Author: Lori Balkum

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ACC USCF G/90 Standard Swiss

This slow swiss takes place over 4 weeks, with games on October 11th, 18th, 25th, and November 1st. G/90 with 30 sec. increment per move. 4 round Swiss. Sections dependent on turnout. EF: $20.00 all. Online registration and payment requested.

USCF membership must not expire before November 30, 2025.

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 October 11th. 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,  October 18th 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 November 22, 2025 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 requested.

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 November 30, 2025. 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 November 15, 2025 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 requested.

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 November 30, 2025. 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 November 8, 2025 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 requested.

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 November 30, 2025. 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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Waco September 13 Swiss

Rated 4SS in 3 sections; G/45, d5. This event takes place on September 13, 2025. Limited to 60 players!

VIEW ENTRY LIST (This is manually entered, so it does not always reflect the most recent registrations.)

Location
Holy Spirit Episcopal Church
1624 Wooded Acres Dr
Waco, TX 76710
(free parking on site!)

The church is behind the Target shopping center. Enter through main doors and turn right. The tournament room is at the end the of hallway.

Sections

  • Championship (Open to players rated 1400 and up)
  • U1601 (Open to players rated 800-1600)
  • U1000 (Open to players rated 1000 or less)
Notes on Sections:
-Players rated 1400-1600 may play in Under 1601 or play up to Championship.
-Players rated 800-999 may play in Under 1000 or play up to Under 1600.
-Most unrated players should play in the Under 1000 section. Please email us if you are unrated and want to play in a higher section.
*We go by monthly published ratings, but if your live current rating goes up before the tournament, you may email us and request to change sections.

Rounds and Times
Four Rounds at a time control of G/45;d5

  • Registration & Check-in: 9:00 to 9:20 AM
  • Round One: 9:30 AM
  • Round Two: 11:15 AM
  • Round Three: 1:30 PM (after lunch)
  • Round Four: 3:15 PM
  • $20 – Cash only (exact change appreciated). Paid when you arrive to tournament. 
  • Cash Prizes– Based on the number of entries

Waiting List Link and tournament info

  • Onsite Registration is 9:00 – 9:20 AM.  If you show up onsite without preregistering, there’s a chance the tournament will already be full.
  • Pre-registered not checked in by 9:20am will not be paired in round 1, unless you notify us (via email or text) that you are on the way.
  • (For parents registering children, you may enter the parent email and phone number, but please enter the player’s name.)

Details

  • Please bring a clock if you have one! We will provide chess sets.
  • 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.

Questions

For questions or problems registering, please email or text:
Dan Shafer (daniel_m_shafer@baylor.edu)
Deborah Shafer (dshaferchess@yahoo.com)
Or visit our site (wacochess.org)

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ACC USCF G/90 Standard Swiss

This Austin Chess Club G/90 inc 30 4 round swiss takes place over 4 weeks, with games on September 6, 13, 20, and 27. Sections dependent on turnout. EF: $20.00 all. Online registration and payment requested.

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 to play all 4 rounds happens onsite 3:00-3:45pm on September 6th. 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, September 13th 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 October 4, 2025 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 requested (coming soon).

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 October 31, 2025. 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 (coming soon).

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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91st Annual Southwest Open

Event website: https://www.kingregistration.com/event/91SWO
view the advance entry list:  https://www.kingregistration.com/entrylist/91SWO

Register online today. 

Overview:
International (FIDE norm) section: 9SS G/90 with 30 sec inc. Begins Thursday evening, August 28, 2025. (Specific details regarding USCF vs FIDE rules listed on event website.)
Remaining sections: 7SS G/60 with 30 sec inc.  4 sections, divided by rating. Begins Friday afternoon, August 29, 2025.

Venue:
Wyndham Garden McAllen, 1921 S 10th St, McAllen, TX 78503
956-994-0505
*For room rates mention banquet rates.

International Section: 
Place Prizes: $3000 first, $1500 second, $500 third. 120 Enhanced Grand Prix Points.
Special Collegiate Prizes: $400 top college, $250 second, $150 third
Top college student earns title 2025-26 Southwest Collegiate Champion, plaque, and name engraved on trophy
Top female college student earns title 2025-26 Southwest Collegiate Women’s Champion and plaque
Collegiate team titles and collegiate women’s team titles also awarded
Armageddon playoff for tied college individual or women’s champion
College prizes stack with main prizes

All Other Sections: 
Prizes: Points-based prizes as follows: $1000 for seven points, $750 for 6.5 points, $500 for six points, $200 for 5.5 points and $50 for five points.

All Players:
Birthday bonus: $25 for players with at least an even score whose birthday occurs during the tournament.
The four highest scores from all sections combined (except last two rounds of International) will be used for team awards. The top five teams receive four plaques each.

Forfeit Rule:
Players who fail to appear within 30 minutes of round start forfeit the game unless the Chief TD otherwise provides for good cause.

Schedule:
Available on the EVENT WEBSITE.

Entry fees: 
International Section:  $150 by June 30, $200 by July 30, $225 by August 15, $250 by August 22, $300 thereafter
**GMs and foreign IMs free entry in International section
All Other Sections: $75 by June 30, $100 by July 30, $115 by August 15, $125 by August 22, $150 thereafter

Play-up fee: $100 for International, $50 for other sections (waived if within 50 points)
Seniors (65+): $10 discount (use code: STILLGOTIT)
Onsite Registration: $25 additional fee (closes an hour before round one)

Register online today. 

