The Austin Grandmaster Chess Academy is hosting a weekly blitz tournament on Wednesday evenings for players aged 14+ or younger players with mature ratings (1400+). 6:00-8:30. USCF Membership required. Capacity: 60 players
Austin Grandmaster Chess Academy 12466 Los Indios Trail Austin, TX 78729
TOURNAMENT STYLE: 9 Round Swiss, one section, Time control: G/3;+2
RATING INFORMATION: ● Published 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.
TIME CONTROL & SCHEDULE: NOTE: Half-point byes are acceptable for all rounds, limit 1. Must commit before the 1st round.
One section: G/3;+2 Schedule: rounds asap
PLAYERS MAY NOT POSSESS CELL PHONES DURING THE TOURNAMENT. Any violators may be subject to disqualification and forfeiture.
Prizes Prizes are determined by paid entry fees. First Place: 30% Second Place: 20% Third Place: 10% There will be no closing ceremony but prizes will be sent after the tournament is complete via PayPal
Rules SECTIONS: All players will be playing in the same section. (USCF Rated) Players aged 14 or older, as well as those rated above 1400 USCF, will be allowed into the tournament. ENTRY FEE (members save 15%!): Standard Fee: $20 before 11:59PM September 13th Late Fee: $30 on or after September 14th TIME CONTROL: Game 3 min + 2 sec increment 9-Round Swiss System Schedule Rounds will be started as soon as the last game is finished. There will be a 10 minute break after Round 5. 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. Please leave your phone at home, in your car, or turned off (vibrate/silent not acceptable) on top of your table. Any violators may be subject to disqualification and forfeiture.
This is a Swiss-system US Chess-rated tournament, so everyone plays all day—there is no “elimination.” Players must know how to play the game of chess! We follow US Chess rules including: touch-move, mandatory clocks (bring your own if at all possible), and mandatory notation. If registrations exceed 32 in any one section, we reserve the right to split into two sections.
Location
Paragon Prep 7944 Great Northern Boulevard Austin, TX 78757
Eligibility
Open Section: All adults – if you have a child in a scholastic section, include a note with their full name when registering. Any youth who have reached at least 1200 monthly published rating as of September 2026 (exceptions made for live ratings).
This is a rated tournament. You must have a US Chess ID and your membership can be purchased/ renewed online with US Chess in advance of registration. You can verify your US Chess membership ID and expiration by visiting https://ratings.uschess.org. Anyone can become a US Chess member. Adults new to tournament chess are welcome to play in the open section. Youth players MUST have a ratings history. Your US Chess membership cannot expire before September 30, 2026.
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! 9:15am Open sections begin. Open has 4 rounds of G/45,+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.
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.
Food will be available for purchase. You may bring your own lunch and snacks. Only water bottles allowed at the chess board.
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.).
Registration Information
*$40 (youth) /$30 (adult) through Thursday, 9/3/2026 *$50 (youth) /$40 (adult) through Saturday, 9/12/2026 *$55 (youth) /$45 (adult) as of Sunday, 9/13/2026 and ENDS at 5pm on Thursday 9/17/26 *$65 (youth) / $50 (adult) Last chance and onsite entry, if space available, after 5 pm Thursday through the tournament date. Open section first round play requires registration and payment before 8:45am Saturday.
Withdrawals requested via email before midnight on Wednesday 9/16/26 are eligible for a refund (minus a $10 service fee). No exceptions. No refunds for US Chess memberships after purchased from US Chess.
If you need byes (rounds when you won’t be available to play), please request when you register by adding a note. First bye receives 1/2-point. Further byes receive 0-points. Email us to make changes to your requested byes. Deadline to add/remove 1/2-point byes is before the start of round 2.
*Open section: Will be paired onsite. Round 1 changes must be made no later than 8:45am.
Email Sarah Brauner at AustinChessTournaments@gmail.com with other questions.
US Chess rated chess tournament on September 19th in multiple RATED scholastic sections: K-3 U400, K-5 U600, K-5 U1000, 6-12 U1000, and K-12 Elite (for players rated 950-1399. Please note: all scholastic players rated 1400 and over must play in the Open Section. At the event pairings will be posted online only.
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 US Chess 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
Eligibility
This is a rated tournament. You must have a US Chess ID and your membership can be purchased/ renewed online with US Chess in advance of registration, or contact Dallas Chess Club at info@dallaschess.com at least a few days before the tournament for half-price junior memberships. You can check your US Chess membership ID and expiration by visiting https://ratings.uschess.org. Anyone can become a US Chess member. Players new to tournament chess are welcome to play. Your US Chess membership cannot expire before September 30, 2026. New players in 3rd grade and below may email us to request a non-member ID as a part of theJunior Tournament Player program. 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 email us. 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.
