Author: Lori Balkum

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Open Sections at the 2022 Spring Scholastic Tournament at Regents School

Maps: Campus Map – – Grammar Building Floor Plan
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.

View the preregistration list here.

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2022 Spring Scholastic at Regents School

Maps: Campus Map – – Grammar Building Floor Plan
Pairings, wall charts, and standings: all sections
Reminder Email: scholastic
**please note – because section counts are variable due to registrations and withdrawals, locations may change due to size constraints**

Registration is now closed. NO onsite registrations.  NO EXCEPTIONS! USCF rated chess tournament, April 2nd,  in multiple RATED scholastic sections: K-1 U300, K-3 U300, K-3 U600, K-5 U600, K-5 U1100, 6-12 U600, 6-12 U1100, and K-12 Any.  View the preregistration list here. Pairings will be posted only online. Please note: all scholastic players rated 1600 and over must play in one of the Open sections.

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 or outside. Chess play will take place in classrooms.
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 April 30, 2022. USCF memberships can be renewed/purchased at check-out. (JTPs ok in K-3 and K-1 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)

“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.

Please note: April ‘Regular’ OTB ratings will be used for pairing purposes. If no regular rating is available, then other April USCF ratings (quick, blitz, online) can and will be considered for section placement.

 

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 sections begin. 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 are set based on the Austin?Travis County Stage of COVID-19. Austin/Travis County is currently Stage 2.  As long as the county is Stage 3 or below, facemasks are optional. (Facemasks become mandatory if the county reaches stage 4 or higher.) Proper handwashing and adherence to exposure guidelines are always requested.

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.

*Early entry $25 thru Saturday 02/26/2022.
* Regular entry $30 thru Saturday, 03/20/2022
*Late entry $40 begins Sunday, 03/21/2022 and ENDS at NOON on Thursday 03/31/2022, 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 3/31/2022 are eligible for a refund (minus a $5 service fee). No refunds for USCF memberships after purchased from the USCF. NO email/phone entries.

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 4/1/2022. All 1/2-point byes must be requested/removed before the end 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.

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Nathan’s Chess Tournament Fundraiser

Description: This is a fundraising tournament held on Sunday, March 20th with ALL proceeds going to a variety of non-profits such as American Cancer Society. Nathan has a passion for chess and looks forward to giving back to this Important cause, as his grandmother suffered through breast cancer and he lost a close relative to Leukemia. There will be both a rated and unrated section along with food, concessions, raffles, chess lessons with a National Master, and lots of fun for all ages!

Location:
Congregation Agudas Achim
16550 Huebner Rd
San Antonio, TX 78248

Round times:
• 5 Rounds
• Rounds 1 starts at 12 PM

Time controls:
• Unrated G/15
• Rated G/30;d5

Sections:
Unrated
Rated (requires a current USCF membership)

Prizes:
Trophies for the top 3 in each section
And lots of exciting prizes for others, too!

Entry fee:
Register online today: https://completechesseducation.com/product/nathans-tournament-fundraiser/
Super Early Register (Last day Jan 31) – $5 Unrated, $15 Rated
Early Register (Last day Feb 28) – $10 Unrated, $20 Rated
Regular Register (Until March 19) – $20 Unrated, $30 Rated
On Site Registration (Only Unrated- No RATED Registration On Site)- $30 Unrated

*Any refunds will be deducted a $7 fee for processing and transaction fees* Sorry no refunds after March 10.

Questions:
Contact Jesse James Lozano of Complete Chess (completechess@gmail.com), [210] 393-3056  if you have questions about this event.

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Waco January Swiss

Location:
Holy Spirit Episcopal Church
1624 Wooded Acres Dr
Waco, TX 76710

2 sections: Open and Reserve (Under 1400)

Both sections: Four rounds, G/45, 5 second delay.

Limited Capacity of 48 players! – Please email or call/text one of the contacts below to pre-register and ensure you get a spot. If you show up onsite without pre-registering, there’s a chance the tournament will already be full.

Round times: Registration 8:00 to 8:50 AM. Round one 9:00 AM. Round two 10:30 AM. Round three 1:00 PM (after lunch). Round four 2:30 PM.

