Category: Past Events

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Paragon Summer Camp: Chess For Enjoyment and Improvement

Description: A full-day, week-long chess camp, hosted by Paragon Prep on June 10-14, 2024.  Featuring Gary Gaiffe and local area instructors. All scholastic players are invited to register!

Grades K – 8th.  Chess Camp includes formal instruction and play, plus a camp-wide tournament at the end of the week! Beginners learn basic chess theory, game objectives, piece movement, game and tournament rules. Intermediates study chess analysis and decision-making, tactics, checkmate patterns and tournament strategies. Advanced students are taught more sophisticated chess techniques and decision-making, complex tactics, calculated and intuitive sacrifices, opening and endgame analysis.

Date and Time: 3rd camp session: June 10-14, 2024, 9am –4pm

Registration: To register, please register on Paragon Prep’s Summer Camp website. To find the camp listing, go to page 4. Paragon offers a 10% discount when you register 2 people.

Location:
Paragon Prep- new location!
7938 Great Northern Blvd
Austin, TX 78757

Questions:
Contact Paragon Prep Summer Programs (summer@paragonprep.com, 512-459-5040) if you have questions about registering for this event. Contact Gary gaiffe (ggaiffe@att.net) if you have questions about chess content.

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Joust 2024: A Casual Chess Event

The Santa Rita Knights Chess Club in Liberty Hill is organizing JOUST 2024! 
A casual chess event for players of all ages and levels to connect, compete for prizes and celebrate the game of chess! 
On Saturday, April 6, from 2 pm until 5 pm, there will be a continuous pyramid ladder tournament going on and lots of opportunity to hang out and play chess, together.
See our flyer and share it with your friends!
Location: 
Freestyle Community Center
75 Seward Junction Loop 
Liberty Hill, TX 78642
Free parking on the property 
Sections: 
It will be a casual, continuous pyramid ladder tournament. 
When registered, you’ll be placed in the pyramid. Throughout the event, you get to challenge a person from a rung above you. If you win that game, you switch places in the pyramid. 
Win your way to the top of the pyramid and compete for prizes! 
Time Control: 
We’ll play 10 minute games with a 5 second increment. 
No notation required. 
Schedule: 
The ladder tournament is continuous, you can play any time between 2 pm and 5 pm. 
If you leave early and get challenged, you’ll forfeit your position in the pyramid to the challenger. 
The event is set up as a casual event, we have fun and we are good sports. 
Entry fees:
$15 to register for the event. 
http://freestylesportstexas.as.me/registerforjoust2024

Prizes:
There will be trophies! Organizer is trying to work with local business to get fun prizes sponsored. 

Cancellation/withdrawal/no-show: 
No refunds. We insist on being great stewards of the game and create a safe, inviting environment for everyone. 

Questions:
Jasper Eden, jasper@freestylesportstexas.com
Santa Rita Knights on Facebook

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April Austin Monthly Scholastic – G/45 Sections

Rated 5SS in two sections (K-5 Championship and K-12 Elite) playing G/45, d5, offered by the Atlantic Chess Association on 4/20/2024. This event is limited to scholastic players. Limit 24 players pers section due to venue constraints. Read the description and register online: https://caissachess.net/online-registration/index/4073  

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

Sections

  • K-12 Elite
  • K-5 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/4074

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 3/31
$45 by 4/17
$50 on or after 4/18 (on-site registration closes 1 hour before Round 1).

Withdrawals requested via email before NOON on Friday 4/19/24 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/4073

Other Notes
This tournament is USCF-rated. Your USCF membership should not expire before 4/30/2024.

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.

View the ONLINE TLA!

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Oh Boy Records – Unrated Chess Tournament

Description:  Oh Boy Records is offering a Free chess tournament open to the public.  All abilities welcome – fun for all levels. Pre-Registration required. (Number of entries will affect time controls).  Door prizes awarded! See our event flyer!

Registration:
Please preregister so we know how many players to expect!

Location:
Hattie B’s
2529 S Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78704

Time:
Arrive by 9:45am
Expected play: 10am – approx 12 noon

More Details:
We’re a record label coming down to Austin for SXSW. I and a few of the artists on the label like to play chess, so we thought it would be fun to put on a little event 3/13. It’s free and open to the public, but you have to preregister.

We havea a legit tournament director (although our tournament will be unrated), who is also bringing a titled player that I’m hoping we can talk into doing a simultaneous exhibition. For prizes we’ll have stuff like gift cards to Hattie B’s, Waterloo Records etc.

We hope you will join us!

-Jody

Questions:
Contact Jody Whelan,chess@ohboy.com

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Open Section at the 2024 Spring Del Valle Scholastic Chess Tournament

USCF rated chess tournament on April 27, 2024 in SOUTH AUSTIN for adults and more advanced scholastic players. 4SS of G/45 +5.  Thank you for playing! Final Results and Awards are posted. The tournament has been rated by the USCF.

Verify your entry on the advance entry list.

Playing locations: Open section and K-12 Elite have been merged, and will play in room 137 (near the gym). Open plays for cash prizes and K-12 Elite plays for trophies.  Other U1000 scholastic sections will play in the gym.  Family/Friends wait in the cafeteria.

Concessions menu: Hot Dogs, Sausage Wraps, Frito Pie, Nachos, Chips, Sodas, Candy, Popcorn, Water, Powerade, and breakfast tacos.  You are also welcome to bring your own lunch and snacks.) Only water bottles allowed at the chess board.