September 2026 ‘Regular’ OTB ratings will be used for section placement and pairing. If no regular rating is available, then other US Chess 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 August 19th 2026 will not affect your September published rating, as those events take place after September 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! 8:00am Chess Control opens for onsite registration. Onsite registrations before 9:30am accepted, but must start play in round 2. 8:30am Announcements begin in all scholastic playing rooms. Players and coaches should be present. 9:00am Rd 1 begins. Scholastic sections have 5 rds, G/25,+5, except K-12 Elite which is 5 rounds G/35,+5. 9:00am Open section (different event allowing adults) begins. Open has 4 rounds, G/45,+5. 9:15am-5:00pm 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.
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!
Food will be offered for purchase. You may also bring lunch and snacks. Only water bottles allowed at the chess board.
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. NOTE: A team refers to players in the same section from a particular school, not a club; in the School/Team field please provide the player’s school rather than their chess program. 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
*$40 through Thursday, 9/3/2026 *$50 through Saturday, 9/12/2026 *$55 as of Sunday, 9/13/2026 and ENDS at 5pm on Thursday 9/17/26 *$65 Last chance and onsite entry, if space is available. If after 7:30am on 9/19, receives 1/2pt bye in round 1, and begins play in round 2.
Withdrawals requested via email before midnight on Wednesday, 9/16/2026 are eligible for a refund (minus a $10 service fee). No refunds for US Chess memberships after purchased from US Chess.
If you need byes (rounds when your player won’t be available to play), please request when you register by adding a note. First bye receives 1/2-point. Further byes receive 0-points. Email us to make changes to your requested byes. Deadline to add or remove a 1st round requested bye is 7:30am Saturday 9/19/2026. All other 1/2-point byes must be requested/removed before the end of round 2. After 9am Friday, please make all changes and requests onsite at Chess Control.
Email Sarah Brauner at austinchesstournaments@gmail.com with other questions.
Organized by Rocks & Rooks. Gary Gaiffe, tournament organizer.
(Enter through main door and turn right. Tournament room is at the end of Parish Hall.)
VIEW ENTRY LIST(This is manually entered, so it may not reflect recent registrations.)
4 Rounds at a time control of G/45;d5 (45 minutes with a 5 second delay)
3 Sections:
Championship- Ratings 1600+ (1400-1599 may play up for $10 fee)
Under 1601- Ratings 1000-1600 (800-999 may play up for $10 fee)
Under 1000- Ratings 0-999
Notes on Sections:
Mostunrated players should play in the Under 1000 section, but you may play up in the U1601.
We go by monthly published ratings, but if your live current rating goes up before the tournament, you may request to move sections.
There is a $10 PLAY-UP FEE for those playing up to a higher section. You must still meet the section minimum rating to play up.
Check in & Pay: 9:30 to 9:50 AM (*Because we do not accept payment in advance, players not checked in by 9:50 am will NOT be paired in Round 1 –unless you notify us that you are on the way. If you are registered, but can no longer play, please let us know.)
Round Times:
Round 1- 10:00 AM
Round 2- 11:45 AM
Round 3- 2:00 PM
Round 4- 3:45 PM
Entry Fee: $20 CASH (no credit, no debit) upon arrival. Exact change is appreciated! Extra $10 play-up fee for those playing up. Cash Prizes- Based on the number of entries. The prize list will be posted on-site, after the start of Round 1.
Limited Capacity of 70 players! Register by filling out the form below. ——————————————————————
Please check that your membership is not expired before registering (https://ratings.uschess.org.) If you need help creating or renewing your US Chess membership, please email us (contact info is below.)
Notation is required. We provide notation sheets. You may also use your own notation book/ sheets or a USCF approved notation device. Please bring a pen or pencil.
Please bring a chess clock if you have one. The club has a limited supply. Chess sets are provided.
For those new to tournaments: Swiss means all players will play all 4 rounds, unless there is a requested bye (1/2 point) because you need to miss a round or an assigned bye (full point) due to uneven sections.
Compete with Complete Chess March 14th for our second ever team Tournament!
3-Person Team Chess Tournament
14-Team Cap • $125 per Team • $750 Prize Fund • 4 Rounds • Open to All
USCF Rated Event
Schedule
Format: 4 Rounds • G/40;d5
Round Times: 10:00, 11:45, 1:30, 3:15
Location
Sideliners: 15630 Henderson Pass, San Antonio, TX 78232
Teams & Sections
Teams consist of 3 players.
All teams must declare a team name when registering.
