Tag: scholastic

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2025 TCA North Texas Scholastic Championship

An in person, 7 round USCF USCF rated chess tournament on the weekend of February 28 – March 2, 2025 for scholastic players in grades K thru 12 who live in Texas.
Register online!

View the Advance Entry List!

Where
The Vista
(formerly Vista Ridge or Music City Mall)
2401 S. Stemmons Freeway
Lewisville, TX 75067

Seating for Parents, Coaches, and Players between rounds:  The Vista is a large mall however tables and chairs are very limited.  You can bring you own chairs such as lawn chairs ect.  There is ample room in mall but seating directly outside the playing hall is prohibited.

Hotel Information:  TownPlace Suites – 731 E. Vista Ridge Mall Drive, Lewisville, TX  75067
Book your group rate for Tarrant County Chess Club

Who is eligible to play:
This event is open ONLY to students attending Texas Schools, including home schoolers residing in Texas. 
All players in this event must be in 12th grade (or lower).

All players must have a current USCF ID and your membership (can be purchased/renewed at check out or online with the USCF in advance of registration). Your membership may not expire before March 31, 2025. 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.

Sections
This event offers 11 rated sections: (February 2023 ratings used)
Choose your section based upon your grade level. There is no ‘playing up’. Review the TCA rules for section placement.

 

  • “Championship” sections are open to all players, including Unrated, with the grades specified.  JV and Novice sections are only open to those with established or provisional US Chess ratings below that threshold, including Unrated.
  • Ratings for pairings and section purposes are according to US Chess  Regular over the board ratings, using the US Chess February 2025 Rating Supplement. This event will be US Chess regular rated after it concludes.
  • Students may play only in a Championship or Under section allowed by their grade and rating.  That means that a K or 1st grade student, for example, may play in K-1, K-3 or K-5 sections.  Students in 5th grade or below cannot play in sections higher than a K-5. Students in 6th through 8th grade can only play in 6-8 Section and, likewise, students in 9th through 12 grade can only play in 9-12 sections.
  • If a player does not have an established US Chess rating in the February 2025 Rating Supplement (and is therefore “unrated”), then he/she may play in any section allowed for his/her grade.
  • The tournament staff will have discretion over section placement.

Schedule – 7 rounds
Round 1 – 7pm, Friday, February 28th
Rounds 2, 3,4 & 5 – 9am, 12 pm, 3pm, 6pm, Saturday, March 1st
Rounds  6, & 7 – 9am, 12 pm, Sunday, March 2nd
High School and Middle School Championship G/75;d5, All other sections G/60;d5

Awards
Awards to the top 8 individuals and the top 4 teams in each of the 11 sections.

The top finisher in each Championship section will be named 2025 State Champion for that section!

Scholarship money for the top  winner in the High School Championship section.

The top player(s) in all Championships vie for the opportunity to represent Texas in National tournaments!

Registration and information
Register, request or renew a USCF membership (optional if not expired!) and pay online. The entry fee is $45 before February 8th. $52 before February 22nd. $65 before February 27th or $75 onsite.

Visit the event website for the online registration link  and more info. Contact the organizer ( tcrane5000@gmail.com, 817-296-4287) for instructions on how to submit group/bulk school entries.

A side – ‘unrated’ event will be offered on Saturday, March 1st. Only students who have NEVER had a USCF membership are eligible to participate in the unrated event.  Unrated Event Website

2025 TCA North Texas State Scholastic Championship Online TLA!

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MLK Day Scholastic Tournament

Rated 5SS in four sections (K-3, K-5, K-8, K-12) playing G/30, d5, offered by the Atlantic Chess Association on Monday, 1/20/2025 at their MLK Open in Houston.

Read the description and register online: https://caissachess.net/online-registration/index/5506

Location
Crowne Plaza Houston Galleria
7611 Katy Freeway
Houston, Texas 77024

Sections

  • K-12
  • K-8
  • K-5
  • K-3

We reserve the right to merge sections if there are too few partipants in a section.

Schedule
FIVE Rounds at a time control of G/30, d5

Round One: 9:00 AM
Next round as soon as all games in a section finish.

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
$45 by 12/22/2024
$50 by 1/5/2025
$55 by 1/15/2025
$60 on or after 1/16 (on-site registration closes 30 minutes before Round 1).

Withdrawals requested via email before NOON on Friday 1/19/2025 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/5506

Other Notes
This tournament is USCF-rated. Your USCF membership should not expire before 1/31/2025.

Boards and pieces will be provided, but please bring your chess clock.

Questions
Please contact director@atlanticchessassociation.com if you have any questions.

Online TLA!

