Category: Past Events

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Senior’s Unrated Christmas Chess Tournament (San Antonio)

All-day, unrated chess tournament for players age 50 and up. Emailed pre-registrations requested.

Date
December 17, 2022

Location
Julia Yates Semmes Library
15060 Judson Rd.
San Antonio, TX 78247

Rounds and Times

Five Rounds of G/30.

  • We play approximately 11:00 – 4:00.
  • Registration & Check-in: 10:15
  • It would be helpful if all players would pre-register, so the tournament can get underway in a timely manner.

More information

Entry is free.

You must bring your chess set and clock.

Ribbons awarded for the top 6 places!

Questions and Registration

For registration questions or to register, please email
Felix Fierros, (Lexfierros@yahoo.com )
Felix Fierros and RIchard Garcia, Co-Tournament Directors.

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2023 National Middle School (K-8) Championship

This is a DON’T MISS event! The National Middle School Tournament offers sections for every ability level. Players only need to be 8th grade or younger. 

Date

The tournament takes place over a long weekend, with games on Friday, April 21st thru Sunday, April 23rd.

Location

The tournament takes place at the Kalahari Resort and Convention Center in Round Rock.

Details

Format:  7SS, G/90 d10.  (NEW time control!) 

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.

Byes: Maximum two half-point byes available any round if requested prior to the start of Rd. 1.  A half-point bye in round 1 must be requested at the time of registration, or on-site before 11 AM Friday.  A half-point bye request for rounds 2-7 not requested in advance must be requested two hours before the scheduled start of round 2.  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.

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.

Registration

More information and registration is now available. Visit our online TLA  for more event details, including schedule, fees, and site information.
Visit http://www.uschess.org/tournaments/2023/ms/ to register for the event!

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ACC USCF G/24 Quick-Rated Swiss

A one-day tournament on November 26th 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 available soon.

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 November 30, 2022. 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 and some patience as we get used to our new surroundings. We are looking forward to seeing everyone again and meeting new people!

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 Rated G/90 Standard Swiss

This slow swiss takes place over 3 weeks, with games on October 29th, November 5th, and November 12th. G/90 with 30 sec. increment per move. 3 round Swiss. Sections dependent on turnout. EF: $15.00 all. Online registration and payment requested.

USCF membership must not expire before November 30, 2022. Please renew with the USCF (https://new.uschess.org/) before coming to the event.

Austin Chess Club is a wonderful atmosphere for the mature, experienced chess player. 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 29th. 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, November 5th 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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Unrated Elementary Chess Tournament at Hidden Cove Steam Academy, San Antonio

All-day, unrated chess tournament in 3 sections for Elementary players. Emailed pre-registrations required.

Date
November 12, 2022

Location
Hidden Cove Steam Academy
5102 Trading Post Dr.
San Antonio, TX 78242

Sections

  • Grades K-1
  • Grades 2-3
  • Grades 4-6*

*6th graders must attend an Elementary School
**All sections are unrated.  NO USCF membership required.

Rounds and Times

Five Rounds of G/30.

  • We play approximately 10:30 – 4:00.
  • Registration & Check-in: 8:00 – 9:00am
  • All pre-registered players must arrive to check in, verify their name, and pay, or they may be ineligible to play in the first round.
  • Onsite entries and late check-ins will receive a 1st round bye.
  • Round one start time could change in order to ensure correct pairings.

More information

Entry Fee is $10, cash or check.
Please make checks out to Hidden Cove Steam Academy.

Bring your chess sets in case of a large turnout!

Parents/Sponsors: This is an all day event!

Questions and Registration

For registration questions or to register, please email
Felix Fierros, (Lexfierros@yahoo.com )
If registering, please list full names and grade level of all players.

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2022 Chess in the Park

Chess outdoors in Wooldridge park! Unrated 4 round G/20 tournament for all ages in 2 scholastic sections and one open section. No elimination – play all rounds whether you win or lose!

