Category: Past Events

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2024 South Texas Grade Championships (Elementary Players)

USCF rated, 6 round chess tournament to determine the state champion for each grade level! 13 sections offered (see below).  View the Event flyer.

Players from Austin and SA are eligible for both the North/Central AND the South Grade Championships.  Players of any and all abilities are welcome to attend!

Location
Brownsville Campus of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Student Union
650 Ringgold Rd
Brownsville, TX 78520

Sections
Note:  Players must play in their current grade level. Playing up to a higher or down to a lower grade level is not permitted. Homeschoolers, please register for a section based on your age.

1 section for each grade level: Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th

Basics
This is an official USCF-rated tournament open to all current USCF members that reside in Texas.
USCF rules and regulations will be strictly adhered to.
All players must have current USCF membership to play. (NO USCF’s processed onsite.)
Current USCF regular ratings will be used.
NO USCF memberships/renewals will be handled at this tournament.
6 Round Swiss
Chess sets, clocks, notations, and pens provided!

More information and Registration
For more information (awards,  entry fees, hotel suggestion, schedule) and to register, please visit the event website: https://www.utrgv.edu/chess/

Entry fees are staggered! Register asap!

Questions
If you still have questions after visiting the event website, please contact David Ortiz,  david.ortiz02@utrgv.edu, 832-908-5462 (text or call me with questions).

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ACC USCF Rated G/90 Standard Swiss

This slow swiss takes place over 4 weeks, with games on October 12th, 19th, 26th and November 2nd. G/90 with 30 sec. increment per move. 4 round Swiss. Sections dependent on turnout. EF: $20.00 all. Online registration and payment requested.

USCF membership must not expire before November 30, 2024.

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 3:00-3:45pm on October 12th. 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, October 19th to secure a round 2 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/.

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ACC USCF Quick-rated G/24 Swiss

A one-day tournament on October 5th 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 suggested.

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 October 31, 2024. Please renew with the USCF (https://new.uschess.org/) before coming to the event.

We would like to start on-time. Please arrive early. Entries must be received and paid in full by 3:45pm.  Online entry preferred.

Cost is $15/player. We would like the first round to begin at 4:00pm sharp. Doors open at 3:00pm, so please arrive early. Follow the signs to our meeting areas.

Please bring a set and a board. We look forward to seeing you!

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 thoroughly before emailing with questions.

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Waco October 12 Swiss- National Chess Day Tournament

Rated 4SS in 4 sections; G/45, d5. This event takes place on October  12, 2024. Limited to 60 players!

Location
Holy Spirit Episcopal Church
1624 Wooded Acres Dr
Waco, TX 76710
(free parking on site!)

The church is behind the Target shopping center. Enter through main doors and turn right. The tournament room is at the end the of hallway.

Sections

  • 1800+ (Open to players rated 1800 and higher)
  • U1800 (Open to players rated 1200-1799)
  • U1400 (Open to players rated 700-1399)
  • U900 (Open to players rated 899 or less)

Rounds and Times
Four Rounds at a time control of G/45;d5

  • Registration & Check-in: 9:00 to 9:20 AM
  • Round One: 9:30 AM
  • Round Two: 11:15 AM
  • Round Three: 1:30 PM (after lunch)
  • Round Four: 3:15 PM
  • $20 – Cash only (exact change appreciated). Paid when you arrive to tournament. 
  • Cash Prizes– Based on the number of entries

Registration Link and tournament info

  • Onsite Registration is 9:00 – 9:20 AM.  If you show up onsite without preregistering, there’s a chance the tournament will already be full.
  • Pre-registered not checked in by 9:20am will not be paired in round 1, unless you notify us (via email or text) that you are on the way.
  • (For parents registering children, you may enter the parent email and phone number, but please enter the player’s name.)

Details

  • Please bring a clock if you have one! We will provide chess sets.
  • 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.

Questions

For questions or problems registering, please email or text:
Dan Shafer (daniel_m_shafer@baylor.edu)
Deborah Shafer (dshaferchess@yahoo.com)
Or visit our site (wacochess.org)

Read our ONLINE TLA!

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September Austin Monthly Scholastic – G/30 Sections

Rated 5SS in three sections (K-12 U1000, K-5 U800, and K-3) playing G/30, d5, offered by the Atlantic Chess Association on 9/28/2024. This event is limited to scholastic players. Read the description and register online: https://caissachess.net/online-registration/index/4940

Location
Bethany United Methodist Church
10010 Anderson Mill Rd
Austin, TX 78750

Sections

  • K-12 U1000
  • K-5 U800
  • K-3

Note: The Monthly Austin Scholastic Tournament is open to all players in elementary, middle, and high school. There is also a separate tournament for K-12 participants with a longer time control (G/45; d5) being offered. Registration for the G/45 tournament is available at https://caissachess.net/online-registration/index/4941

Schedule
FIVE Rounds at a time control of G/30, d5

  • Onsite registration : BEFORE 9 AM
    No check-in necessary if you have pre-registered.
  • Round One: 10:00 AM
  • Round Two: 11:30 AM
  • Round Three: 1:30 PM 
  • Round Three: 3:00 PM 
  • Round Four: 4:30 PM

An awards ceremony will be held immediately after all games in a section finish. Trophies and medals to top finishing individuals in each scholastic section; ribbons to all participants.