Entry fee: $15 – Cash only. Up to 90% returned in prizes.

A donation jar will be available for players who want to help the church out for providing us with a venue.

US Chess Membership is required. Please be responsible for your membership prior to the event to help the organizers and prevent delays.

For questions, please contact:

Jason Howell (korchboy@hotmail.com) 254-495-3445
Dan Shafer (daniel_m_shafer@baylor.edu) 254-652-8365
Matt Potts (shalitan@gmail.com) 512-739-8626
Forrest Marler (fzmarler@gmail.com) 254-231-7026

Or visit our site (wacochess.org)

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Southwest San Antonio Classic 2022

Description: This is a USCF rated swiss chess tournament open to all chess players in San Antonio and surrounding areas. There will be 5 rounds in total with 2 schedules offered. The two-day schedule will be on February 19th, and 20th while the three-day schedule will be the 18th, 19th, and 20th. 1/2 point bye available for any round if notified before Round 2 is paired. No last round byes. Register online today! View a list of pre-registered players!

LIMIT 50 PEOPLE FOR THIS EVENT.

Location:
Complete Chess
526391 De Zavala Rd
Ste 113
San Antonio, TX 78249

Round times (Two day schedule):
• Registration at 9:00-9:45 am if not done online.
• Rounds 1, 2, & 3 starts promptly on February 19th at 10:00am, 2:00pm, and 6:00pm.
• Rounds 4 & 5 starts promptly on February 20th at 10:00am and 2:00pm.

Time controls (Two day schedule):
• Rounds 1 & 2: G/75;d5
• Rounds 3, 4, & 5: G/90+30 sec.

Round times (Three day schedule): ($30 re-entry Available)
• Registration at 5:00-5:45 am if not done online.
• Rounds 1 starts promptly on February 18th at 6:00pm.
• Rounds 2, & 3 starts promptly on February 19th at 2:00pm, and 6:00pm.
• Rounds 4 & 5 starts promptly on February 20th at 10:00am and 2:00pm.

Time controls (Three day schedule):
• Rounds 1: G/90+30 sec
• Rounds 2: G/75;d5
• Rounds 3, 4, & 5: G/90+30 sec.

Entry fee: $40 if received before January 31st, $50 if received before February 14th, and $60 until the day of the event.  $70 for on-site registration and may have to take 1st round bye.

Sections and Prizes:
*50% guaranteed in prizes based on 30 entries. 50% guaranteed payout.
One prize per person

Two section with class prizes.
(Championship) *U1600 players must pay an extra $50 to compete in this section*
• $200-100

(Reserve)
• Top Class C(1400-1599): $100
• Top Class D(1200-1399): $100
• Top Class E/Unrated (1000-1199): $100

*Any refunds will be deducted a $7 fee for processing and transaction fees*

Contact Complete Chess (completechess@gmail.com) if you have questions about this event.

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January 22 Scholastic Saturday Tournament

Description: This is a USCF rated chess tournament open to all students (K-12) in San Antonio and nearby areas. We will play on Saturday at 10a.m. until finish (usually around 3p.m). Register online today! View a list of pre-registered players!

LIMIT 50 PEOPLE FOR THIS EVENT.

Location:
Complete Chess
526391 De Zavala Rd
Ste 113
San Antonio, TX 78249

Round times:
• 5 Rounds
• Rounds 1 starts at 10 AM

Time controls:
• All Rounds G/30;d5

Entry fee: $20 in advance $30 in person

Sections and Prizes:

(K-5 u500)
(K-8 u800)
(K-12 Open)

  • Trophies for the top 3 in each section
  • Team trophy for the top 2 each section (max 4 students per team that is counted) As many students can play but only top 4 count

**Any cancellations that require a refund will be garnished with a $7 processing and transaction fee. 

Contact Complete Chess (completechess@gmail.com) if you have questions about this event.

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January 15th Beginner Scholastic Saturday Tournament 2022

Description: This is a beginner (unrated) chess tournament open to all students(K-12) in San Antonio and nearby areas. We will play on Saturday at 10a.m. until finish (usually around 1p.m). Registration online only, no registration on site. Registration ends at 8:00pm on Friday. Register online today!

