Author: Lori Balkum

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED

Tournament Day Links

Maps: Campus Map – – Grammar Building Floor Plan
Pairings, wall charts, and standings: all sections
Reminder Emails: Scholastic
**please note – K-5 U600 has moved to room 179**

USCF rated chess tournament in multiple RATED scholastic sections: K-3 U600, K-5 U600, K-5 Any, *6-12* U600, and *6-12* Any.  View the preregistration list here. Pairings will be posted only online. Please note: all scholastic players rated 1300 and over must play in the Open section.

NEW!!!

During the event, GM Vladimir Belous, the 2021 US Class Champion, will be hosting a short lecture, free to all. Following the award ceremony, GM Vladimir Belous, the 2021 US Class Champion, will be hosting a short lecture and a simultaneous exhibition.  The simul is open to any parent/relative/coach that is playing in the event, or has a child playing in the event, or ANY child for a cost of $10.  A commemorative notation sheet will be given to all participants and signed by GM Belous at the finish of their game.  

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 if available, and notation. K-3 and younger sections are excused from taking notation. Please review the Parent/Coach Responsibilities before registering!

Location

Regents School of Austin
3230 Travis Country Circle
Austin, Texas 78735

Parents may wait in the Events Center. Chess play will take place in classrooms.
Review a map of campus.

Eligibility

“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, or small similar sections may be combined.

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 October 31, 2021. USCF memberships can be renewed/purchased at check-out. (JTPs ok in K-3 and younger sections only. 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)

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!
8:30 a.m Announcements begin in all scholastic playing rooms.
Players and coaches should be present.
9:00 a.m. Rd 1 begins. Scholastic sections have 5 rds, G/30, d5.
9:00 a.m. Open section begins. Open has 4 rounds, all rounds are are G/45, d5.
9:15 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Problem desk open. 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. NO Onsite registrations.

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 will be provided by Regents School. Coolers welcome. Only water bottles allowed at the chess board.

COVID-19 protocols in place – masks required for players, parents, and staff. Extra precautions will be taken to thoroughly sanitize playing pieces and furniture, to allow extra space between chess boards, and to provide hand sanitizing stations. 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 past 14 days, please do not attend. All pairings and wall charts will be posted online only to avoid crowding.

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 Parent & Child teams.

Registration Information

Entry fee pricing is staggered and based on date of entry/payment.

*Regular entry $30 thru Saturday, 09/18/2021
*Late entry $40 begins Sunday, 09/19/2021 and ENDS at NOON on Thursday 9/30/2021, at which time online entry closes.
*No onsite entries allowed. No entries accepted after online registration closes.

Withdrawals requested via email before noon on Thursday 9/30/2021 are eligible for a refund (minus a $5 service fee). 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 October 1st. All 1/2-point byes must be requested/removed before the start of round 2.

Email Lori Balkum, registrar with other questions. No phone calls, please. Emails will be returned promptly.

Organized by Rocks & Rooks. Gary Gaiffe, tournament organizer.

View the preregistration list here.

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED

Tournament Day Links

Maps: Campus Map
Pairings, wall charts, and standings: all sections
Reminder Emails: Open
**All open section games will take place in the Rhetoric Building**

USCF rated chess tournament for adults and more advanced scholastic players (rated 1200 and above). View the preregistration list here. (Less experienced players should register for the scholastic event!)

NEW!!!

Following the award ceremony, GM Vladimir Belous, the 2021 US Class Champion, will be hosting a short lecture and a simultaneous exhibition.  The simul is open to any parent/relative/coach that is playing in the event, or has a child playing in the event, or ANY child for a cost of $10.  A commemorative notation sheet will be given to all participants and signed by GM Belous at the finish of their game.  

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 section chess play will take place in a classroom..

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 2021 Fall 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 October 31, 2021.  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!
9:00 a.m. Open section 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. NO Onsite registrations.

Approximate Round Times

Open Section:
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 in place – masks required for players, parents, and staff. Extra precautions will be taken to thoroughly sanitize playing pieces and furniture, to allow extra space between chess boards, and to provide hand sanitizing stations. 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 past 14 days, please do not attend. All pairings and wall charts will be posted online only to avoid crowding.

Awards

Cash prizes, based on number of entries. Special trophies will be awarded to the highest scoring Parent & Child teams.

Registration Information

*Regular entry (youth $30, adult $25) thru Saturday, 09/18/2021
*Late entry (youth $40, adult $35) begins Sunday, 09/19/2021 and ENDS at NOON on Thursday 09/30/2021, at which time online entry closes.
*If space permits, onsite registration will be permitted, $40 regardless of age. Cash preferred. First round play requires registration before 8:45am.

Withdrawals requested before Sunday 09/30/2021 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.

View the preregistration list here.