View the Pre-Registration list!

View the Results:
K-3
K-6
Open

Date
November 13, 2022

Location
Wooldridge Park
9th and Guadalupe
near Downtown
Austin, TX

The park is on the corner of 9th and Guadalupe.  Plenty of street parking is available.

Sections

  • Open
  • K-6
  • K-3

*Lower sections may be combined if registrations are low.
*All sections are unrated.  NO USCF membership required.
*Restricted to the first 100 players.

Rounds and Times

Four Rounds at a time control of G/20.

  • We play approximately noon – 5pm.
  • Registration & Check-in: 11:20am – 12:00noon
  • All pre-registered players must arrive before noon, or they may be ineligible to play in the first round.
  • We play approximately noon – 5pm.

Entry fee and Prizes:

  • Online entries: $12 – by Saturday 11/5 (online payment only).
  • Online entries: $16 – between 11/6 and 11/12 (12pm) (online payment only)
  • Onsite entries: $20 – Cash only. May receive a round 1 bye and begin play in round 2. 
  • Prizes– At least top 3 finishers in each section will receive a medal.

Details

Online registration closed at noon on Saturday, November 12th. You may register onsite.

  • Boards and Sets supplied!
  • NO US Chess Membership necessary. 
  • NO Notation required. Feel free if you wish to bring pen and paper, but these are quick games!
  • A donation jar will be available for players who want to help the Austin Parks & Rec.

Rain Location

If there is inclement weather, the tournament will be held at the Dobie Mall food court – Guadalupe and 21st on the 2nd level.

If that occurs, all participants will be emailed AND notices will be placed on this website (this event page and the home page) as soon as a decision to relocate is made.

Questions

For registration questions, please email
Lori Balkum, (registrar@austinchesstournaments.com)
For all other event questions, please email
Gary Gaiffe, (ggaiffe@att.net)

Organized by Rocks & Rooks

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November Rapid – Chess for Trees

Chess For Trees is a nonprofit.

The tournament will consist of an Open Section and a K-12 Section. There will be trophy prizes for the K-12 Section and cash prizes for the Open  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, and you must be a current USCF member.

Instructions on how to create chess.com account, register to compete in USCF online rated events, and linking your USCF profile to your chess.com username can be found on the tournament website.

Registration Fee: $10
Registration closes on November 7th.
Register online today!

Prizes
Top 3 in the K-12 section will receive trophies.  Number of trophies given out may increase based on the number of participants

OpenSection receives cash prizes.
1st Place: $40
2nd Place: $25
3rd Place: $15

Technical Instructions
Instructions for how to join an online event, how to find the Chess for Trees club, fair play, and other topics are are available on the event website.

Please note:
Both sections will start at 11 AM CST on 11/12.

Payment Information and Refund Policy
A payment link is located at the bottom of the event page. If the tournament is canceled for any reason, all entries will 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 11/9.

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

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Open/Adult Section at the Casis Scholastic Chess Tournament

USCF rated chess tournament for adults and more advanced scholastic players (rated 1400 and above).  Scholastic players must have reached 1400 at some point in their USCF (regular) ratings history in order to compete in the open section. (Less experienced youth players should register for the scholastic event.)  View the preregistration list online. Verify your Family-Child team entry (each team must have at least 1 adult!)

Online registration is now closed and we will NOT be accepting onsite entries.  We have simply run out of space.

Tournament Day links:

Online Pairings, Wall Charts, and Standings

Pictures of the school:
Entrance on Exposition (gate will be open)
Building Entrance from North Parking Lot

Parking and Campus Maps:
Parking Map
Basic Campus Map

Concessions:
Concessions – Detailed

Communications:
Scholastic Email
Open Email

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 30, we will split into two sections.

