Author: Lori Balkum

Please read the online TLA!
Read or download the basic flyer!
Read or download the thorough tournament details!

Date: November 13, 2021

Tournament Location: Waco Convention Center, 100 Washington Ave, Waco, TX 76701.

Four Sections: Open, U1000, U600 and Unrated

Ratings: For section qualification and pairing purposes, we will be using the greater of players’ over-the-board or online USCF regular ratings (if any). However, tournament results will affect only over-the-board USCF regular/quick ratings.

Rounds and Time Control: Five Rounds. Swiss system (no elimination). G/30;d5.

Qualifications:

Every scholastic player, who is a member of the United States Chess Federation in good standing, shall
be qualified for this tournament, regardless of geographic location. For avoidance of doubt, a scholastic player is defined as a person who is currently in twelfth grade or lower (including preschoolers), but shall also include persons who have graduated high school and are younger than seventeen years of age. Players may play-up (e.g., an 800-rated player may participate in either the Open or Reserve section, but not the Novice section).

Entry fee: $15 by 9/30; $20 by 10/15; $25 by 10/30; and $30 thereafter.

Registration: Online registration may be processed on Eventbrite. All entry fees are refundable if requested within 30 days of the event, minus the Eventbrite service fee. No registrations after October 15th, 10pm. No onsite registrations for main event.

Schedule: Round 1, 8:00-9:00; Round 2, 9:30-10:30; Round 3, 11:00am-12:00pm; lunch break; Blitz, 1:00-2:00; Round 4, 2:30-3:30; Round 5, 4:00-5:00. The awards ceremony approx 5:30pm.

Byes: One ½ bye allowed, but not for the final round; all byes (or bye removals) must be requested before registration closes.

Blitz: 5SS, G/5;d0. Fee is $5, payable onsite until 12:00pm or when registering online through Eventbrite. Trophies to the top 3 scores.

Prizes: Trophies to top scorers in each section. Plaques to highest scoring teams. Medals to all players who complete round 5.

Notation: Notation required in the Open and U1000 sections. Taking notation is highly recommended to all players. Notation sheets will be provided upon request.

Other Notes: Please bring your chess clocks. The organizer is providing chess sets.

Contact: Questions? Contact csbrown.entrepreneur@gmail.com.

Immediately following the awards ceremony at the Regents Scholastic Chess Tournament, GM Vladimir Belous will offer a multi-board simultaneous exhibition. Each player who registers for the Simul plays black in his or her own separate game against GM Belous.

This Simul is meant for players rated under 1400. Rated players, unrated players, family and friends all welcome and is limited to the first 40 paid registrants. You may view the list of registered players here.

The registration fee is $10.

Online registration closes when the player limit has been reached OR on Friday, October 1st at noon, whichever comes first. If there is remaining space in the simul on Saturday morning, you may reserve a spot by going to Chess Control at the Regents Chess Tournament. Cash is requested if registering onsite.

Withdrawals will always be honored, and if you need to withdraw, we request you let us know as early as possible so that another player has the opportunity to participate. However, refund requests will only be granted until noon on Friday, October 1st (email, please). A $2 fee service fee will apply.

We do not often have GM’s visit Austin. We hope you take advantage of this wonderful opportunity! A commemorative notation sheet will be given to all participants and signed by GM Belous at the finish of their game.  

A one-day tournament on August 29th offering G/24 with 5 sec. delay per move. 3 Round Swiss. Sections dependent on turnout. EF: $10.00 all. USCF membership required. Online entry available and 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 may not expire before August 31, 2021.

We would like to start on-time. Please arrive early. Entries must be received and paid in full by 6:25pm. Online entry preferred.

Cost is $10/player. We would like the first round to begin at 6:30pm sharp. Please arrive early. If you have questions that the website has not answered, email Austin Chess Club.

Please bring a set and a board. Please bring a digital delay clock if at all possible.

For more information about the Austin Chess Club, click here.

Location:

Bridge Center of Austin
6700 Middle Fiskville Road
next to Taj Palace
Austin TX 78752

A one-day tournament on August 22nd offering G/24 with 5 sec. delay per move. 3 Round Swiss. Sections dependent on turnout. EF: $10.00 all. USCF membership required. Online entry available and 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 may not expire before August 31, 2021.

We would like to start on-time. Please arrive early. Entries must be received and paid in full by 6:25pm. Online entry preferred.

Cost is $10/player. We would like the first round to begin at 6:30pm sharp. Please arrive early. If you have questions that the website has not answered, email Austin Chess Club.

Please bring a set and a board. Please bring a digital delay clock if at all possible.