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Austin Chess Tour 2: Junior Qualifier #5

The Austin Grandmaster Chess Academy is hosting a Junior (Scholastic) USCF Rated Tournament on May 3, 2025 from 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM.  USCF Membership required.   Capacity: 80 players!

LOCATION:
Austin Grandmaster Chess Academy
12466 Los Indios Trail, Ste 100
Austin, TX 78729
Free parking provided!

TOURNAMENT STYLE:
Time controls and number of sections determined by section
All players will be divided into 5 sections:
SECTION A:  1600 + USCF rated
SECTION B:  1200 – 1599 USCF rated
SECTION C:  800 – 1199  USCF rated
SECTION D:  400 – 700 USCF rated
SECTION D:  Under 400 USCF rated or unrated
**Players are not allowed to play up or down**
*USCF MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED*

RATING INFORMATION:
● January 2025 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.

Section A (all rounds G/60, d5)
●  1st round: 10:00 AM
●  2nd round: 12:15 AM
●  Lunch break: 2:30 – 3:30 PM
●  3rd round: 3:30 PM
●  4th round: 5:45 PM

Sections B & C (all rounds G/45, d5)
●  1st round: 10:00 AM
●  2nd round: 11:45 AM
●  Lunch break: 1:30 – 2:30 PM
●  3rd round: 2:30 PM
●  4th round: 4:15 PM

Sections D & E (all rounds G/30, d5)
●  1st round: 10:00 AM
●  2nd round: 11:15 AM
●  3rd round: 12:30 PM
●  Lunch break: 1:30 – 2:30 PM
●  4th round: 2:30 PM
●  5th round: 3:45 PM

●  Closing ceremony for any section takes place after the last game finishes for that section.
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: $40  by April 27th at 11:59 pm.
●  $50 on or after April 28th (if space is available)
For additional questions, please contact us at info@austin-chess.com
Link for registration:  https://austin-chess.com/tournaments/act-2-junior-qualifier-5/

PRIZES:
●  1st place (in each section) : Trophy
●  2nd & 3rd place (in each section): medal

JUNIOR QUALIFIER POINTS:
1st Place: 25 JQ Points
2nd Place: 18 JQ Points
3rd Place: 15 JQ Points
4th Place: 12 JQ Points
5th Place: 10 JQ Points
6th Place: 8 JQ Points
7th Place: 6 JQ Points
8th Place: 4 JQ Points
9th Place: 2 JQ Points
10th Place: 1 JQ Points

For more information about the point system, visit https://austin-chess.com/tournaments/

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. 

Posted on by

Austin Chess Tour 2: Junior Qualifier #4

The Austin Grandmaster Chess Academy is hosting a Junior (Scholastic) USCF Rated Tournament on April 5, 2025 from 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM.  USCF Membership required.   Capacity: 80 players!

LOCATION:
Austin Grandmaster Chess Academy
12466 Los Indios Trail, Ste 100
Austin, TX 78729
Free parking provided!

TOURNAMENT STYLE:
Time controls and number of sections determined by section
All players will be divided into 5 sections:
SECTION A:  1600 + USCF rated
SECTION B:  1200 – 1599 USCF rated
SECTION C:  800 – 1199  USCF rated
SECTION D:  400 – 700 USCF rated
SECTION D:  Under 400 USCF rated or unrated
**Players are not allowed to play up or down**
*USCF MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED*

RATING INFORMATION:
● April 2025 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.

Section A (all rounds G/60, d5)
●  1st round: 10:00 AM
●  2nd round: 12:15 AM
●  Lunch break: 2:30 – 3:30 PM
●  3rd round: 3:30 PM
●  4th round: 5:45 PM

Sections B & C (all rounds G/45, d5)
●  1st round: 10:00 AM
●  2nd round: 11:45 AM
●  Lunch break: 1:30 – 2:30 PM
●  3rd round: 2:30 PM
●  4th round: 4:15 PM

Sections D & E (all rounds G/30, d5)
●  1st round: 10:00 AM
●  2nd round: 11:15 AM
●  3rd round: 12:30 PM
●  Lunch break: 1:30 – 2:30 PM
●  4th round: 2:30 PM
●  5th round: 3:45 PM

●  Closing ceremony for any section takes place after the last game finishes for that section.
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: $40  by  March 30th at 11:59 pm.
●  $50 on or after March 31st (if space is available)
For additional questions, please contact us at info@austin-chess.com
Link for registration:  https://austin-chess.com/tournaments/act-2-junior-qualifier-4/

PRIZES:
●  1st place (in each section) : Trophy
●  2nd & 3rd place (in each section): medal

JUNIOR QUALIFIER POINTS:
1st Place: 25 JQ Points
2nd Place: 18 JQ Points
3rd Place: 15 JQ Points
4th Place: 12 JQ Points
5th Place: 10 JQ Points
6th Place: 8 JQ Points
7th Place: 6 JQ Points
8th Place: 4 JQ Points
9th Place: 2 JQ Points
10th Place: 1 JQ Points

For more information about the point system, visit https://austin-chess.com/tournaments/

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. 