Limit two half-point byes. Byes must be committed 1 hr before Round 2.

Entry Fee
$40 by 9/15
$45 by 9/25
$50 on or after 9/26 (on-site registration closes 1 hour before Round 1).

All registration deadlines are in EST.

Withdrawals requested via email before NOON on Friday 9/27/24 are eligible for a refund (minus a $10 processing fee). Full credit can be applied to any future tournament. No refunds for USCF memberships after purchased from USCF.

Registration link: https://caissachess.net/online-registration/index/4940

Other Notes
This tournament is USCF-rated. Your USCF membership should not expire before 9/30/2024.

Boards and pieces will be provided, but please bring your chess clock. Each player should have a chess clock to play. If you do not have one, chess clocks will be available for purchase onsite.

If both players do not have a clock AND the game does not finish within one hour, TDs will put a clock with 5 mins time for each player.

Questions
Please contact director@atlanticchessassociation.com if you have any questions.

Online TLA!

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September Austin Monthly Scholastic – G/45 Championship Section

Rated 5SS in one section (K-12 Championship) playing G/45, d5, offered by the Atlantic Chess Association on 9/28/2024. Read the description and register online:  https://caissachess.net/online-registration/index/4941

Location
Bethany United Methodist Church
10010 Anderson Mill Rd
Austin, TX 78750

Sections

  • K-12 Championship 

Note: The Monthly Austin Scholastic Tournament is open to all players in elementary, middle, and high school. There is a separate tournament for K-12 participants with a faster time control (G/30; d5). Registration for the G/30 tournament is available at https://caissachess.net/online-registration/index/4940

Schedule
FIVE Rounds at a time control of G/45, d5

  • Onsite registration : BEFORE 8 AM
    No check-in necessary if you have pre-registered.
  • Round One: 9:00 AM
  • Round Two: 10:45 AM
  • Round Three: 1:00 PM 
  • Round Three: 2:45 PM 
  • Round Four: 4:30 PM

An awards ceremony will be held immediately after all games in a section finish. Trophies and medals to top finishing individuals in each scholastic section; ribbons to all participants.

Limit two half-point byes. Byes must be committed 1 hr before Round 2.

Entry Fee
$40 by 9/15
$45 by 9/25
$50 on or after 9/26 (on-site registration closes 1 hour before Round 1).

All registration deadlines are in EST!

Withdrawals requested via email before NOON on Friday 9/27/24 are eligible for a refund (minus a $10 processing fee). Full credit can be applied to any future tournament. No refunds for USCF memberships after purchased from USCF.

Registration link: https://caissachess.net/online-registration/index/4941

Other Notes
This tournament is USCF-rated. Your USCF membership should not expire before 9/30/2024.

Boards and pieces will be provided, but please bring your chess clock. Each player should have a chess clock to play. If you do not have one, chess clocks will be available for purchase onsite.

If both players do not have a clock AND the game does not finish within one hour, TDs will put a clock with 5 mins time for each player.

Questions
Please contact director@atlanticchessassociation.com if you have any questions.

ONLINE TLA!

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2024 North/Central Texas Grade Championships

USCF rated, 6 round chess tournament to determine the state champion for each grade level! 13 sections offered (see below).

Players from Austin and SA are eligible for both the North/Central AND the South Grade Championships.  Players of any and all abilities are welcome to attend!

Individual and Team Standings are available online!

Location
Sheraton North Houston IAH
15700 John F. Kennedy Boulevard Houston, Texas 77032

Sections
Note:  Players must play in their current grade level. Playing up to a higher or down to a lower grade level is not permitted. Homeschoolers, please register for a section based on your age.

• Kindergarten• 7th Grade
• 1st Grade• 8th Grade
• 2nd Grade• 9th Grade
• 3rd Grade• 10th Grade
• 4th Grade• 11th Grade
• 5th Grade• 12th Grade
• 6th Grade

Basics
This is an official USCF-rated tournament open to all current USCF members that reside in Texas.
USCF rules and regulations will be strictly adhered to.
All players must have current USCF membership to play.
USCF October Supplement regular ratings will be used.
USCF memberships/renewals will be handled at this tournament.
6 Round Swiss
Time Controls: Grades K-5th G45;d5 for round 1, all rounds afterward G60;d5.  Grades 6-12th, all rounds G60;d5

More information and Registration
For more information (awards, entry fees, optional hotel booking link, schedule, and side events) and to register, please visit the event website: https://www.kingregistration.com/event/TXGrades

Questions
If you still have questions after visiting the event website, please contact thechessrefinery@gmail.com, 281.698.0068 (text only – no calls, please).