For more information about the Austin Chess Club, click here.

Location:

Bridge Center of Austin
6700 Middle Fiskville Road
next to Taj Palace
Austin TX 78752

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED

Tournament Day Links

Maps: Campus Map – – Grammar Building Floor Plan
Pairings, wall charts, and standings: all sections
Reminder Emails: Scholastic
**please note – K-5 U600 has moved to room 179**

USCF rated chess tournament in multiple RATED scholastic sections: K-3 U600, K-5 U600, K-5 Any, *6-12* U600, and *6-12* Any.  View the preregistration list here. Pairings will be posted only online. Please note: all scholastic players rated 1300 and over must play in the Open section.

NEW!!!

During the event, GM Vladimir Belous, the 2021 US Class Champion, will be hosting a short lecture, free to all. Following the award ceremony, GM Vladimir Belous, the 2021 US Class Champion, will be hosting a short lecture and a simultaneous exhibition.  The simul is open to any parent/relative/coach that is playing in the event, or has a child playing in the event, or ANY child for a cost of $10.  A commemorative notation sheet will be given to all participants and signed by GM Belous at the finish of their game.  

Basics

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 and younger sections are excused from taking notation. Please review the Parent/Coach Responsibilities before registering!

Location

Regents School of Austin
3230 Travis Country Circle
Austin, Texas 78735

Parents may wait in the Events Center. Chess play will take place in classrooms.
Review a map of campus.

Eligibility

“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, or small similar sections may be combined.

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 October 31, 2021. USCF memberships can be renewed/purchased at check-out. (JTPs ok in K-3 and younger sections only. 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)

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!
8:30 a.m Announcements begin in all scholastic playing rooms.
Players and coaches should be present.
9:00 a.m. Rd 1 begins. Scholastic sections have 5 rds, G/30, d5.
9:00 a.m. Open section begins. Open has 4 rounds, all rounds are are G/45, d5.
9:15 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Problem desk open. 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. NO Onsite registrations.

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 will be provided by Regents School. Coolers welcome. Only water bottles allowed at the chess board.

COVID-19 protocols in place – masks required for players, parents, and staff. Extra precautions will be taken to thoroughly sanitize playing pieces and furniture, to allow extra space between chess boards, and to provide hand sanitizing stations. Players are asked to wash hands frequently and use common sense. If you’re not feeling well or have been exposed to COVID-19 in the past 14 days, please do not attend. All pairings and wall charts will be posted online only to avoid crowding.

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 Parent & Child teams.

Registration Information

Entry fee pricing is staggered and based on date of entry/payment.

*Regular entry $30 thru Saturday, 09/18/2021
*Late entry $40 begins Sunday, 09/19/2021 and ENDS at NOON on Thursday 9/30/2021, at which time online entry closes.
*No onsite entries allowed. No entries accepted after online registration closes.

Withdrawals requested via email before noon on Thursday 9/30/2021 are eligible for a refund (minus a $5 service fee). 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 October 1st. All 1/2-point byes must be requested/removed before the start of round 2.

Email Lori Balkum, registrar with other questions. No phone calls, please. Emails will be returned promptly.

Organized by Rocks & Rooks. Gary Gaiffe, tournament organizer.

View the preregistration list here.

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED

Tournament Day Links

Maps: Campus Map
Pairings, wall charts, and standings: all sections
Reminder Emails: Open
**All open section games will take place in the Rhetoric Building**

USCF rated chess tournament for adults and more advanced scholastic players (rated 1200 and above). View the preregistration list here. (Less experienced players should register for the scholastic event!)

NEW!!!

Following the award ceremony, GM Vladimir Belous, the 2021 US Class Champion, will be hosting a short lecture and a simultaneous exhibition.  The simul is open to any parent/relative/coach that is playing in the event, or has a child playing in the event, or ANY child for a cost of $10.  A commemorative notation sheet will be given to all participants and signed by GM Belous at the finish of their game.  

Basics

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 (bring your own if at all possible), and mandatory notation.

Location

Regents School of Austin
3230 Travis Country Circle
Austin, Texas 78735

Parents may wait in the cafeteria. Open section chess play will take place in a classroom..

Eligibility

All adults
Any youth who have reached 1200 at some point in their ratings’ history.
Ineligible entries will be moved to the appropriate scholastic section of the 2021 Fall Scholastic at Regents School. 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 October 31, 2021.  USCF memberships can be renewed/purchased at check-out.

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!
9:00 a.m. Open section begins. Open has 4 rounds, all rounds are are G/45, d5.
No changes for round 1 (bye or section) allowed after online registration closes. Requests for byes, withdrawals, player info edits and school information may be made onsite and go into effect as of round 2. NO Onsite registrations.