Sections by team average rating:
U1800 (Championship): Avg ≤1800
U1500: 1200–1499
U1200/Unrated: <1200 or unrated team
Team average rating = (Board 1 + Board 2 + Board 3) ÷ 3, using latest USCF Regular ratings.
Entry
All-Member Teams: Free
Mixed or Non-Member Teams: $125 per team
Cap: 14 teams (42 players)
Registration: Pre-registration only
Register Now!
Team captain registers all 3 players
Choose your Team Name
Pairings
All teams play in one open Swiss (4 rounds).
Pairings are determined by team average rating.
Boards
Board order must follow rating order (highest on Board 1).
Lineup is fixed once Round 1 begins.
Time Control & Schedule
G/40; d5
4 rounds total.
Teams must check in 30 minutes before Round 1.
Prizes
U1800: $350
U1500: $250
U1200/Unrated: $150
One prize per team.
Prizes awarded to the team captain for distribution.
Equipment
All boards, pieces, and clocks are provided by the club.
**All winnings will be sent via check. Please ensure your shipping address and the name for the check are accurately provided during the registration process.
**No refunds after September 5th of the event. All refunds will be charged a $7 processing and transaction fee.
A one-day tournament on September 12, 2026 offering G/24 with 5 sec. delay per move. 4 Round Swiss. Sections dependent on turnout. EF: $15.00 all. USCF membership required. Online registration and payment preferred.
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 must not expire before September 30, 2026.
We would like to start on-time. Please arrive early. Entries must be received and paid in full by 3:45pm. Online entry preferred.
Entry fee is $15/player. We would like the first round to begin at 4:00pm sharp. Doors open at 3:00pm; follow the signs to our meeting areas.
Equipment provided. We look forward to seeing you!
Location: entrance is at the back of the parking lot, up the stairway with the Austin Chess Club sign 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, including contact information, click here.
This slow swiss takes place over 4 weeks, with games on August 15th, 22nd, 29th. G/90 with 30 sec increment per move. 4 round Swiss. Sections dependent on turnout, limited to 32 players. EF: $15.00 all. Link to: Online registration and payment requested.
USCF membership must not expire before August 31, 2026.
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.
Register online via above link or onsite 3:00-3:45pm. 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. Participants who wish to enter the tournament late may email Austin Chess Club. Late entry must be made (emailed) before 10am on Saturday, August 22nd to secure a round 2 pairing.
Location: 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/.
September 4, 2026 to September 7, 2026 La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham San Antonio Riverwalk 303 Blum St, San Antonio TX 78205
$10,000 Prize Fund
Based on 150 entries
https://www.kingregistration.com/event/92SWO
Event Overview
The 92nd Southwest Open is hosted by the Texas Chess Association (US Chess Affiliate T5011914). The tournament features two main sections and two side events (Blitz and Freestyle). All players in the Championship section must have a FIDE ID, and foreign players must disclose their FIDE ID prior to Round 1.
The Championship section will be FIDE-rated and played under FIDE rules. US Chess ratings and rules will be used for pairings and prize eligibility. Players rated 1800 to 1999 may enter the Championship section by paying an additional $40 play up fee. The September 2026 US Chess rating supplement will be used. Texas Chess Association membership is required for all players, including those from out of state.
Sections
Championship: FIDE & US Chess rated, 7SS, G/90+30
Reserve: US Chess rated, 7SS, G/90+30
Eligibility
Championship: Open to players rated 2000 or above (US Chess regular or FIDE), or those who have previously held a 2000+ rating. National invitational representatives are allowed to play in the Championship.
Reserve: Open to players rated under 2000 and unrated players.
Open to all US Chess and TCA members. Foreign titled players (GM, IM, WGM, WIM) do not need US Chess membership.
Entry Fees
Championship & Reserve
$125 through July 31 (Early Bird)
$155 through August 31
$185 through September 3
$205 on September 4 and onsite (registration closes 1 hour before Round 1)
GMs and foreign IMs free entry in Championship section
Re-entry: $40 (Reserve section only, available before the start of Round 3)
*Unrated players may play in the Reserve section. In the Reserve section, unrated players are NOT eligible for Top Class B prize.
Prizes
Championship:
1st $3000
2nd $1500
3rd $750
1st U2200 $500
2nd U2200 $300
Top Female $325
Reserve (U2000):
1st $1000
2nd $750
3rd $500
Top Class B $500
Top U1600/Unrated $500
Top Female $325
Forfeit Rule
Players in the Championship and Reserve sections who fail to appear within 30 minutes of round start forfeit the game unless the Chief TD otherwise provides for good cause. In all other sections, a player forfeits the game only if their time expires on the clock before they arrive.
