We are hosting an In-Person USCF Rated Scholastic Tournament on April 4, 2026. USCF Membership required. Capacity: 100 players!
Top 10 places in Section A will earn Junior Qualifier Points – see https://austin-chess.com/tournaments/ for information about the points system.
LOCATION:
Austin Grandmaster Chess Academy
12466 Los Indios Trail, Suite 100
Austin, TX 78729
Free parking provided!
TOURNAMENT STYLE:
SECTION A: 1600+ USCF rating
SECTION B: 1200 – 1599 USCF rating
SECTION C: 800 – 1199 USCF rating
SECTION D: 400 – 799 USCF rating
SECTION E: Under 400 USCF rating and/or unrated.
*Players are not allowed to play up or down*
Time Controls:
Section A: G/60, d5 (60 minutes per player with a 5-second delay)
Section B: G/60, d5 (60 minutes per player with a 5-second delay)
Section C: G/45, d5 (45 minutes per player with a 5-second delay)
Section D: G/30, d5 (30 minutes per player with a 5-second delay)
Section E: G/30, d5 (30 minutes per player with a 5-second delay)
4 or 5 Round Swiss System Schedule, depending on section
Number of rounds and round times vary by section. Please read the below carefully!
Sections A & B (all rounds G/60, d5)
● 1st round: 9:00 AM
● 2nd round: 11:15 AM
● Lunch break: 1:30 PM
● 3rd round: 2:30 PM
● 4th round: 4:45 PM
Section C (all rounds G/45, d5)
● 1st round: 10:00 AM
● 2nd round: 11:45 AM
● Lunch break: 1:30 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 PM
● 4th round: 2:30 PM
● 5th round: 3:45 PM
Closing ceremony: After the last game of the section finishes.
NOTE: Half-point byes are acceptable for all rounds, limit 1. Must commit before the 1st round.
Players may not posses cell phones during the tournament. Any violators may be subject to disqualification and forfeiture.
● Early Bird: $40 at https://austin-chess.com/tournaments/act-4-junior-qualifier-5/ by 11:59pm, April 19, 2026
● Standard: $50 from April 20 until 11:59p on Mary 4, 2026
● Late: $65 on or after May 5, 2026
For additional questions, please contact us at info@austin-chess.com
● Trophies for 1st place (in each section)
● Medals for 2nd and 3rd place (in each section)
PLAYUP POLICY:
- Playup fee is $0.50 per rating point below the section up to 100 points. We use the higher of the two ratings: Live rating or Current Monthly Ratings to calculate the fee. Playup fee is a guarantee you will play up. There are no refunds for playup fee including Withdrawals Your rating becomes above the rating needed to play the section Your rating becomes lower than the 100 points less threshold AGAIN IT IS A GUARANTEE YOU WILL PLAY IN THE SECTION YOU ARE PAYING FOR All sales for playup fee are final!
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 an 80% refund. We reserve the right to charge a service fee for cancellations. NO refunds will be issued if we are notified of cancellation within 24 hours of the start of the event.
NO-SHOW POLICY: There are NO refunds or credit for players who do not show up for their scheduled tournament matches.