Posted on by

Austin Chess Tour 2: Junior Qualifier #3

The Austin Grandmaster Chess Academy is hosting a Junior (Scholastic) USCF Rated Tournament on March 1, 2025 from 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM.  USCF Membership required.   Capacity: 80 players!

LOCATION:
Austin Grandmaster Chess Academy
12466 Los Indios Trail, Ste 100
Austin, TX 78729
Free parking provided!

TOURNAMENT STYLE:
Time controls and number of sections determined by section
All players will be divided into 5 sections:
SECTION A:  1600 + USCF rated
SECTION B:  1200 – 1599 USCF rated
SECTION C:  800 – 1199  USCF rated
SECTION D:  400 – 700 USCF rated
SECTION D:  Under 400 USCF rated or unrated
**Players are not allowed to play up or down**
*USCF MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED*

RATING INFORMATION:
● March 2025 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.

Section A (all rounds G/60, d5)
●  1st round: 10:00 AM
●  2nd round: 12:15 AM
●  Lunch break: 2:30 – 3:30 PM
●  3rd round: 3:30 PM
●  4th round: 5:45 PM

Sections B & C (all rounds G/45, d5)
●  1st round: 10:00 AM
●  2nd round: 11:45 AM
●  Lunch break: 1:30 – 2:30 PM
●  3rd round: 2:30 PM
●  4th round: 4:15 PM

Sections D & E (all rounds G/30, d5)
●  1st round: 10:00 AM
●  2nd round: 11:15 AM
●  3rd round: 12:30 PM
●  Lunch break: 1:30 – 2:30 PM
●  4th round: 2:30 PM
●  5th round: 3:45 PM

●  Closing ceremony for any section takes place after the last game finishes for that section.
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: $40  by February 23rd at 11:59 pm.
●  $50 on or after February 24th (if space is available)
For additional questions, please contact us at info@austin-chess.com
Link for registration:  https://austin-chess.com/tournaments/act-2-junior-qualifier-3/

PRIZES:
●  1st place (in each section) : Trophy
●  2nd & 3rd place (in each section): medal

JUNIOR QUALIFIER POINTS:
1st Place: 25 JQ Points
2nd Place: 18 JQ Points
3rd Place: 15 JQ Points
4th Place: 12 JQ Points
5th Place: 10 JQ Points
6th Place: 8 JQ Points
7th Place: 6 JQ Points
8th Place: 4 JQ Points
9th Place: 2 JQ Points
10th Place: 1 JQ Points

For more information about the point system, visit https://austin-chess.com/tournaments/

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. 

Posted on by

Austin Chess Tour 2: Junior Qualifier #2

The Austin Grandmaster Chess Academy is hosting a Junior (Scholastic) USCF Rated Tournament on February 1, 2025 from 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM.  USCF Membership required.   Capacity: 80 players!

LOCATION:
Austin Grandmaster Chess Academy
12466 Los Indios Trail, Ste 100
Austin, TX 78729
Free parking provided!

TOURNAMENT STYLE:
Time controls and number of sections determined by section
All players will be divided into 5 sections:
SECTION A:  1600 + USCF rated
SECTION B:  1200 – 1599 USCF rated
SECTION C:  800 – 1199  USCF rated
SECTION D:  400 – 700 USCF rated
SECTION D:  Under 400 USCF rated or unrated
**Players are not allowed to play up or down**
*USCF MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED*

RATING INFORMATION:
● February 2025 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.

Section A (all rounds G/60, d5)
●  1st round: 10:00 AM
●  2nd round: 12:15 AM
●  Lunch break: 2:30 – 3:30 PM
●  3rd round: 3:30 PM
●  4th round: 5:45 PM

Sections B & C (all rounds G/45, d5)
●  1st round: 10:00 AM
●  2nd round: 11:45 AM
●  Lunch break: 1:30 – 2:30 PM
●  3rd round: 2:30 PM
●  4th round: 4:15 PM

Sections D & E (all rounds G/30, d5)
●  1st round: 10:00 AM
●  2nd round: 11:15 AM
●  3rd round: 12:30 PM
●  Lunch break: 1:30 – 2:30 PM
●  4th round: 2:30 PM
●  5th round: 3:45 PM