Up to two 1/2-point byes are available if requested before the end of round 2 and before receiving a full-point bye, but 1/2-point byes for both rounds 6 and 7 are not permitted.
Side Events
Texas Blitz Championship: Sunday, September 6, 7:30pm: 5 round Double Swiss G/5 time control. This is US Chess rated. The entry fee is $30 ($50 onsite). Registration closes 1 hour before round 1. Regular rating will be used if you don’t have a blitz rating. 2 sections Championship 1600+ and Reserve U1600.
Prizes (based on 20 entries): Championship: 1st $150, 2nd $75, Top U2000 $75; Reserve: 1st $125, 2nd $75.
Texas Freestyle Championship: Sunday, September 6, 9:30pm: 5 round Swiss G/7+3 Freestyle, also known as Chess 960 or Fischer Random, is a chess variant where the starting position is randomized. This is not rated. The entry fee is $30.
Prizes (based on 20 entries): Open: 1st $150, 2nd $75, Top U2000 $75
TCA Annual Membership Meeting
Friday, September 4th, 8:00pm.
This is a business meeting where members will hear reports from officers and vote on important business affecting the Association. All TCA members who are Texas residents and at least 16 years of age are voting members. Everyone is welcome to attend. An agenda will be posted on the TCA website at least two weeks in advance.
Change Request Form (for section changes, name corrections, etc.)
All requests must be submitted through the form. Requests will not be accepted by email, text, phone, or in person; https://forms.gle/7ki2kjgGSTf2AGju5
Other Rules and Information
Chess sets and clocks provided Notation required. All players are required to use tournament provided electronic notation devices when directed by tournament staff. Failure or refusal to comply may result in forfeiture or other penalties at the discretion of the Chief Tournament Director. Food and drinks are not allowed in the playing hall. Water is the only exception. No electronic devices (except necessary medical equipment and clocks) in Championship and Reserve. Players in other sections may use electronic notation devices endorsed by US Chess. Only players whose game is in progress, tournament directors and staff, TCA officers, and press are allowed in the hall during rounds. Refunds available until September 1, 12:00pm, subject to a $25 fee. Only Texas residents are eligible for state champion titles. Players requiring accommodations due to disability or religious reasons should contact the organizer as soon as possible, preferably at least two weeks before the tournament.
Hotel
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham San Antonio Riverwalk 303 Blum, San Antonio TX 78205
Help support one of Texas’ premier chess events. Sponsorships help increase prize funds, improve the player experience, and support the Texas Chess Association’s mission of growing chess across the state.
Businesses and individuals can sponsor the event at a variety of levels. Sponsors receive recognition through event signage, the tournament website, social media, printed materials, and other promotional opportunities depending on sponsorship level.
Early entry $50 through 9/6; Regular entry $60 9/7-9/13; Late entry $75 from 9/14. Members save 15%!
Players are allowed to play up within 100 rating points for a $0.50/point fee. See registration website for other policies, including byes and cancellation.
U800
0 – 799
G/30; d5
6 Rounds
10:00 AM
U1200
800 – 1199
G/40; d5
5 Rounds
10:00 AM
U1600
1200 – 1599
G/40; d5
5 Rounds
10:00 AM
U2000
1600 – 1999
G/60; d5
4 Rounds
10:00 AM
2000+
2000+
G/60; d5
4 Rounds
10:00 AM
SCHEDULES:
Schedules vary by section, see tournament website for specific times
Prizes
2000+: $400, $200, $100
U2000: $200, $100, $50
U1600: $100, $75, $50
U1200: Chess books
U800: Chess books
Play-up fees will directly be added to the prizes so they may be higher.
Early entry $40 through 8/30; Regular entry $50 8/31-9/6; Late entry $65 from 9/7
Players are allowed to play up within 100 rating points for a $0.50/point fee. See registration website for other policies, including byes and cancellation.
Scholastic U600
0 – 599
G/25; d5
6 Rounds
10:00 AM
Scholastic U1000
600 – 999
G/25; d5
6 Rounds
10:00 AM
Scholastic U1400
1000 – 1399
G/35; d5
5 Rounds
10:00 AM
Scholastic U1800
1400 – 1799
G/55; d5
4 Rounds
10:00 AM
Open 1800+
1800+
G/55; d5
4 Rounds
10:00 AM
SCHEDULES:
Schedules vary by section, see website for specific times
Prizes
Open Section:
1st Place $300
2nd Place $200
3rd Place $100
60% of Play-up fees will directly be added to the prizes so they may be higher.
Scholastic Sections:
Trophies for 1st Place
Medals for 2nd and 3rd Place
Books for the top finishers as well
Your Best Source for Central Texas Chess News and Events.
