Registration is now closed. USCF rated chess tournament for adults and more advanced scholastic players (rated 1200 and above). View the preregistration list here.
Tournament Day Links
Maps: Campus Map – – Grammar Building Floor Plan
Pairings, wall charts, and standings: all sections
Reminder Emails: OPEN
**please note – because section counts are variable due to registrations and withdrawals, locations may change due to size constraints**
NEW!!!
Following the award ceremony, GM Vladimir Belous, the 2021 US Class Champion, will be hosting a short lecture and a simultaneous exhibition. The simul is open to any parent/relative/coach that is playing in the event, or has a child playing in the event, or ANY child for a cost of $10. A commemorative notation sheet will be given to all participants and signed by GM Belous at the finish of their game.
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.
Location
Regents School of Austin
3230 Travis Country Circle
Austin, Texas 78735
Parents may wait in the cafeteria. Open section chess play will take place in the Rhetoric building library. No specators, please.
Eligibility
All adults
Any youth who have reached 1200 at some point in their ratings’ history.
Ineligible entries will be moved to the appropriate scholastic section of the 2022 Winter Scholastic at Regents School. 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, 2022. 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. Onsite registrations only at the discretion of the open section TD. Register online!.
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 will be provided by Regents School. Coolers welcome. Only water bottles allowed at the chess board.
COVID-19 protocols are set based on the Travis County Stage of COVID-19. As of January 15th, Travis county is at Stage 5. Facemasks are required. Players are asked to wash hands frequently and use common sense. If you’re not feeling well or have been exposed to COVID-19 in the 14 days preceding the event, please do not attend. All pairings and wall charts will be posted online only to avoid crowding. If Austin-Travis County is reduced to Stage 3 by the time of the event, facemasks will become optional. Proper handwashing and adherence to exposure guidelines are always in force!
Awards
Cash prizes, based on number of entries. Special trophies will be awarded to the highest scoring Parent & Child teams.
Registration Information
Entry fee pricing is staggered and based on date of entry/payment. Online registration is closed.
*Early entry (youth $25, adult $20) thru Saturday, 11/27/2021.
*Regular entry (youth $30, adult $25) thru Saturday, 01/15/2022.
*Late entry (youth $40, adult $35) begins Sunday, 01/16/2022 and ENDS at NOON on Thursday 01/27/2022, at which time online entry closes.
*If space permits, onsite registration will be permitted, $50 regardless of age. Cash preferred. First round play requires registration before 8:45am.
Withdrawals requested before Thursday, 01/27/2022 are eligible for a refund (minus a $5 service fee). No refunds for USCF memberships after purchased from the USCF. NO email/phone entries.
Email Lori Balkum, registrar with other questions. No phone calls, please. Emails will be returned promptly.
Organized by Rocks & Rooks. Gary Gaiffe, tournament organizer.