●  Closing ceremony for any section takes place after the last game finishes for that section.
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: $40  by January 26th at 11:59 pm.
●  $50 on or after January 27th (if space is available)
For additional questions, please contact us at info@austin-chess.com
Link for registration:  https://austin-chess.com/tournaments/act-2-junior-qualifier-2/

PRIZES:
●  1st place (in each section) : Trophy
●  2nd & 3rd place (in each section): medal

JUNIOR QUALIFIER POINTS:
1st Place: 25 JQ Points
2nd Place: 18 JQ Points
3rd Place: 15 JQ Points
4th Place: 12 JQ Points
5th Place: 10 JQ Points
6th Place: 8 JQ Points
7th Place: 6 JQ Points
8th Place: 4 JQ Points
9th Place: 2 JQ Points
10th Place: 1 JQ Points

For more information about the point system, visit https://austin-chess.com/tournaments/

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. 

Posted on by

Austin Chess Tour 2: Junior Qualifier #1

The Austin Grandmaster Chess Academy is hosting a Junior (Scholastic) USCF Rated Tournament on January 11, 2025 from 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM.  USCF Membership required.   Capacity: 80 players!

LOCATION:
Austin Grandmaster Chess Academy
12466 Los Indios Trail, Ste 100
Austin, TX 78729
Free parking provided!

TOURNAMENT STYLE:
Time controls and number of sections determined by section
All players will be divided into 5 sections:
SECTION A:  1600 + USCF rated
SECTION B:  1200 – 1599 USCF rated
SECTION C:  800 – 1199  USCF rated
SECTION D:  400 – 700 USCF rated
SECTION D:  Under 400 USCF rated or unrated
**Players are not allowed to play up or down**
*USCF MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED*

RATING INFORMATION:
● January 2025 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.

Section A (all rounds G/60, d5)
●  1st round: 10:00 AM
●  2nd round: 12:15 AM
●  Lunch break: 2:30 – 3:30 PM
●  3rd round: 3:30 PM
●  4th round: 5:45 PM

Sections B & C (all rounds G/45, d5)
●  1st round: 10:00 AM
●  2nd round: 11:45 AM
●  Lunch break: 1:30 – 2:30 PM
●  3rd round: 2:30 PM
●  4th round: 4:15 PM

Sections D & E (all rounds G/30, d5)
●  1st round: 10:00 AM
●  2nd round: 11:15 AM
●  3rd round: 12:30 PM
●  Lunch break: 1:30 – 2:30 PM
●  4th round: 2:30 PM
●  5th round: 3:45 PM

●  Closing ceremony for any section takes place after the last game finishes for that section.
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: $40  by January 5th at 11:59 pm.
●  $50 on or after January 6th (if space is available)
For additional questions, please contact us at info@austin-chess.com
Link for registration:  https://austin-chess.com/tournaments/act-2-junior-qualifier-1/

PRIZES:
●  1st place (in each section) : Trophy
●  2nd & 3rd place (in each section): medal

JUNIOR QUALIFIER POINTS:
1st Place: 25 JQ Points
2nd Place: 18 JQ Points
3rd Place: 15 JQ Points
4th Place: 12 JQ Points
5th Place: 10 JQ Points
6th Place: 8 JQ Points
7th Place: 6 JQ Points
8th Place: 4 JQ Points
9th Place: 2 JQ Points
10th Place: 1 JQ Points

For more information about the point system, visit https://austin-chess.com/tournaments/

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. 

Online TLA

Posted on by

Leander Winter 2025 Scholastic Tournament

Scholastic chess tournament in multiple sections at the Leander Public Library on January 11, 2025. 
Tournament capped at 48 students! Tournament will likely fill up, so register ASAP! Once the tournament fills up, reach out to danielhung@utexas.edu if interested in getting on the waitlist.

Location

Leander Public Library
Library Annex
1101 S Bagdad Rd
Leander, TX 78641

Free parking onsite!

The tournament is held in the Library Annex (the building closer to the parking lot upon parking – to your  left)

Sections

Sections determined by number of entries. 
View prior tournament results for an idea of  section splits!

Schedule

No check in required. Be seated at 12:50PM for announcements.

Five rounds, with estimated start times of 1PM, 2PM, 3PM, 4PM, and 5PM.
Subsequent round as soon as the previous round finishes and the next is paired. Be ready to play!

 
Time Control: G25/d5
USCF regular/quick rated 

Awards

Trophy for first place, medals for positive score, ribbon for everyone else.

Registration Information

Click HERE for full tournament description and to register!

