Author: Sarah Brauner

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ACC 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.

Entry fee 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.

Equipment provided. We look forward to seeing you!

Location: entrance is at the back of the parking lot, up the stairway with the Austin Chess Club sign
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, including contact information, click here.

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Longhorn Chess Wednesdays

We recently founded a non-profit corporation called Longhorn Chess, with the goal of creating a welcoming and inclusive space for local chess enthusiasts.

We’re hosting weekly chess meetups and tournaments every Wednesday at Taco Bell, 1545 N US Hwy 183, Leander, TX 78641 (near Lowe’s).

Event Name: Longhorn Chess Weekly Games
Dates: Every Wednesday
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Taco Bell, 1545 N US Hwy 183, Leander, TX 78641
Format: G/25; d5 – 3 games per night

Organizer: Longhorn Chess (Non-Profit Organization)
Contact: longhornchess25@gmail.com

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3rd Austin Chess Tour: Junior Qualifier #5

We are hosting an In-Person USCF Rated Scholastic Tournament on December 20, 2025 starting at 10:00 AM.  USCF Membership required.   Capacity: 100 players!

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.
*Note that no player will be allowed to play up or down*
*The higher of the official or most recent rating will determine section selection.**
*If two adjacent sections each have an odd number of players, and the highest-rated player in the lower section is within 50 rating points of the higher section, they may be moved up to balance the sections**
These rules are to avoid byes and better pairings for all.
*USCF MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED*

RATING INFORMATION:
● December 2025 official USCF ratings will be used.

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: 10:00 AM
●  2nd round: 12:15 AM
●  Lunch break: 2:30 PM
●  3rd round: 3:30 PM
●  4th round: 5:45 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 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 posses cell phones during the tournament. Any violators may be subject to disqualification and forfeiture.

ENTRY FEES:
●  Online: $40 at https://austin-chess.com/tournaments/act-3-junior-qualifier-5/  by 11:59pm, December 14, 2025
●  $50  on or after December 15, 2025
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 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.
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. 
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3rd Austin Chess Tour: Open Qualifier #5

The Austin Grandmaster Chess Academy is hosting an Open USCF Rated Tournament on December 6, 2025 starting at 10:00 AM.  USCF Membership required.  Capacity: 100 players!

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

 

TOURNAMENT STYLE:
4SS, time controls determined by section
SECTION A:  1800 +  USCF rated
SECTION B:  1400 – 1799  USCF rated
SECTION C:  1000-1399 USCF rated
SECTION D:  U1000 USCF rated

*USCF MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED*
**Players are not allowed to play up or down**

RATING INFORMATION:
● December 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.

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

Sections C & D (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

●  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 posses cell phones during the tournament. Any violators may be subject to disqualification and forfeiture.

ENTRY FEES:
●  Early Bird: $50  by November 30th at 11:59 pm.
●  $60 on or after December 1st (if space is available)
For additional questions, please contact us at info@austin-chess.com
Link for registration: https://austin-chess.com/tournaments/act-3-open-qualifier-5/

PRIZES:
●  Section A : $400, $200, $100
●  Section B: $200, $100, $50
●  Section C: $100, $75, $50
●  Section D: Chess books
Medals will be awarded to the top 3 finishers in each section.

OPEN QUALIFIER POINTS:
The top 10 places in Section A will earn points according to the following table
1st Place: 25 OQ Points
2nd Place: 18 OQ Points
3rd Place: 15 OQ Points
4th Place: 12 OQ Points
5th Place: 10 OQ Points
6th Place: 8 OQ Points
7th Place: 6 OQ Points
8th Place: 4 OQ Points
9th Place: 2 OQ Points
10th Place: 1 OQ 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.

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Wednesday Rapid Quads 11/19/25

The Austin Grandmaster Chess Academy is hosting USCF Rated 3 round Quads. Capacity: 60 players!

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

*US Chess Membership Required*

SECTIONS: Players rated above 1100 USCF will be allowed into the tournament.