Side Events:

Texas Blitz Championship: The Blitz Championship will be six rounds with a G/5 time control. There will be two sections: Championship and U1600. This is rated. The entry fee is $25.

Texas Bullet Championship: The Bullet Championship will be nine double rounds (eighteen games total) with a G/1 time control. This is not rated. The entry fee is $15.

Texas Freestyle Championship: Freestyle, also known as Chess 960 or Fischer Random, is a chess variant where the starting position is randomized. The Freestyle Championship will be five rounds with a G/10 time control. This is not rated. The entry fee is $20.

Texas Puzzles Championship: TBD

General: The highest-ranking player(s) in each of the above tournaments (or the championship section thereof, if subdivided) will be declared state champions. Players are not required to compete in the main event. 70% of entry fees will be returned as prizes. Sections may be further subdivided or merged if appropriate due to turnout. The other rules for the main event apply unless the organizers otherwise provide.

TCA Annual Membership Meeting: This is a business meeting where members will hear reports from officers and vote on important business affecting the Association. All TCA members who are Texas residents and at least 16 years of age are voting members. Everyone is welcome to attend. An agenda will be posted on the TCA website at least two weeks in advance.

Questions: Contact David Ortiz, 832-908-5462 at admin@texaschess.org

Event website: 
https://new.uschess.org/91st-southwest-open

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2025 Texas State Grade Championships – North/Central

USCF rated, 6 round chess tournament to determine the state champion for each grade level! 13 sections offered (see below).

Location

Houston Marriott Westchase
2900 Briarpark Drive
Houston, TX 77042

Sections

 Players must play in their current grade level. Playing up to a higher or down to a lower grade level is not permitted. Homeschoolers, please register for a section based on your age.

• Kindergarten• 7th Grade
• 1st Grade• 8th Grade
• 2nd Grade• 9th Grade
• 3rd Grade• 10th Grade
• 4th Grade• 11th Grade
• 5th Grade• 12th Grade
• 6th Grade

Basics

This is an official USCF-rated tournament open to all current USCF members that reside in Texas.
USCF rules and regulations will be strictly adhered to.
All players must have current USCF membership to play.
October Supplement USCF regular ratings will be used.
6 rounds (no elimination)
Sections determined solely by grade (age based for homeschoolers)
Time controls by round and grade:
Round 1:  G45;d/5 (K-5) & G/60;d/5 (6-12).
Rounds 2-6: G/60;d/5 (K-12).
One half-point bye allowed

Awards

Trophies to top 8 individuals and top 5 teams in each section.

Top 3 players in the section are
added for team scores.

No more than two teams per school per grade may be entered. If entering
more than one team per grade, the teams must be predefined and may be paired against each
other.

More Info and Registration

More information and Registration
For more information (awards,  entry fees, hotel suggestion, schedule) and to register, please visit the event website: www.dallaschess.com (look for the State Grades Banner!)

View or download the event flyer!

Questions

If you still have questions after visiting the event website, please contact Barbara Swafford,  info@dallaschess.com.

Online TLA!

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Cedar Park August 2025 Scholastic Tournament

Scholastic chess tournament in multiple sections at the Cedar Park Public Library on August 23, 2025. 
Tournament and Waitlist are now full!

Location

Cedar Park Public Library

425 S Parkwest Dr Cedar Park, TX 78613 

(Free Parking Onsite!)
The tournament is held in the Event Space to the very left of the library upon entering. It’s where the Sunday Open Chess Play is held

*This is NOT a City of Cedar Park or Library sponsored event. 

Sections

(Subject to Change depending on registration)
K-12 Elite
K-12 U1000
K-5 U600

No playing down. For example, a player rated 700 at the time of the tournament cannot play in K-5U600. 
*Grade is your child’s grade in August 2025.
*K-12 Elite is restricted to kids that are (or have been previously) 900+ USCF regular/quick rated. 

Awards

(Subject to Change depending on registration)
Trophy for top 3 places in each Section, medals for positive score, ribbon for everyone else. 
Additional Trophy for Top U300 Student and Top Unrated Student in K-5 U600.
Additional Trophy for Top U800 Student and Top U600 Student in K-12 U1000.
Additional Trophy for Top U1200 Student and Top U1000 Student in K-12 Elite. 
Awards will be handed out after the last round!
*Top 3 places determined by points and tiebreakers calculated by WinTD.
*One trophy max per student. 

Schedule

No check in required. Be seated at 9:15AM for announcements.

Five rounds, with estimated start times of  9:30AM, 10:45AM, 12PM, 1:15PM, and 2:30PM.

 
Time Control: G25/d5
USCF regular/quick rated

Registration Information

The tournament and waitlist are now full.

  • Early Registration $30 before noon June 23, 2025
  • Regular Registration $40 before noon August 8, 2025 if there are any spots available

  • Late Entry $50 before noon August 22, 2025 if there are any spots available

    *$10 off registration for kids with Current USCF Regular Rating over 1,200
    *$15 off registration for kids with Current USCF Regular Rating over 1,300
    *$20 off registration for kids with Current USCF Regular Rating over 1,400

Payment Methods

Strongly prefer Payment via Venmo (Daniel-Hung-3) or zelle (Click here to show mail address or 956-639-5311) (legal name for both Daniel Flood). Cash or check can only be dropped off or mailed (contact for more info on this option). No Cash or Check accepted on site. Payment must be made before the above deadlines to lock in your price and registration.

What to Bring and Know

  • Please bring a clock 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 for 4th grade and up.  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. See the library website for more information about where food may be consumed https://www.cedarparktexas.gov/198/Guidelines-Policies 

Questions

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

Online TLA!