  • Super Early Bird $25 before noon December 25, 2024
  • Early Bird $30 before noon January 1, 2025
  • Regular Entry $35 before noon January 7, 2025
  • Late Entry $40 before noon January 11, 2025 if there are any spots available

Payment Methods

Payment via Venmo is preferred (Daniel-Hung-3), zelle (danielhung@utexas.edu or 956-639-5311) (legal name for both Daniel Flood). Pay before the above deadlines to lock in your price and registration. 

What to Bring and Know

  • Please bring a clock and chess set if you have one!
  • US Chess Membership is required. Please be responsible for your membership prior to the event to help the organizers and prevent delays.
  • Notation is required.  Notation sheets will be available if needed, but please bring a pencil or pen. Strongly encouraged to bring your own notation book/sheets. 

Additional Rules

No parents allowed in the playing room.

Parents and players that are done with their game should remain at the main library building. Only drinks allowed in the playing hall. Food must be consumed outside. 

Questions

Please contact me at danielhung@utexas.edu with any questions.

Online TLA!

Posted on by

Paragon Prep January 2025 Scholastic Tournament

Another Rocks & Rooks scholastic chess tournament in multiple sections on January 25, 2025.  All sections are G/25, +5.  Trophies and medals awarded top individuals AND teams! A tournament for adults and youth rated 1000+ offered as well! 

Online Registration is now open!

Verify your entry on the advance entry list.

Basics

USCF rated chess tournament on January 25th in multiple RATED scholastic sections: K-3 U400, K-5 U600, K-5 U1000, 6-12 U600, and 6-12 U1000. Please note: all scholastic players rated 1000 and over must play in the Open or K-12 Elite sections. View the Advance Entry 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 U400 section is excused from taking notation. Please review the Parent/Coach Responsibilities before registering.

Location

Paragon Prep
7944 Great Northern Boulevard
Austin, TX 78757

Chess play will take place in classrooms in the Elementary Building on Great Northern. Review a map of campus.

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, 2025. 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 U400 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.

Please note: January 2025 ‘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 December 18th will not affect your January supplement rating, as those events takes place after January 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 (space permitting), but will begin play in round 2.
8:30 a.m Announcements begin in all scholastic playing rooms.
Players and coaches should be present.
8:45 a.m. K-12 Elite (different event for advanced youth. 5SS, all rounds are are G/40, +5.) begins.
9:00 a.m. Rd 1 for all Scholastic ‘under’ sections begins. Scholastic sections have 5 rds, G/25, +5.
9:15 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:
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 details coming soon. 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, Siblings, Parents, Grandparents, or coach paired with at least one scholastic aged player.)

Registration Information

Entry fee pricing is staggered and based on date of entry/payment. Regular Online Registration closes at 5pm on 1/23/2025!   

*$40 thru Wednesday, 12/25/2024
*$45 thru Wednesday, 01/15/2025
*$50 thru  Thursday 01/23/25 5pm, at which time online entry closes.
*$60 Late entry, if space is available. Link will be available from the time regular online entry closes thru 9:30am Saturday 1/25/2025.  All late entries receive a 1/2pt bye in round 1, and begins play in round 2.

Withdrawals requested via email before midnight on Wednesday, 1/22/2025 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 1/24/2025. All 1/2-point byes must be requested/removed before the end of round 2.

Questions

If you do not find the answer to your question after reading the tournament description and FAQ list, please email Lori Balkum, registrar (registrar@AustinChessTournaments.com). 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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San Antonio Scholastic

Rated 5SS in four sections (K-3, K-5, K-8, K-12) playing G/30, d5, offered by the Atlantic Chess Association on  Sunday, 11/10/2024. This event is limited to scholastic players. Read the description and register online: https://caissachess.net/online-registration/index/5249

Location
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham
San Antonio Riverwalk
303 Blum St
San Antonio, TX 78205

Sections

  • K-12
  • K-8
  • K-5
  • K-3

We reserve the right to merge sections if there are too few partipants in a section.

Schedule
FIVE Rounds at a time control of G/30, d5

  • Onsite registration : BEFORE 7:00 AM
    No check-in necessary if you have pre-registered.
  • Round One: 8:00 AM
  • Round Two: 9:15 AM
  • Round Three: 10:30 AM 
  • Round Four: 11:45 AM 
  • Round Five: 1:00 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
$45 by 10/31
$50 by 11/06
$55 on or after 11/07 (on-site registration closes 1 hour before Round 1).

Withdrawals requested via email before NOON on Friday 11/08/24 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/5249

Other Notes
This tournament is USCF-rated. Your USCF membership should not expire before 11/30/2024.

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.

Online TLA!