Description: Visit the event website. Organized by the Dallas Chess Club, this is a USCF rated swiss chess tournament open to all scholastic chess players attending Texas schools (including homeschoolers). There will be 6 rounds in total. The tournament will be a three-day event on October 29th – 31st. 1/2 point bye available for any round if notified before Round 2 is paired. Tournament COVID protocols: Mask required in all Ballroom/Skittles/Vendor areas

Round times:

Onsite Registration Friday, 10/29 6:15-7:15pm if not completed online.
• Rounds 1 is on Friday evening at 7:30pm.
• Rounds 2 , 3, and 4 are on Saturday at 10am, 1pm, and 4pm respectively.
• Rounds 5 and 6 are on Sunday at 10am and 1pm.

Time controls:
• Grades 6-12: All rounds are G/60, d5.
• Grades K-5: Round 1 is G/45, d5. Rounds 2-6 are G/60, d5.

Entry fee: $39 if postmarked before 10/4/21, $52 if postmarked before 10/18, and $66 thereafter or onsite.  Do not mail after 10/24 as your entry may not be received in time.

Sections and Prizes:
Trophies or plaques to the top 8 individuals and top 5 teams. Top 3 players added for team scores. No more than 2 teams per school in each grade.

Online TLA: https://new.uschess.org/24th-northcentral-texas-grade-championships

Location:

Hilton Houston North
12400 Greenspoint Dr
Houston, TX 77060

Questions:

Contact info@dallaschess.com if you have questions about this event. (Please read the event description before emailing!)

This event is going to be replaced with single night events. Watch the website for details!

This slow swiss takes place over 4 weeks, with games on August 22nd, August 29th, September 5th, and September 12th. G/90 with 30 sec. increment per move. 4 round Swiss. Sections dependent on turnout. EF: $20.00 all. Online registration and payment requested.

Austin Chess Club is hosting another serious swiss tournament. USCF membership must not expire before September 30, 2021.

Austin Chess Club is a wonderful atmosphere for the mature, experienced chess player. The event has the potential to run late. Scholastic players are welcome, but expected to play quiet, serious chess. One round may last upwards of 4 hours.

Last chance registration happens onsite 6:00pm – 6:25pm on May 2nd. 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 6:25pm! First round begins at 6:30pm. 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 Sunday, August 29th to secure a round 2 pairing.

For more information about the Austin Chess Club, click here.

Location:

Bridge Center of Austin
6700 Middle Fiskville Road
next to Taj Palace
Austin TX 78752

A one-day tournament on August 15th offering G/24 with 5 sec. delay per move. 3 Round Swiss. Sections dependent on turnout. EF: $10.00 all. USCF membership required. Online entry available and requested.

Austin Chess Club is a wonderful atmosphere for the mature, experienced chess player. Scholastic players are welcome, but expected to play quiet, serious chess. We suggest that scholastic players have reached a rating of 400 before participating.

USCF membership may not expire before August 31, 2021.

We would like to start on-time. Please arrive early. Entries must be received and paid in full by 6:25pm. Online entry preferred.

Cost is $10/player. We would like the first round to begin at 6:30pm sharp. Please arrive early. If you have questions that the website has not answered, email Austin Chess Club.

Please bring a set and a board. Please bring a digital delay clock if at all possible.

For more information about the Austin Chess Club, click here.

Location:

Bridge Center of Austin
6700 Middle Fiskville Road
next to Taj Palace
Austin TX 78752

Event website: http://www.dallaschess.com/2021SWOpen/index.html

Overview: 7SS G/90 with 30 sec inc.  Tournament has 3 Sections. Sep 3 – 6 or Sept 4-6 2021

Hotel: Doubletree by Hilton DFW Airport North, 4441 W. John Carpenter Fwy., Irving, TX 75063. Hotel rates: $99. Reserve at 972-929-8181 or at 800-446-6677 mention group Name Dallas Chess Club or group code DCC by 8/2. Or see hotel booking link on tournament website. After 8/2 the rate may not be honored. Hotel has complimentary hotel shuttle to/from DFW airport.

Open Section: This section is FIDE rated and uses FIDE rules.  USCF rules/ratings used for awarding prizes. USCF ratings used for pairing purposes.  Please check tournament website for rules about FIDE registration. $$ 1,000-500-250, 2200-2399 $750, U2200 $750. There will be a special college prize(s) depending on entries.

Reserve Section: Open to U2000.  This section is FIDE rated and uses FIDE rules. Please check tournament website for rules about FIDE registration. $ 800-400-200. Class Prizes will be determined at tournament based on entries. Unrateds may play in this section.

Novice Section: Opened to U1400 and Unrated. This section is USCF rated only. $500. Class Prizes (if any) will be determined at tournament based on entries. Note that TD may start White’s clock at the start of each round.