QUAD FORMAT: A Quad Tournament is a four-player round-robin event where each player faces the other three opponents. Players are grouped by rating (1–4, 5–8, etc.), and each section plays three rounds. If the total number of players isn’t divisible by four, the remaining players (e.g., last 5–6) are placed into a small Swiss section instead.

TIME CONTROL: G/30, d5

3-Round Round-Robin System Schedule
1st round: 6:00 PM
2nd round: ASAP after 1st round finishes
3rd round: ASAP after 2nd round finishes
No closing ceremony, prize will be sent by PayPal after the end of the tournament.

PLAYERS MAY NOT POSSESS CELL PHONES DURING THE TOURNAMENT. Any violators may be subject to disqualification and forfeiture.

ENTRY FEES:
●  Online: $25 at https://austin-chess.com/tournaments/wednesday-rapid-quad-2025-nov-19/
For additional questions, please contact us at info@austin-chess.com

PRIZES:
●  $50 for 1st place in each quad

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 $10 service fee for cancellations. 

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. 

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Wednesday Blitz Night 11/12/25

The Austin Grandmaster Chess Academy is hosting a weekly blitz tournament on Wednesday evenings for players aged 14+ or younger players with mature ratings (1400+). 6:30-9:00. USCF Membership required. Capacity: 60 players

Austin Grandmaster Chess Academy
12466 Los Indios Trail
Austin, TX 78729

TOURNAMENT STYLE:
9 Round Swiss, one section, Time control: G/3;+2

RATING INFORMATION:
● November 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.

TIME CONTROL & SCHEDULE:
NOTE: Half-point byes are acceptable for all rounds, limit 1. Must commit before the 1st round.

One section: G/3;+2
●  1st round: 6:00 PM
●  2nd round: 6:15 PM
●  3rd round: 6:30 PM
●  4th round: 6:45 PM
●  5th round: 7:00 PM
●  6th round: 7:30 PM
●  7th round: 7:45 PM
●  8th round: 8:00 PM
●  9th round: 8:15 PM

The Closing ceremony for each will take place after the final round of that section.

PLAYERS MAY NOT POSSESS CELL PHONES DURING THE TOURNAMENT. Any violators may be subject to disqualification and forfeiture.

ENTRY FEES:
● $20 online at https://austin-chess.com/tournaments/wednesday-blitz-night-2025-nov-12/

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

PRIZES: $150, $100, $50

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 $5 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. 

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2025 South Texas State Grade Championships

State Championship Event
UT Rio Grande Valley (Brownsville campus)
 – 

 

Event website:

https://www.utrgv.edu/chess/tournaments/2025-south-texas-state-grade-championships/

 

During the tournament, to improve the efficiency of mass communication, we will be using Telegram for the announcements. We recommend you installing it in advance.

The event will be played at the UTRGV Brownsville Campus. Precise building/location details to follow.

Chief Tournament Organizers: GM Bartek Macieja and LTD Colt Smith-Munoz

Chief Tournament Director: IA Louis Reed

Only Texas residents or students enrolled in secondary or primary schools (including home schools) in Texas may play in this event.

Current TCA membership is required. For most participants, “Junior Online” membership is most suitable. It costs $3 and allows them to participate in all Texas championships within a year without any additional payment to TCA.

USCF and TCA Memberships will not be processed by the organizers.

There will be 13 sections (one for each grade) and students will only play opponents in their grade, unless otherwise specified. Winners in each grade will be declared the State Champion of their respective grade throughout all of South Texas.

Grades:

  • Kindergarten (includes Pre-K)
  • 1st Grade
  • 2nd Grade
  • 3rd Grade
  • 4th Grade
  • 5th Grade
  • 6th Grade
  • 7th Grade
  • 8th Grade
  • 9th Grade
  • 10th Grade
  • 11th Grade
  • 12th Grade

Schedule and round times: TBD

Registration and payment shall be made online. Registration links TBD

$40 by October 13

$50 by October 27

$60 by November 7

$80 on November 8

Entries on November 8 will be permitted till 9:00 am. Players not registered by the cutoff time shall be paired from Round 2 only, unless the Chief Tournament Director decides otherwise.

One 1/2-point bye is allowed if requested by November 8 at 9:00 am.

Refunds by October 25; $10 refund charge.