LIMIT 50 PEOPLE FOR THIS EVENT.

Location:
Complete Chess
526391 De Zavala Rd
Ste 113
San Antonio, TX 78249

Round times:
• 5 Rounds
• Rounds 1 starts at 10 AM

Time controls:
• All Rounds G/15

Entry fee: $10

Sections and Prizes:SECTIONS MIGHT BE COMBINED IF LOW ENTRY

  • K-1 grade
  • 2nd-5th grade
  • 6th-8th grade
  • 9th-12th grade

Top 3 of each section wins a prize

If you win your section 3 times you move to the higher grades!**Any cancellations that require a refund will be garnished with a $7 processing and transaction fee. 

Contact Complete Chess (completechess@gmail.com) if you have questions about this event.

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2022 Region VI Scholastic Championships

Description: This is a USCF rated swiss chess tournament open to all Region VI players. There will be 5 rounds in total. The tournament will be a one day event on Feb 12th. 1/2 point bye available for any round if notified before Round 2 is paired. No round 5 byes. Register online today! View a list of pre-registered players!

Location:
Chicken N Pickle
5215 UTSA Boulevard
San Antonio, TX 78249

Sections:
1. High School (9-12) Championship
2. High School (9-12) U1000
3. Middle School (6-8) Championship
4. Middle School (6-8) U1000
5. Middle School (6-8) U600
6. Elementary (K-5) Championship
7. Elementary (K-5) U800
8. Elementary (K-5) U400
9. Primary (K-3) Championship
10. Primary (K-3) U800
11. Primary (K-3) U600
12. Primary (K-3) U400
13. Sprout (K-1) U600
14. Adult

Round time Champion Section/Adult:
• In person registration at 8:00-8:45 am if not done online. $60
• Rounds start promptly on Feb 12 at 9:00am, 10:15am, 11:30am 1:15pm and 3:00pm.

Round time U1000,U800,U600,U400:
• In person registration at 8:00-8:45 am if not done online. $60
• Rounds start promptly on Feb 12 at 10:00am, 11:15am, 12:20pm, 1:00pm and 2:10pm.

Speed games will determine the winner if multiple perfect scores occur.

If turnout for any one section is small (under 17 players), we may (or may not) merge it with another section having the same time controls and neighboring ratings or grades.

Awards:
Individual or team winners of each championship section are declared the Texas Region VI champion for their respective grade group. Individual team trophies are awarded in each advertised scholastic section, even if merged, while individual cash prizes (50% payout based on 40 entries) are awarded in the Adult section. Medals are awarded to all non-trophy players with positive scores in non-adult sections. Team trophies are awarded separately in each section. School teams count the top four players (minimum two) in their respective sections. Exact number and division of trophies will depend on advance entries for individuals and teams.

Time controls: Championship and Adult
• Rounds 1, 2, & 3: G/30;d5
• Rounds 3, 4, & 5: G/45;d5.

Time controls: U1000,U800,U600,U400:
• All Rounds: G/30;d5

Entry fee: $30 if received before Feb 1st, $40 if received before Feb 6th, and $50 until the day of the event.  $60 for on-site registration and may have to take 1st round bye.

Registration:
Register online today!

Adult section:
*50% guaranteed in prizes based on 20 entries. 50% guaranteed payout.
One prize per person

One section with class prizes.
(Open)
• $150-100

• Top Class B(1600-1799): $50
• Top Class C(1400-1599): $50
• Top Class D(1200-1399): $50

• Top Class E and Under (U1200): $50

Questions:
Please contact Jesse Lozano, CompleteChess@gmail.com with any additional questions.

**Any cancellations that require a refund will be garnished with a $7 processing and transaction fee. 
**TCA not responsible for any accidents or injuries at this event

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2022 National Middle School (K-8) Championships

Format:  7SS, G/120 d5.

7 Sections:  K-8 Championship, K-8 U1700, K-8 U1400, K-8 U1100, K-8 U900, K-8 U700, and K-8 Unrated.  “Playing up” is allowed.  Unrated players may play either Championship or Unrated sections only.  April rating supplement will be used.