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Waco September 14 Swiss

Rated 4SS in 3 sections; G/45, d5. This event takes place on September 14, 2024. Limited to 60 players!

Location
Holy Spirit Episcopal Church
1624 Wooded Acres Dr
Waco, TX 76710
(free parking on site!)

The church is behind the Target shopping center. Enter through main doors and turn right. The tournament room is at the end the of hallway.

Sections

  • Championship
  • U1600
  • U1000

Rounds and Times
Four Rounds at a time control of G/45;d5

  • Registration & Check-in: 9:00 to 9:20 AM
  • Round One: 9:30 AM
  • Round Two: 11:15 AM
  • Round Three: 1:30 PM (after lunch)
  • Round Four: 3:15 PM
  • $20 – Cash only (exact change appreciated). Paid when you arrive to tournament. 
  • Cash Prizes– Based on the number of entries

Registration Link and tournament info

  • Onsite Registration is 9:00 – 9:20 AM.  If you show up onsite without preregistering, there’s a chance the tournament will already be full.
  • Pre-registered not checked in by 9:20am will not be paired in round 1, unless you notify us (via email or text) that you are on the way.
  • (For parents registering children, you may enter the parent email and phone number, but please enter the player’s name.)

Details

  • Please bring a clock if you have one! We will provide chess sets.
  • 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.

Questions

For questions or problems registering, please email or text:
Dan Shafer (daniel_m_shafer@baylor.edu)
Deborah Shafer (dshaferchess@yahoo.com)
Or visit our site (wacochess.org)

Read our ONLINE TLA!

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Open Section at the 2024 Fall NYOS Scholastic Chess Tournament

USCF rated chess tournament on September 7, 2024 for adults and more advanced scholastic players. 4SS of G/45 +5.  Thank you for playing! Final Results have been posted and rated by the USCF.  Prize checks will be mailed later this week.

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

NYOS Charter School
12333 N Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78753

Eligibility

All adults
Any youth who have reached at least 1300 by the September 2024 USCF supplement.
Ineligible entries will be moved to the appropriate scholastic section of the 2024 Fall NYOS Scholastic Chess Tournament.

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 September 30, 2024.  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, +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 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 TBA.  Only water bottles allowed at the chess board.

Proper handwashing and adherence to COVID 19 exposure guidelines mandatory!

Awards

Cash prizes (to winners in both sections, in the case of multiple sections), based on number of entries. Special trophies will be awarded to the highest scoring Family & Child teams  (Uncles, Aunts, Adult siblings, Parents, or Grandparents paired with at least one scholastic aged player.). 

Registration Information

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

*youth – $35/adult – $25 thru Saturday, 8/17/2024.
*youth – $45/adult – $35 thru Saturday, 8/31/2024.
*Late entry youth-$50 / adult – $40 begins Sunday, 9/1/2024 and ENDS at midnight on Wednesday 9/4/24, at which time online entry closes.
*If space permits, onsite registration on Saturday, 9/7/24 will be permitted, $50 regardless of age. Cash or venmo only. First round play requires registration and payment before 8:45am.

Withdrawals requested via email before midnight on Wednesday 9/4/24 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 9/6/2024. 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!

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2024 Fall NYOS Scholastic Chess Tournament

Scholastic chess tournament in multiple sections to be held on September 7, 2024. G/25, +5 inc. Trophies and medals awarded.

Thank you for playing! The Final Results have been posted.  The tournament has been rated by the USCF.

Verify your entry on the Advance Entry (Pre-registration) list. 

Basics

USCF rated chess tournament on September 7th in multiple RATED scholastic sections: K-3 U400, K-3 U700, K-5 U600,  K-5 U1000,  6-12 U600, 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. 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 and younger sections are excused from taking notation. Please review the Parent/Coach Responsibilities before registering

Location

NYOS Charter School
12333 N Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78753

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 September 30, 2024. 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 sections 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: September 2024 ‘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 August 21st will not affect your September supplement rating, as those events takes 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!
8:00 a.m. Chess Control opens for onsite registration.  Onsite registrations before 9:30am accepted, but must start play in round 2.
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/25, +5.
9:00 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
Awards in the cafeteria as each section finishes.

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.

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, Adult siblings, Parents, Grandparents, or coach paired with at least one scholastic aged player.)

Registration Information

*$35 thru Saturday, 8/17/2024.
*$45 thru Saturday, 8/31/2024.
*Late entry $50 begins Sunday, 9/1/2024 and ENDS at midnight on Wednesday, 9/4/2024, at which time online entry closes.
*$60 Onsite entry receives 1/2pt bye in round 1, and begins play in round 2.

Withdrawals requested via email before online registration closes (midnight on Wednesday 9/4/24) 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 9/6/2024. 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!