Read the Full Player Reminders!  You are responsible for this information!1

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

Del Valle High School
5201 Ross Road
Del Valle, TX 78617

Eligibility

All adults
Any youth who have reached at least 1300 by the April 2024 USCF supplement.
Ineligible entries will be moved to the appropriate scholastic section of the 2024 Spring Del Valle 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 April 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 menu: Hot Dogs, Sausage Wraps, Frito Pie, Nachos, Chips, Sodas, Candy, Popcorn, Water, Powerade, and breakfast tacos.  You are also welcome to bring your own lunch and snacks.)  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. Registration is now closed.

*youth – $35/adult – $25 thru Saturday, 3/16/2024.
*youth – $40/adult – $30 thru Saturday, 4/13/2024
*Late entry youth-$50 / adult – $40 begins Sunday, 4/14/2024 and ENDS at 9am on Friday 4/26/24, at which time online entry closes.
*If space permits, onsite registration on Saturday, 4/27/24 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 9am on Friday 4/26/24 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 4/26/2024. 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 Spring Del Valle Scholastic Chess Tournament

Scholastic chess tournament in SOUTH AUSTIN in multiple sections to be held on April 27, 2024. G/25, +5 inc. Trophies and medals awarded. Linke here for Final Results and awards! The tournament has been rated by the USCF.

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

Playing locations, etc: K-12 U1000, K-5 U600, and K-3 U400 will all be playing in the gym. The K-12 Elite/Open section plays in room 137. The cafeteria has been reserved for waiting families, coaches, and friends.  No spectators allowed in the playing room during the tournament games.

Concessions menu: Hot Dogs, Sausage Wraps, Frito Pie, Nachos, Chips, Sodas, Candy, Popcorn, Water, Powerade, and breakfast tacos.  You are also welcome to bring your own lunch and snacks.) Only water bottles allowed a the chess board.

Read the Full Player Reminders! You are responsible for this information!

Basics

USCF rated chess tournament on April 27th in multiple RATED scholastic sections: K-3 U400, K-5 U600,  K-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 tournament basic pairings will be posted each round in print.  However, please review the ONLINE standings link for pairings, wall chart info and team standings.

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

Del Valle High School
5201 Ross Road
Del Valle, TX 78617

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, 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. (Sections in this event have changed from the original tournament listing.  Thank you for your patience.)

Please note: April 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 March 20th will not affect your April supplement rating, as those events takes place after April 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 (all in the gym):
round 1 – 9:00am
round 2 – 11:00am
free puzzle contest – 12:05pm
round 3 – 12:45 pm
round 4 – 2:30 pm
round 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 menu: Hot Dogs, Sausage Wraps, Frito Pie, Nachos, Chips, Sodas, Candy, Popcorn, Water, Powerade, and breakfast tacos.  You are also welcome to bring your own lunch and snacks.) Only water bottles allowed a the chess board.

Proper handwashing, please!

Awards

Link here to Final Results and 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. Trophies to top players in each section. 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

Registration is now closed.

*$35 thru Saturday, 3/16/2024.
*$40 thru Saturday, 4/13/2024.
*Late entry $50 begins Sunday, 4/14/2024 and ENDS at 9am on Friday, 4/26/2024, at which time online entry closes.
*$60 Onsite entry, if space is available . Receives 1/2pt bye in round 1, and begins play in round 2.

Withdrawals requested via email before 9am on Friday 4/26/24 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 4/26/2024. 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).

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ACC USCF Rated G/90 Standard Swiss

This slow swiss takes place over 4 weeks, with games on March 23, 30, April 6 and 13. G/90 with 30 sec. increment per move. 4 round Swiss. Sections dependent on turnout. EF: $20.00 all. Online registration and payment requested -link thru the tournament  description.

USCF membership must not expire before April 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 March 23rd. 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, March 30  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 March 16th 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 March 31, 2023. 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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ACC USCF Quick-rated G/24 Swiss

A one-day tournament on March 9th 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 March 31, 2023. 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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International Women’s Day: Texas Queens Chess Tournament

Calling all women and girls! The Austin Grandmaster Chess Academy is hosting a tournament to celebrate International Women’s Day.  With USCF Rated Tournament and non-rated sections available, this event will be held on March 09, 2024 from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.  USCF Membership required for rated play.   Capacity: 40 players!

LOCATION:
Austin Grandmaster Chess Academy
7801 North Lamar Blvd
Suite A123
Austin, TX 78752
Free parking provided!

TOURNAMENT STYLE:
5SS, G/15, +5 – Women and girls only!
SECTION A*: USCF rated
SECTION B: Unrated
*USCF MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED to play in Section A*

RATING INFORMATION:
● March 2024 official USCF ratings will be used.
● Unofficial USCF ratings will be used if unrated .
● Players in Section A 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.

●  1st round: 10:00 AM
●  2nd round: 10:40 AM
●  3rd round: 1:20 AM
●  Lunch break: 12:00 PM
●  4th round: 12:30 PM.
●  5th round: 1:10 PM.
●  Closing ceremony: After the last game finishes – around 2pm.
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. Any violators may be subject to disqualification and forfeiture.

ENTRY FEES:
● Register at https://austin-chess.com/tournaments/women-day/ 
●  The tournament is free of charge and open the first 40 entries.
For additional questions, please contact us at info@austin-chess.com
Link for registration: https://austin-chess.com/tournaments/women-day/

PRIZES:
●  Section A: gift cards and other prizes to the top 3 finishers
●  Section B: gift cards and other prizes to the top 3 finishers
Sponsor: Kendra Scott

CANCELLATION POLICY: If you do not wish to participate in our tournament after registering, please email us at info@austin-chess.com asap so we can offer your spot to the next player in line!

WITHDRAWAL POLICY: If you would like to withdraw from the tournament after it begins, please alert the tournament director. 

Please contact us at info@austin-chess.com for any additional questions or concerns.