6 rounds, Swiss System

The latest version of Swiss Sys will be used. Pairings created by this program are considered legal and will stand even if a pairing is not ideal, especially if pairings have been already posted. Current version is 11.55.

Total awards: 91 trophies, $2000 in scholarships from UTRGV and TCA

• Trophies will be awarded to the top 6 individual finishers in each section.

• A trophy will be awarded to the top team in each section.

• Awards will not be split between participants / teams with the same number of points – the tie-break point system described in the Tournament Regulations will be used.

• Chess sets, notations, pens, and clocks will be provided.

• Electronic notation devices shall not be used except for players with a disability and only with prior authorization.

• Accommodation for participants with disabilities will be ensured.

Address:

650 Ringgold Rd
Brownsville, TX 78520
United States

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Texas Chess Triathlon

TEXAS CHESS TRIATHLON

A TEXAS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT

SATURDAY OCTOBER 25, 2025

One-day tournament. 12 ROUNDS!  6 rounds of Blitz (G/5), followed by 4 rounds of Quick(G/20) and then by 2 rounds of Classical (G/90,d5).

For pairing purposes each win equals 1 point and each draw equals ½ point.  But for prize distribution each Blitz win equals 1 point and each draw equals ½ point; each Quick win equals 2 points and each draw equals 1 point; each Classical win equals 3 points and each draw equals 1 ½ points.

First six rounds paired using your Blitz rating.  Quick rounds paired using your Quick rating.  Classical rounds paired using your regular rating.  Scoring carries over; for example if you had 4 points in the Blitz rounds you will be paired in the first Quick round with you having a score of 4.

PRIZES: $500 + trophy for 1st, $300 for 2nd.  $200 for 1st U1600.  The $1,000 prize fund is based on 40 paid entries.  Prizes increased with each entry over 40.  Everyone who completes all 12 rounds gets a commemorative medal.  Only 72 spots available so enter now!  Everyone is eligible for the cash, but only Texas residents are eligible for the TEXAS CHESS TRIATHLON State Championship Trophy.  Standard US Chess tiebreaks used if necessary. 

SECTIONS: One open section.

SCHEDULE: Round 1 at 9:30am Saturday the 25th of October 2025.  Following rounds ASAP.  45 minute lunch break between the Quick games and the Classical games.

ENTRY FEE: Early entry $55 by October 4th, regular entry $65 by October 22nd, late entry $80 by midnight October 24th.  $90 for on site entry.  Poison Pawn members $35 anytime.  GMs and IMs enter for free, entry fee deducted from any winnings.  Must be a member of both US Chess and the Texas Chess Association (TCA membership just $5 annually for “regular non-subscriber”).  Renew or join the Texas Chess Association at:  https://texaschess.org/memberships/ 

CANCELLATION:  You may cancel up to 24 hours before the beginning of round 1 and get a refund of what you paid minus $15, or you may apply the entire amount towards a future Poison Pawns entry fee.  

BYES: NO BYES except for zero point byes.  This is a Triathlon endurance format. Suck it up!

HOTEL INFO:  Holiday Inn Express, 3401 N. Main St., is less than a mile from The Studio. Phone 832-834-6197 and ask for The Houston Chess Studio discount, or if booking online use code ALDR9.  Also within a mile is the Heights House Hotel, an America’s Best Value, and a Luxury Inn.  Google them for info.

THE HOUSTON CHESS STUDIO is dedicated to providing a quality, high tech, chess playing experience for players of all levels, their parents and spectators.  Centrally and conveniently located at 250 Patton St., Suite H, Houston TX 77009.  Just inside North Loop 610 and just 2 blocks off North I-45.  There are 3 restaurants in the same strip center as The Studio: The Red Hot Noodle (Asian), Subway, and Patron Pizza.  Several others are within walking distance.  Plenty of FREE parking.

SCANNING  All players are subject to being scanned (“wanded”) in order to help prevent cheating.

OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS :

 https://www.kingregistration.com/affiliate/poisonpawns

QUESTIONS?  Contact Edgar at poisonpawnschessclub@gmail.com or 281-844-4139.