Rules regarding Electronics and other matters: All 3 (Open, Reserve and Novice): Except for approved Electronic scorekeeping devices, no electronics are allowed in the playing area during the round. This includes rest rooms by the playing area. This rule applies to players, parents, coaches. Players not at the board within 60 minutes of the start of the round will forfeit game unless arbiter decides to grant extend the time. (Note that the clock will keep running.) Texas Chess Association membership required. Other states accepted. Note that the floor will be closed during the round. Other Covid -19 rules will be in effect such as masks must be worn. See www.dallaschess.com

Entry fees: EF: $99 if received by 8/27, else $113. EF for  Senior/ Handicap/ Additional family participant/ re-entry $65 by 8/27 else $79.  (Reentry not allowed in Open Section,) Add $5 for CC phone entries; Note that entry must be made online at www.dallaschess.com.  Note that entries may be limited due to any special distancing rules in effect during the dates of the tournament.

Rounds:  4 day:  Rounds. Fri.: 7:10 pm, Sat.: 2:10 pm & 7:20, Sun: 11:30 am & 5:20 pm, Mon.: 9:20 am & 2:20 pm. 3 day: Rd. 1 on Sat. 9/4 at 9 am then merge with 4 day. Foreign Unrated must play in Open section. Tournament may use CCA rules for foreign ratings and for minimum ratings. Up to two ½-pt byes available if requested before end of rd. 2, but byes for both rd. 6 AND 7 not permitted. Texas Chess Association meeting on Sunday 9/5 at 8:30 am.

ALL: Dallas Chess Club, C/O Barbara Swafford, 2709 Longhorn Trail, Crowley, TX 76036. Info: Barb Swafford, 214-632-9000, info@dallaschess.com    www.dallaschess.com  NS. NC. W. FIDE. JGP.

Chess Magnet School Junior Grand Prix!   Trophies Plus Grand Prix Points: 60 (Enhanced)

Chess For Trees is a nonprofit.

Overview
The tournament will consist of an Open section and a K-12 section. There will be cash prizes for the open section and trophy prizes for the K-12 section. The format of the tournament will be 5 Round Swiss – 15 minutes with 2 second increment. The tournament will be hosted on chess.com. You will need a chess.com account to play the tournament. Instructions on how to create an account can be found on: https://support.chess.com/article/671-how-do-i-create-an-account

The tournament is not USCF rated. Everyone is eligible to play!

Registration Fee: $15
Registration closes on July 22
Register online today!

Prizes
Prizes: $500 guaranteed in prizes plus 50% of the combined registration fee. (For example if 20 people register then $500 plus 50% of the total registration fees of (15×20 = 300) would make a total prize fund of $650.)

Open Section
1st Place: 50% of total prize fund (Based of 0 entries $250)
2nd Place: 30% of total prize fund (Based of 0 entries $150)
3rd Place: 20% of total prize fund (Based of 0 entries $100)

K-12 Section
Top 3 get trophies. Note: It may take time for trophies to be delivered. 

Fair Play
Tournament results will be finalized after 1-2 weeks in order to give chess.com time to do a fair play analysis. If chess.com determines you have cheated then you will not be eligible for any prizes and your chess.com account might be closed. Chess.com’s decision is final.

Technical Difficulties
Unfortunately due to the nature of virtual tournaments nothing can be done if you lose a match or face any other difficulties due to internet issues and other technical difficulties. Note: You will not be refunded for any loss due to technical difficulties.

More Instructions
Once you have registered and paid the registration fee of $15, please join the “Chess For Trees” club on chess.com. The club is private so you will have to leave a message stating your full name.

Note: Only people who have paid the registration fee will be admitted in the club.

On the day of the tournament sign into your chess.com account and go to https://www.chess.com/live and then on the tournaments tab you should see our tournament. Please join the tournament and wait for the rounds to start. The next round will start after all games are finished. The whole tournament will last for no more than 3-4 hours.

Please only join the tournament for your section, as if you fail to do this then you will end up playing the wrong section, and will not be counted for prizes.

If you’re playing the open section then join the July Rapid – Open Section tournament, and if you’re playing in the K-12 section join the July Rapid – K-12 tournament.

Please note:
The K-12 section will start at 11 AM CST on July 24.
The Open section will start at 4 PM CST on July 24.

Payment Information and Refund Policy
To pay for your tournament entry, please visit the event page. A payment link is located at the bottom. If the tournament is cancelled for any reason, all entries be refunded 100% . If you decide to withdraw your entry fee will be refunded as long as you contact the organizer by email no later than July 22.

Warm Up Tournament
There will be a warm up tournament on Friday, July 23 at 4 PM CST. There will be one section for all players. The tournament will be named Chess For Trees July Warm up. The warm up is optional.

If you have any questions please email us at chessfortrees@gmail.com

Please visit the EVENT WEBSITE!