Approximate Round Times

Open Section:
rd 1 – 9:00am, rd2 – 11:00am, rd3 – 1:00pm, rd4 – 3:00pm

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.

Concessions will be provided by Regents School. Coolers welcome. Only water bottles allowed at the chess board.

COVID-19 protocols in place – masks required for players, parents, and staff. Extra precautions will be taken to thoroughly sanitize playing pieces and furniture, to allow extra space between chess boards, and to provide hand sanitizing stations. Players are asked to wash hands frequently and use common sense. If you’re not feeling well or have been exposed to COVID-19 in the past 14 days, please do not attend. All pairings and wall charts will be posted online only to avoid crowding.

Awards

Cash prizes, based on number of entries. Special trophies will be awarded to the highest scoring Parent & Child teams.

Registration Information

*Regular entry (youth $30, adult $25) thru Saturday, 09/18/2021
*Late entry (youth $40, adult $35) begins Sunday, 09/19/2021 and ENDS at NOON on Thursday 09/30/2021, at which time online entry closes.
*If space permits, onsite registration will be permitted, $40 regardless of age. Cash preferred. First round play requires registration before 8:45am.

Withdrawals requested before Sunday 09/30/2021 are eligible for a refund (minus a $5 service fee). No refunds for USCF memberships after purchased from the USCF. NO email/phone entries.

Email Lori Balkum, registrar with other questions. No phone calls, please. Emails will be returned promptly.

Organized by Rocks & Rooks. Gary Gaiffe, tournament organizer.

View the preregistration list here.

Description: Visit the event website. Organized by the Dallas Chess Club, this is a USCF rated swiss chess tournament open to all scholastic chess players attending Texas schools (including homeschoolers). There will be 6 rounds in total. The tournament will be a three-day event on October 29th – 31st. 1/2 point bye available for any round if notified before Round 2 is paired. Tournament COVID protocols: Mask required in all Ballroom/Skittles/Vendor areas

Round times:

Onsite Registration Friday, 10/29 6:15-7:15pm if not completed online.
• Rounds 1 is on Friday evening at 7:30pm.
• Rounds 2 , 3, and 4 are on Saturday at 10am, 1pm, and 4pm respectively.
• Rounds 5 and 6 are on Sunday at 10am and 1pm.

Time controls:
• Grades 6-12: All rounds are G/60, d5.
• Grades K-5: Round 1 is G/45, d5. Rounds 2-6 are G/60, d5.

Entry fee: $39 if postmarked before 10/4/21, $52 if postmarked before 10/18, and $66 thereafter or onsite.  Do not mail after 10/24 as your entry may not be received in time.

Sections and Prizes:
Trophies or plaques to the top 8 individuals and top 5 teams. Top 3 players added for team scores. No more than 2 teams per school in each grade.

Online TLA: https://new.uschess.org/24th-northcentral-texas-grade-championships

Location:

Hilton Houston North
12400 Greenspoint Dr
Houston, TX 77060

Questions:

Contact info@dallaschess.com if you have questions about this event. (Please read the event description before emailing!)

This event is going to be replaced with single night events. Watch the website for details!

This slow swiss takes place over 4 weeks, with games on August 22nd, August 29th, September 5th, and September 12th. G/90 with 30 sec. increment per move. 4 round Swiss. Sections dependent on turnout. EF: $20.00 all. Online registration and payment requested.

Austin Chess Club is hosting another serious swiss tournament. USCF membership must not expire before September 30, 2021.

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 6:00pm – 6:25pm on May 2nd. 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 6:25pm! First round begins at 6:30pm. 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 Sunday, August 29th to secure a round 2 pairing.

For more information about the Austin Chess Club, click here.

Location:

Bridge Center of Austin
6700 Middle Fiskville Road
next to Taj Palace
Austin TX 78752

A one-day tournament on August 15th offering G/24 with 5 sec. delay per move. 3 Round Swiss. Sections dependent on turnout. EF: $10.00 all. USCF membership required. Online entry available and 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 may not expire before August 31, 2021.

We would like to start on-time. Please arrive early. Entries must be received and paid in full by 6:25pm. Online entry preferred.

Cost is $10/player. We would like the first round to begin at 6:30pm sharp. Please arrive early. If you have questions that the website has not answered, email Austin Chess Club.

Please bring a set and a board. Please bring a digital delay clock if at all possible.

For more information about the Austin Chess Club, click here.

Location:

Bridge Center of Austin
6700 Middle Fiskville Road
next to Taj Palace
Austin TX 78752