Category: Past Events

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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. 

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Austin Grandmaster Chess Academy April Swiss

The Austin Grandmaster Chess Academy is hosting an Open USCF Rated Tournament on April 27, 2024 from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM.  USCF Membership required.   Capacity: 52 players!

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

TOURNAMENT STYLE:
4SS, G/40, d5
SECTION A: 1600 + USCF rated
SECTION B: 1000 – 1400 USCF rated and/or unrated.
SECTION C: Under 1000 USCF rated
**Players rated 900 – 999 may play Section B or C**
**Players rated 1500 – 1599 may play Section A or B**
*USCF MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED*

RATING INFORMATION:
● April 2024 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.

●  1st round: 10:00 AM
●  2nd round: 11:30 AM
●  Lunch break: 1:00 PM
●  3rd round: 2:00 PM.
●  4th round: 3:30 PM.
●  Closing ceremony: After the last game finishes.
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:
●  Early Bird: $50 online at https://austin-chess.com/tournaments/uscf-rated-april/ by April 13th at 11:59 pm.
●  $65 on or after April 14th  via PayPal or cash (if space is available)
For additional questions, please contact us at info@austin-chess.com
Link for registration: https://austin-chess.com/tournaments/uscf-rated-april/

PRIZES:
●  1600+ section : $400, $150, $100
●  1000 – 1600: $150, $100, $50
●  U1000: medals
First 5 players above 1900 USCF to register get a minimum guaranteed prize of $75 if they finish all their games.

CANCELLATION POLICY: If you do not wish to participate in our tournament after paying the entry fee, please email us at info@austin-chess.com no later than 24 hours in advance.  We reserve the right to charge a $15 service fee for cancellations.  NO refunds will be issued if we are notified of cancellation within 24 hours of the start of the event.

WITHDRAWAL POLICY: If you would like to withdraw from the tournament after it begins, please alert the tournament director. 
NO refunds will be issued after the tournament begins. 

NO-SHOW POLICY: There are NO refunds or credit for players who do not show up for their scheduled tournament matches.

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

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Austin Grandmaster Chess Academy Monthly Quad Tournament (March)

The Austin Grandmaster Chess Academy is hosting USCF Rated 3 round Quads on 3 consecutive Wednesday evenings: March 6th, 13th, and 20th. Capacity: 48 players!

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

SECTIONS:
Players will be placed into groups of four (QUADS)  based on rating starting from the highest rated. Quads are non-elimination, and each player will play everyone in their group for a total of three games. (Round Robin Pairings)

(Last group may have 4 or 6 players and will use swiss-system if 6 players are present)

**Note that no player will be allowed to play up or down**

TIME CONTROL:
G/60, +30 (60 minutes per player with a 30-second increment)

3-Round Round-Robin System Schedule
1st round: 6:00 PM March 6th
2nd round: 6:00 PM March 13th
3rd round: 6:00 PM March 20th
Closing ceremony: After the last game finishes.

PLAYERS MAY NOT POSSESS CELL PHONES DURING THE TOURNAMENT. Any violators may be subject to disqualification and forfeiture.

ENTRY FEES:
●  Online: $50 at https://austin-chess.com/tournaments/quad_tournament_march/  by March 5th at 11:59 pm.
For additional questions, please contact us at info@austin-chess.com
Link for registration: https://austin-chess.com/tournaments/quad_tournament_march/

PRIZES:
●  $100 for 1st place in each quad

CANCELLATION POLICY: If you do not wish to participate in our tournament after paying the entry fee, please email us at info@austin-chess.com no later than 24 hours in advance for a $35 refund. We reserve the right to charge a $15 service fee for cancellations. 

WITHDRAWAL POLICY: If you would like to withdraw from the tournament after it begins, please alert the tournament director and sign a withdrawal form in the lobby prior to leaving the premises. 
NO refunds will be issued after the tournament begins. 

NO-SHOW POLICY: There are NO refunds or credit for players who do not show up for their scheduled tournament matches.

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

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2024 NYOS Summer Chess Camp

SAVE THE DATE!

Description: A full day, week-long chess camp hosted by NYOS Charter School.  Located on the north side of Austin, the camp is open to all scholastic chess players, and is run by Mr. Gary Gaiffe. Great price for a full week of learning and fun!

Campers will be broken into skill level groups.  Different topics will be covered depending on which group the camper is in.  From tactics to positional play, game analysis to variant play, the camp will be both instructional and entertaining.  The final day will include a camp-wide tournament.

Dates and Times:  July 15-19; 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Location:           
NYOS Charter School
12301 N. Lamar Blvd.
Austin, TX 78753

Registration and Payment information:  View or download the camp flyer and camp registration form!

Questions:  Contact Gary Gaiffe at ggaiffe@att.net or 512-426-7841

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Mathnasium Summer Chess Camp #5 – Fantastic Finales

Description: A full-day, week-long chess camp, hosted by the Cedar Park Mathnasium from August 5-9, 2024.  Featuring Certified National Master Paul Chaplin. All scholastic players are invited to register!

Each camp features five exciting days of an immersive chess environment and a fun-filled focus on a special featurette highlight (description below). Chess Camps hosted by Mathnasium are engaging and fun! Sign up early for lowest fees! Limited attendance – first come first served!  For more information, link to the the camp website.

Fantastic Finales: Game ending crescendos and on-point techniques are investigated. Middlegames and endgames are served up with clarity — reminding us of a famous Lasker quote, “The hardest game to win is a won game”.

Date and Time: 5th camp session: August 5-9, 2024, 8am – 3pm

Registration: To register, please fill out the registration form. Instructions for turning in the registration form and making payment are on the form.

Location:
Cedar Park Mathnasium
13010 W. Parmer Lane, Ste #100
Cedar Park, TX 78613

Questions:
Contact Cedar Park Mathnasium (greg.pratt@mathnasium.com, 512-869-6284) if you have questions about registering for this event. Contact Paul Chaplin (pschaplin@sbcglobal.net) if you have questions about chess content.

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Mathnasium Summer Chess Camp #4 – World Class Chess

Description: A full-day, week-long chess camp, hosted by the Cedar Park Mathnasium from July 22-26, 2024.  Featuring Certified National Master Paul Chaplin. All scholastic players are invited to register!

Each camp features five exciting days of an immersive chess environment and a fun-filled focus on a special featurette highlight (description below). Chess Camps hosted by Mathnasium are engaging and fun! Sign up early for lowest fees! Limited attendance – first come first served!  For more information, link to the the camp website.

World Class Chess: Historic titans and current digital-era chess maestros will be studied to inspire and amaze the students! Games selected  span 150+ years and feature players such as Morphy, Capablanca, Fischer, Kasparov, and, of course… Carlsen! 

Date and Time: 4th camp session: July 22-26, 2024, 8am – 3pm

Registration: To register, please fill out the registration form. Instructions for turning in the registration form and making payment are on the form.

Location:
Cedar Park Mathnasium
13010 W. Parmer Lane, Ste #100
Cedar Park, TX 78613

Questions:
Contact Cedar Park Mathnasium (greg.pratt@mathnasium.com, 512-869-6284) if you have questions about registering for this event. Contact Paul Chaplin (pschaplin@sbcglobal.net) if you have questions about chess content.