open for event issues. No changes for round 1 (bye or section) allowed after online registration closes. Requests for byes, withdrawals, and player or school information edits go in effect immediately if made via email before the close of online registration. Changes requested onsite go into effect as of round 2.

Approximate Round Times

Scholastic Sections:
round 1 – 9:00am, rd 2 – 11:00am, rd 3 – 12:45 pm, rd 4 – 2:30 pm, rd 5 – 4:00 pm

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. Parents and/or coaches, please provide age-appropriate activities during the time between rounds. The organizers cannot baby-sit. No child should be left unattended!

Concessions details coming soon. Only water bottles allowed at the chess board.

Proper handwashing and adherence to COVID 19 exposure guidelines mandatory!

Awards

Trophies & Medals to Top Contenders! Ribbons to all participants!

Trophies to the top individuals in each scholastic section. Trophies to the top teams in all sections. Number of individual and team trophies will depend on number of entries. Chess medals will go to all players (excluding Open section) that finish the tournament with a positive score (3.0 & 3.5 points). Trophies to players scoring 4.0 and above. No teams in Open section, but special trophies will be awarded to the highest scoring Family & Child teams (Uncles, Aunts, Siblings, Parents, Grandparents, or coach paired with at least one scholastic aged player.)

Registration Information

Entry fee pricing is staggered and based on date of entry/payment. Regular online registration closes at 5pm on 1/23/2025.

*$40 thru Wednesday, 12/25/2024
*$45 thru Wednesday, 01/15/2025
*$50 thru  Thursday 01/23/25 5pm, at which time online entry closes.
*$60 Late entry, if space is available. Link will be available from the time regular online entry closes thru 9:30am Saturday 1/25/2025.  All late entries receive a 1/2pt bye in round 1, and begins play in round 2.

Withdrawals requested via email before midnight on Wednesday, 1/22/2025 are eligible for a refund (minus a $10 service fee). No exceptions. No refunds for USCF memberships after purchased from the USCF. NO email/phone entries.

Please request byes when you register if possible. First bye receives 1/2-point. Further byes receive 0-points. Email the registrar to make changes to your requested byes. Deadline to add or remove a 1st round requested bye is 9am Friday 1/24/2025. All 1/2-point byes must be requested/removed before the end of round 2.

Questions

If you do not find the answer to your question after reading the tournament description and FAQ list, please email Lori Balkum, registrar (registrar@AustinChessTournaments.com). No phone calls, please. Emails will be returned promptly.

Organized by Rocks & Rooks. Gary Gaiffe, tournament organizer (ggaiffe@att.net).

View the ONLINE TLA!

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ACC Blitz Quads Chess Night

Four player round robins!
Game in 5 minutes, 2 second delay.
EF: FREE
Enter live at the event!

Austin Chess Club is a wonderful atmosphere for the mature, experienced chess player.  Scholastic players are welcome, but expected to play serious chess. Each round could go down to the wire!

All registration happens onsite 3:00-3:45pm on December 21st. No pre-registration for round 1 is necessary. Show up and pay no later than 3:45pm! First round begins at 4pm. Please be on time!

Location:
The Upbring School of Arts and Sciences
3407 Red River St
Austin TX 78705

Finding the club Click for picture of area.
FIND THE ENTRANCE: Enter the front parking lot of the school via Luther Lane (green line on photo). Find the elevator outside the building (marked on photo by green dot);
go up the stairs to enter via the door, follow the hallway until you find lit classrooms.
PARKING: Additional parking may be found at:

  • St. Paul Lutheran Church parking lot (marked by a blue blotch)
  • Sabina Apartments (underground?) parking, open to the public

For more information about the Austin Chess Club, click here.
Please read the website before contacting us. Contact information is available at http://austinchessclub.com/. (Please read the website before emailing with questions.)

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ACC USCF Dual-rated G/30 Round Robins

Help Larry get his National Tournament Director certification by participating!
Six player sections.
Game in 30 minutes, 5 sec. delay per move. EF: FREE

Higher rated players – we need you!

USCF membership must not expire before December 31, 2024. Please renew with the USCF (https://new.uschess.org/) before coming to the event.

Austin Chess Club is a wonderful atmosphere for the mature, experienced chess player.  Scholastic players are welcome, but expected to play quiet, serious chess. Each round could go down to the wire!

To enter, please send email to austinchessclub@gmail.com with the subject line
ACC USCF Dual-rated G/30 Round Robin Entry.

Please show up at the club by 3:30 or you may lose your place! First round begins at 4pm.

Location:
The Upbring School of Arts and Sciences
3407 Red River St
Austin TX 78705

Finding the club Click for picture of area.
FIND THE ENTRANCE: Enter the front parking lot of the school via Luther Lane (green line on photo). Find the elevator outside the building (marked on photo by green dot);
go up the stairs to enter via the door, follow the hallway until you find lit classrooms.
PARKING: Additional parking may be found at:

  • St. Paul Lutheran Church parking lot (marked by a blue blotch)
  • Sabina Apartments (underground?) parking, open to the public

For more information about the Austin Chess Club, click here.
Please read the website before contacting us. Contact information is available at http://austinchessclub.com/. (Please read the website before emailing with questions.)

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ACC USCF Dual-Rated G/45 Swiss

This slow swiss takes place over 2 weeks, with 2 games on December 7th and 2 games on December 14th. G/45 with 5 second delay.  4 round Swiss. Sections dependent on turnout. EF: $20.00 all. Online registration/payment  requested (coming soon).

USCF membership must not expire before December 31, 2024. Please renew with the USCF (https://new.uschess.org/) before coming to the event.

Austin Chess Club is a wonderful atmosphere for the mature, experienced chess player.  Scholastic players are welcome, but expected to play quiet, serious chess. Each round could go down to the wire!

Last chance registration happens onsite 3:00-3:45pm on December 7th. No pre-registration for round 1 is necessary. Email pre-registration is accepted; however, online payment  is preferred)! If you email to register, you must show up and pay no later than 3:45pm! First round begins at 4pm. Please be on time! Participants who wish to enter the tournament late may email Austin Chess Club. Late entry must be made (emailed) before 10am on Saturday, December 14th to secure a round 3 pairing.

Location:
The Upbring School of Arts and Sciences
3407 Red River St
Austin TX 78705

Finding the club Click for picture of area.
FIND THE ENTRANCE: Enter the front parking lot of the school via Luther Lane (green line on photo). Find the elevator outside the building (marked on photo by green dot);
go up the stairs to enter via the door, follow the hallway until you find lit classrooms.
PARKING: Additional parking may be found at:

  • St. Paul Lutheran Church parking lot (marked by a blue blotch)
  • Sabina Apartments (underground?) parking, open to the public

For more information about the Austin Chess Club, click here.
Please read the website before contacting us. Contact information is available at http://austinchessclub.com/. (Please read the website before emailing with questions.)