Author: Lori Balkum

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Monthly Chess Club for Kids at Twin Oaks Branch, APL

Twin Oaks Branch
Austin Public Library
1800 S. Fifth St
Austin, TX 78704

512-974-9980

Last Saturday of each month 1-4pm

On the last Saturday of each month, youth players in Austin have an open play opportunity at the Twin Oaks Branch of the Austin Public Library. Children of all ages and abilities and their accompanying adults are welcome. The group is intended for kids ages 5 and up.  Children under the age of 10 must be accompanied by an adult. Limited instruction is available to help beginners!

There is no fee for participation in the group.

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2023 Chess in the Park

Chess outdoors in Wooldridge park! Unrated 4 round G/20 tournament for all ages in 2 scholastic sections and one open section. Limited to the first 50 paid players. No elimination – play all rounds whether you win or lose! Online Registration is now closed, but ONSITE REGISTRATIONS will be accepted.

Weather update! Due to the high chance of rain and dropping temperatures, the tournament will be held at Dobie Mall!

View the Pre-Registration List.

Date
October 29, 2022

Alternative Location
Dobie Mall
2nd floor – Food Court
2021 Guadalupe St
Austin, TX 78705

Street and garage parking available.

Sections

  • Open
  • K-6
  • K-3

*Lower sections may be combined if registrations are low.
*All sections are unrated.  NO USCF membership required.
*Restricted to the first 50 players.

Rounds and Times

Four Rounds at a time control of G/20.

  • We play approximately noon – 5pm.
  • Registration & Check-in: 11:20am – 12:00noon
  • All pre-registered players must arrive before noon, or they may be ineligible to play in the first round.
  • We play approximately noon – 5pm.

Entry fee and Prizes:

  • Online entries: $13 – by Saturday, 10/21 at 11:59pm (online payment only).
  • Online entries: $17 – from Sunday, 10/22 to Saturday, 10/28 (5pm) (online payment only)
  • Onsite entries: $25 – Cash only. May receive a round 1 bye and begin play in round 2. 
  • Prizes– At least top 3 finishers in each scholastic section will receive a medal. Open section offers cash prizes.

Details

Space is available!  Register onsite between 11:20 and 11:45 to get a 1st round pairing!

  • Boards and Sets supplied!
  • NO US Chess Membership necessary. 
  • NO Notation required. Feel free if you wish to bring pen and paper, but these are quick games!
  • Donations are accepted here for the Parks/Libraries Fund. Look for this
    fund on your City of Austin Utility Bill to donate again in the future.
  • Bring a folding chair, if you have one!!

Rain Location

There is inclement weather predicted! The tournament will be held at the Dobie Mall food court – Guadalupe and 21st on the 2nd level.

The decision to move to Dobie Mall is final.

Questions

For registration questions, please email
Lori Balkum, (registrar@austinchesstournaments.com)
For all other event questions, please email
Gary Gaiffe, (ggaiffe@att.net)

Organized by Rocks & Rooks

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Austin Grandmaster Chess Academy October Scholastic

We are hosting an In-Person USCF Rated Scholastic Tournament on October 28, 2023 from 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM.  USCF Membership required.   Capacity: 52 players! 

LOCATION:
Austin Grandmaster Chess Academy
7801 North Lamar Blvd
Suite A123
Austin, TX 78752
Free parking provided!

TOURNAMENT STYLE:
SECTION A: 1000 – 1400 USCF rating
SECTION B: 600 – 1000 USCF rating
SECTION C: Under 600 USCF rating and/or unrated.
*Note that no player will be allowed to play up or down*
*USCF MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED*

RATING INFORMATION:
● October official USCF ratings will be used.

4-Round Swiss System Schedule (G/30,d5)
●  1st round: 10:00 AM
●  2nd round: 11:00 AM
●  Lunch break: 12:00 PM
●  3rd round: 12:30 PM.
●  4th round: 1:30 PM.
●  Closing ceremony: After the last game finishes.
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. Please leave your phone at home, in your car, or turned off (vibrate/silent not acceptable) on top of your table. 

ENTRY FEES:
●  Online: $35 at https://austin-chess.com/tournaments/school_tournament/ by October 27th, 2023 at 11:59 pm.
●  On-site: $50  via PayPal or cash (if space is available)
For additional questions, please contact us at info@austin-chess.com

PRIZES:
●  Trophies for 1st place (in each section)
● Medals for 2nd and 3rd place (in each section)

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 a $35 refund. We reserve the right to charge a $15 service fee for cancellations. 

WITHDRAWAL POLICY: If you would like to withdraw from the tournament after it begins, please alert the tournament director and sign a withdrawal form in the lobby prior to leaving the premises. 

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. 

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Sunday Open Play at the Austin Grandmaster Chess Academy – Cancelled

Free Open Play was offered on Sundays thru 7/1/2024 at the Austin Grandmaster Chess Academy. No longer available. Please see our website for other opportunities.