Site:  Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, 1501 Gaylord Trail, Grapevine TX 76051.  HR: $159 single/quad.  Guest rooms may be booked, NLT 4/7/2022 by calling (877) 382-7299 or (817) 778-2000, mention “US Chess”, or online at: https://book.passkey.com/go/USChessJuniorHigh.

Byes: One 1/2-point bye available (limit one) any round if requested prior to the start of Rd. 1.  Byes may not be revoked after Rd. 1.

Scoring: Team score = total of top four (minimum two) finishers from each school per section. K-8 Championship first place individual and team, including ties, will be the National Middle School Champion.

Schedule: Opening ceremony: Fri. 12:45 pm. Round start times: Fri. 1 pm and 7 pm, Sat. 9 am, 2 pm and 7 pm, Sun. 9 am and 2 pm. Awards Ceremony:  Sun., approx. 7 pm.

Entry Fee: $70/participant postmarked or online by 3/21, $90 postmarked or online by 4/4, $105 online by 4/18, $110 on site; $30.00 extra for all phone registrations; $30 fee for roster or section changes after 4/4 or any onsite changes. ONLINE REGISTRATION STRONGLY ENCOURAGED!  DO NOT MAIL ANY REGISTRATIONS AFTER 4/4!

Onsite registration: Thurs. 9 am – 9 pm & Fri. 8 am – 11 am. Players who register or change sections after 11 am on Friday will receive a 1/2-point bye for Round 1. Players must disclose any other, non-US Chess over-the-board (OTB) ratings.

Awards: Medals to top individuals & trophies to top teams in each section.  Every player receives a commemorative item! Full list of awards on tournament website.

Side Events: Bughouse: Thurs. 11 am, Reg. onsite only (no online or phone reg for Bughouse) Thurs. 9 -10 am, $30/team. K-12 Blitz: Thurs. 5 pm, Reg. online until Thurs. 2 pm, onsite until 4 pm. Blitz EF: $30 by 4/4, $40 after or at site. Class medals will be awarded in Blitz. Full list of awards on tournament website.

General questions: Contact nationalevents@uschess.org. Also check tournament website; many questions answered there. Team Room questions: Contact Pete Karagianis at pete.karagianis@uschess.org or 931.200.9477.

Entries: online (STRONGLY PREFERRED!) at www.uschess.org/tournaments/2022/ms or by mail at U.S. Chess Federation, Attn.: 2022 MS Championship, P.O. Box 3967, Crossville, TN 38557. (Do not mail registrations after 4/11!)  Advance entries and pre-tournament instructions are given on tournament website. See website for additional information about the event, advance entries, awards, meetings, team rooms, updates, corrections, and registration forms.

Tournament website:  www.uschess.org/tournaments/2022/ms.

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New Year’s Open 2022

Description: This is a USCF rated swiss chess tournament open to all chess players in San Antonio and surrounding areas. There will be 5 rounds in total. The tournament will be a two-day event on January 8th and 9th. 1/2 point bye available for any round if notified before Round 2 is paired. No last round byes. View the Event Website!

LIMIT 50 PEOPLE FOR THIS EVENT.
View the pre-registration list!

Round times:
• Registration at 9:00-9:45 am if not done online.
• Rounds 1, 2, & 3 starts promptly on January 8th at 10:00am, 2:00pm, and 6:00pm.
• Rounds 4 & 5 starts promptly on January 9th at 10:00am and 2:00pm.

Time controls:
• Rounds 1 & 2: G/75;d5
• Rounds 3, 4, & 5: G/90+30 sec.

Entry fee: $30 if received before December 20th, $40 if received before January 3rd, and $50 until the day of the event.  $60 for on-site registration and may have to take 1st round bye.
Register online now!

Sections and Prizes:
*50% guaranteed in prizes based on 30 entries. 50% guaranteed payout.
One prize per person

One section with class prizes.
(Open)
• $200-$100

• Top Class B(1600-1799): $80
• Top Class C(1400-1599): $80
• Top Class D(1200-1399): $80

• Top Class E and Under (U1200): $40

Questions? Email or phone Complete Chess, 210-393-3056