Location

Casis Elementary School
2710 Exposition Blvd
Austin, TX 78703

Eligibility

All adults
Advanced youth (1400+).
Ineligible entries will be moved to the appropriate scholastic section of the 2023 Winter Casis 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 January 31, 2023.  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. Onlie registration is now closed and we will not be accepting 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 TBD.  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.

*Early entry (youth $30, adult $25) thru 11/26/2022
*Regular entry (youth $35, adult $30) thru 01/07/2023
*Late entry (youth $45, adult $40) ENDS at NOON on Thursday 01/19/2023 or when we run out of playing space, at which time online entry closes.
*If space permits, onsite registration will be permitted, $50 regardless of age. Cash or venmo only. First round play requires registration before 8:45am.

Withdrawals requested via email before noon on Thursday 01/19/2023 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 01/20/2023. 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).

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2023 Winter Casis Scholastic Chess Tournament

January 21st Scholastic chess tournament in multiple sections. G/30, d5. Trophies and medals awarded. Due to space constraints, online registration has closed early.  We have no more seats. Thank you for understanding.

Tournament Day links:

Online Pairings, Wall Charts, and Standings

Pictures of the school:
Entrance on Exposition (gate will be open)
Building Entrance from North Parking Lot

Parking and Campus Maps:
Parking Map
Basic Campus Map

Concessions:
Concessions – Detailed

Communications:
Scholastic Email
Open Section Email

Basics

USCF rated chess tournament on January 21st in multiple RATED scholastic sections: K-1 U400, K-3 U400, K-3 U700, K-5 U400, K-5 U700, K-5 U1000,  6-12 U600, 6-12 U1000, and K-12 Elite (for players rated 900-1400). Please note: all scholastic players rated 1400 and over must play in the Open section. View the tournament preregistration 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

Casis Elementary School
2710 Exposition Blvd
Austin, TX 78703

Eligibility

This is a rated tournament. You must have a USCF ID and your membership (can be purchased/renewed at check out or online with the USCF in advance of registration) . You can verify your USCF membership ID and expiration by visiting the USCF’s Member Services Area. Anyone can become a USCF member. Players new to tournament chess are welcome to play. Your USCF membership cannot expire before January 31, 2023. 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 register asap and we can adjust your section later as your rating changes.

Please note: January 2023 ‘Regular’ OTB ratings will be used for pairing purposes. If no regular rating is available, then other January 2023 USCF ratings (quick, blitz, online) can and will be considered for section placement.  Requests to play down will not be honored.

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!
8:40 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 (different event allowing adults) 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 TBD.  Only water bottles allowed at the chess board.

Proper handwashing and adherence to COVID 19 exposure guidelines mandatory!

Awards

Trophies & Medals to Top Contenders! Ribbons to all participants! Trophies to the top individuals in each scholastic section. Trophies to the top teams in all sections. Number of individual and team trophies will depend on number of entries. Chess medals will go to all players (excluding Open section) that finish the tournament with a positive score (3.0 & 3.5 points). Trophies to players scoring 4.0 and above. No teams in Open section, but special trophies will be awarded to the highest scoring Family & Child teams (Uncles, Aunts, 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. Online registration is now closed.

*Early entry $30 thru 11/26/2022
* Regular entry $35 thru 01/07/2023
*Late entry $45 ENDS at NOON on Thursday 01/19/2023 or when we have reached maximum capacity, 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 01/19/2023 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 01/20/2023. 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).

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2022 Texas State Grade Championships

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

Location
The Health & Physical Education Complex Fieldhouse,
Edinburg Campus of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
1201 W. University Dr.
Edinburg, TX 78539

 

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.
Current USCF regular ratings will be used.
USCF memberships/renewals will be handled at this tournament.
6 Round Swiss, Time control is G45;d/5 (K-5) & G/60;d/5 (6-12).
Online pairing will be utilized throughout the event.

More information and Registration
For more information (awards,  entry fees, hotel suggestion, schedule) and to register, please visit the event website: http://www.dkchess.com/stategrades

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).