Austin Grandmaster Chess Academy

 ***NEW ADDRESS!!!***
12466 Los Indios Trail
Suite 100
Austin, TX 78729-7934
Free parking provided!

Sunday Open Play is no longer available.  We hope to see you at one of our tournaments!

For any questions, please contact us at info@austin-chess.com.

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Waco October 14 Swiss – National Chess Day Tournament

Rated National Chess Day Tourament 4SS in 4 sections. This event takes place on October 14, 2023. Limited to 60 players!
View the pre-registration list here!
The tournament is currently full.  You’ll find the Waiting List Registration here!

Location
Holy Spirit Episcopal Church
1624 Wooded Acres Dr
Waco, TX 76710

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

  • Over 1800
  • Under 1800
  • Under 1300
  • Under 800

Rounds and Times
Four Rounds

  • Registration & Check-in for all sections: 8:50 to 9:10 AM
  • Round One (all sections): 9:15 AM

The Under sections have a time control of G/45,d5

  • Round Two: 11:00 AM
  • Round Three: 1:15 PM (after lunch)
  • Round Four: 3:00 PM


The Over 1800 section has a time control of G/60,d5

  • Round Two: 11:30 AM
  • Round Three: 2:00 PM (after lunch)
  • Round Four: 4:15 PM
  • $20 – Cash only (exact change appreciated). Paid when you arrive to tournament. 
  • 1st & 2nd Place Cash Prizes in each section, amount based on the number of entries. The prize list will be posted on-site, after the start of Round 1.

Registration Link and tournament info

  • Onsite Registration is 8:50 – 9:10 AM.  If you show up onsite without preregistering, there’s a chance the tournament will already be full.
  • Pre-registered not checked in by 9:10am 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 and pens will be available if needed.

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)

Read our ONLINE TLA!

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**CANCELLED-Austin Monthly Scholastic Tournament – December-CANCELLED**

This event has been cancelled by the organizer.

Rated 5SS in 10 sections; G/30, d5. This event takes place on Sunday, December 10, 2023 and is limited to scholastic players only (K-12).

Location
Holiday Inn Austin Midtown
6000 Middle Fiskville Rd
Austin, TX 78752

Sections

  • K-12 Elite
  • K-12 U1000
  • K-12 U600
  • K-5 Championship (suggested USCF 600+)
  • K-5 U600
  • K-5 U300
  • K-3 Championship (suggested USCF 600+)
  • K-3 U600
  • K-3 U300
  • K-1 Championship

We reserve the right to merge sections if there are not enough players in a section.

Rounds and Times
Five Rounds at a time control of G/30, d5

  • Onsite registration : 8:00 to 9:00 AM
    No check-in necessary if you have pre-registered.
  • Round One: 10:00 AM
  • Round Two: 11:30 AM
  • lunch break 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM
  • Round Three: 1:30 PM 
  • Round Four: 3:00 PM
  • Round Five: 4:30 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
$40 by 11/26
$45 by 12/3
$50 on or after 12/4 (on-site registration closes 1 hour before Round 1).

Withdrawals requested via email before NOON on Friday 12/8/23 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.

Other Notes
This tournament is USCF-rated. Your USCF membership should not expire before 12/31/2023.

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.

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

Registration
This event has been cancelled by the organizer.

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Austin Monthly Scholastic Tournament – November

Rated 5SS in 10 sections; G/30, d5. This event takes place on Sunday, November 5, 2023 and is limited to scholastic players only (K-12).

Location
Holiday Inn Austin Midtown
6000 Middle Fiskville Rd
Austin, TX 78752

Sections

  • K-12 Elite
  • K-12 U1000
  • K-12 U600
  • K-5 Championship (suggested USCF 600+)
  • K-5 U600
  • K-5 U300
  • K-3 Championship (suggested USCF 600+)
  • K-3 U600
  • K-3 U300
  • K-1 Championship

We reserve the right to merge sections if there are not enough players in a section.

Rounds and Times
Five Rounds at a time control of G/30, d5

  • Onsite registration : 8:00 to 9:00 AM
    No check-in necessary if you have pre-registered.
  • Round One: 10:00 AM
  • Round Two: 11:30 AM
  • lunch break 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM
  • Round Three: 1:30 PM 
  • Round Four: 3:00 PM
  • Round Five: 4:30 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
$40 by 10/22
$45 by 10/29
$50 on or after 10/30 (on-site registration closes 1 hour before Round 1).

Withdrawals requested via email before NOON on Friday 11/3/23 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
Registration Link: https://caissachess.net/online-registration/index/3224

Other Notes
This tournament is USCF-rated. Your USCF membership should not expire before 11/30/2023.

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.

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

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Austin Monthly Scholastic Tournament – October

Rated 5SS in 10 sections; G/30, d5. This event takes place on Sunday, October 15, 2023 and is limited to scholastic players only (K-12).

