August 17th Scholastic chess tournament, two sections (K-6 U600, K-12 U1000). G/30, 5 second delay. Trophies and medals awarded. Limited to the first 45 players (combined section count). We will open a waiting list if registrations exceed capacity.
Verify your entry on the Advance Entry (Pre-registration) list .
Basics
USCF rated chess tournament on August 17th in two RATED scholastic sections: K-6 U600 and K-12 U1000. Please note: grade level is base on the grade you are entering in the fall 2024. View the Advance Entry List 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. Please review the Parent/Coach Responsibilities before registering
Location
Austin Southpark Hotel
specific room TBD
4140 Governors Row
Austin, TX 78744
This event is held in a different room from the weekend long Summer Open.
Eligibility
All players in this event must be in 12th grade (or lower) as of the fall 2024.
All players must be rated UNDER 1000 in the August Supplement (new scholastic players ok). “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.)
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 August 31, 2024. USCF memberships can be renewed/purchased at check-out. All players must be FULL USCF members (JTP ID’s need to be renewed to full membership).
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!
Onsite registrations accepted by 10:30am if space available, but must start play in round 2.
9:40 a.m Announcements begin in the scholastic playing room.
Players should be present; parents ok.
10:00am Rd 1 begins (NO spectators). Both scholastic sections have 5 rds, G/30, d5.
9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Info desk open for event issues. No changes for round 1 (bye or section) allowed after online registration closes. Requests for byes, withdrawals, and player 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
Both Scholastic Sections:
rd 1 – 10:00am, rd 2 – 11:30am, lunch break, rd 3 – 1:30 pm, rd 4 – 2:45 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!
Only water bottles allowed at the chess board.
No concessions will be served on-site by the organizer. However, there is a small store with sandwiches, coffee, etc. You may bring food into the hotel to eat in lobby areas.
Awards
Trophies & Medals to Top Contenders!
Trophies to the top individuals in each scholastic section. Number of trophies will depend on number of entries. Chess medals will go to all players that finish the tournament with a positive score (3.0 & 3.5 points) who do not win a trophy.
Registration Information
- $35 if received by Friday, 05/31/2024, 11:59pm CST
- $40 if received by Sunday, 07/07/2024, 11:59pm CST
- $45 thru the Wednesday before the tournament (8/14/24), 11:59pm CST
- $50 thru the Thursday before the tournament (8/15/24), 11:59pm CST OR onsite, IF space available. Any registrations made after Friday 8/16/2024 8:00pm receive a 1st round bye.
Withdrawal with refund available if requested by 7pm on Friday one week before the event (8/09/2024). After that time, no refunds. NO EXCEPTIONS. Any refunds will incur a $10 processing and transaction fee. No refunds for USCF memberships after purchased from the USCF. NO email/phone entries.
If you register for this event and your August Supplement rating is above 999, you have two choices. You can be withdrawn from this event and your entry fee refunded based on the refund schedule above OR you may transfer your FULL entry fee to the Summer Open weekend long event. Contact the registrar for a coupon code.
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 8am Friday 8/16/2024. All 1/2-point byes must be requested/removed before the end of round 2.
Players who qualify for this tournament may participate in BOTH the Summer Open and play all rounds in the Saturday Scholastic by requesting a bye in the Summer Open 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).