Location
Holiday Inn Austin Midtown
6000 Middle Fiskville Rd
Austin, TX 78752

Sections

  • K-12 Elite
  • K-12 U1000
  • K-12 U600
  • K-5 Championship (suggested USCF 600+)
  • K-5 U600
  • K-5 U300
  • K-3 Championship (suggested USCF 600+)
  • K-3 U600
  • K-3 U300
  • K-1 Championship

We reserve the right to merge sections if there are not enough players in a section.

Rounds and Times
Five Rounds at a time control of G/30, d5

  • Onsite registration : 8:00 to 9:00 AM
    No check-in necessary if you have pre-registered.
  • Round One: 10:00 AM
  • Round Two: 11:30 AM
  • lunch break 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM
  • Round Three: 1:30 PM 
  • Round Four: 3:00 PM
  • Round Five: 4:30 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
$40 by 10/1
$45 by 10/8
$50 on or after 10/9 (on-site registration closes 1 hour before Round 1).

Withdrawals requested via email before NOON on Friday 10/13/23 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
Registration Link: https://caissachess.net/online-registration/index/3223

Other Notes
This tournament is USCF-rated. Your USCF membership should not expire before 10/31/2023.

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.

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

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Chess For Trees Fall Scholastic Championship

The tournament will consist of a K-5 section and a K-12 section. There will be trophy prizes for both sections. The format of the tournament will be 5 Round Swiss – 15 minutes with 2 second increment. The tournament will be hosted on chess.com. You will need a chess.com account to play the tournament, and you must be a current USCF member.

Registration Fee: $15
Registration closes on September 28th at midnight.
Register online today!

Prizes
Top 3 in each section will receive trophies.  Number of trophies given out may increase based on the number of participants.

Fair Play
Tournament results will be finalized after 1-2 weeks in order to give chess.com time to do a fair play analysis. If chess.com determines you have cheated then you will not be eligible for any prizes and your chess.com account might be closed. Chess.com’s decision is final.

Technical Difficulties
Unfortunately due to the nature of virtual tournaments nothing can be done if you lose a match or face any other difficulties due to internet issues and other technical difficulties. Note: You will not be refunded for any loss due to technical difficulties.

More Instructions
Once you have registered and paid the registration fee of $15 please join the “Chess For Trees” club on chess.com. The club is private.

Note: Only people who have paid the registration fee will be admitted to the club.

On the day of the tournament sign into your chess.com account and go to https://www.chess.com/live and then on the tournaments tab you should see our tournament. Please join the tournament and wait for the rounds to start. The next round will start after all games are finished. The whole tournament will last for no more than 3-4 hours.

Please only join the tournament for your section, as if you fail to do this then you will end up playing the wrong section, and will not be counted for prizes

If you’re playing the K-12 section then join the September Rapid – K-12 tournament, and if you’re playing in the K-5 section join the  September Rapid – K-5 tournament.

Please note:
Both sections will start at 11 AM CST on 9/30/2023.

Payment Information and Refund Policy
To pay for your tournament entry, please visit the event page. A payment link is located at the bottom. If the tournament is cancelled for any reason, all entries be refunded 100% . If you decide to withdraw your entry fee will be refunded as long as you contact the organizer by email no later than 9/28.

Contact Us:
If you have any questions please email us at chessfortrees@gmail.com

View our USCF Online TLA!

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Austin Grandmaster Chess Academy September Scholastic

We are hosting an In-Person USCF Rated Scholastic Tournament on September 30, 2023 from 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM.  USCF Membership required.   Capacity: 52 players! 

LOCATION:
Austin Grandmaster Chess Academy
7801 North Lamar Blvd
Suite A123
Austin, TX 78752
Free parking provided!

TOURNAMENT STYLE:
SECTION A: 1000 – 1400 USCF rating
SECTION B: 600 – 1000 USCF rating
SECTION C: Under 600 USCF rating and/or unrated.
*Note that no player will be allowed to play up or down*
*USCF MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED*

RATING INFORMATION:
● September official USCF ratings will be used.

4-Round Swiss System Schedule (G/30,d5)
●  1st round: 10:00 AM
●  2nd round: 11:00 AM
●  Lunch break: 12:00 PM
●  3rd round: 12:30 PM.
●  4th round: 1:30 PM.
●  Closing ceremony: After the last game finishes.
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. Please leave your phone at home, in your car, or turned off (vibrate/silent not acceptable) on top of your table. 

ENTRY FEES:
●  Online: $35 at https://austin-chess.com/tournaments/school_tournament/ by September 29th, 2023 at 11:59 pm.
●  On-site: $50  via PayPal or cash (if space is available)
For additional questions, please contact us at info@austin-chess.com

PRIZES:
●  Trophies for 1st place (in each section)
● Medals for 2nd and 3rd place (in each section)

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 a $35 refund. We reserve the right to charge a $15 service fee for cancellations. 

WITHDRAWAL POLICY: If you would like to withdraw from the tournament after it begins, please alert the tournament director and sign a withdrawal form in the lobby prior to leaving the premises. 

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.