Author: Sarah Brauner
Thursdays at Sideliners Grill (+Volleyball)
Wednesdays at Tommy Johns Tailgate (+Pickleball)
Tuesdays at Big’z Burger Joint
Mondays at Flying Saucer
Sundays at Black Rifle Coffee
Wednesday Blitz Night 10/22/25
The Austin Grandmaster Chess Academy is hosting a biweekly blitz tournament on Wednesday evenings for players aged 14+ or younger players with mature ratings (1800+). 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:
● October 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: 6:30 PM
● 2nd round: 6:45 PM
● 3rd round: 7:00 PM
● 4th round: 7:15 PM
● 5th round: 7:30 PM
● 6th round: 7:45 PM
● 7th round: 8:00 PM
● 8th round: 8:15 PM
● 9th round: 8:30 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-oct-22/
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.
Wednesday Blitz Night 10/8/25
The Austin Grandmaster Chess Academy is hosting a biweekly blitz tournament on Wednesday evenings for players aged 14+ or younger players with mature ratings (1800+). 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:
● October 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: 6:30 PM
● 2nd round: 6:45 PM
● 3rd round: 7:00 PM
● 4th round: 7:15 PM
● 5th round: 7:30 PM
● 6th round: 7:45 PM
● 7th round: 8:00 PM
● 8th round: 8:15 PM
● 9th round: 8:30 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-oct-8/
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.
Waco November Swiss
Registration is now open for the Waco November 1 Swiss.
Register here: https://forms.gle/Tyz43nfgWzTcS9Eg7.
See flyer below, and note from organizers: Since we’re not having a National Chess Day tournament in October, we’re having the special 4-section tournament in Nov.
4 Sections:
This is a special change from our regular sections. We only do these 4 sections occasionally.
*Please read the sections carefully.
- Championship (1800+)
- Under 1800 (1301-1799)
- Under 1300 (801-1299)
- Under 800 (0-799)
Thanks!
2025 Chris Riley Memorial Tournament at Wooldridge Square
Chess outdoors at Wooldridge Square Park! Unrated 4 round G/20 tournament for all ages in 2 sections: one K-12 and one open section. Limited to the first 40 paid players. No elimination – play all rounds whether you win or lose! Please dress appropriately as this is an outdoor event with only some tree shading.
Please register online and view entries at: https://caissachess.net/online-registration/index/7526
The late Chris Riley was a very dedicated and passionate supporter of introducing chess to the community. He volunteered on most Saturdays from 2003-2023 at Wooldridge Square Park, near his home in downtown Austin, to organize chess matches for all ages and abilities with a Giant Chess set kept at the park. This project that he co-founded helped attract people to a beautiful park that is underutilized for many enjoyable moments for the players as well as interested spectators.
Date
November 9, 2025 (Sunday)
Location
Wooldridge Square Park
900 Guadalupe St
Austin, TX
The park is at the corner of 9th and Guadalupe. Plenty of street parking is typically available.
Sections
- Open
- K-12
*Sections may be split if registrations are high.
*All sections are unrated. NO USCF membership required.
*Restricted to the first 40 players.
Rounds and Times
Four Rounds at a time control of G/20+5.
- We play approximately noon – 5pm.
- Registration & Check-in required: 11:20am – 11:45am.
- All pre-registered players must check in when they arrive, or they may be ineligible to play in the first round.
Entry fee and Prizes:
- Online entries: $12 – by Friday, 11/7 (5pm) (online payment only).
- Onsite entries: $20 – Sunday, 11/9 between 11:20 and 1:45am to receive a round 1 pairing.
- No refunds for withdrawals requested after online registration closes (5pm 11/7). Email to withdraw.
- Onsite entries: $20 – Cash or Venmo only. May receive a round 1 bye and begin play in round 2.
- Prizes: Top finishers in K-12 section will receive a medal. Open section offers cash prizes.
Details
Space is available! Register onsite between 11:20 and 11:45 to receive 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.
- Bring a water bottle and a folding chair, if you have one (for your players AND any spectators)!
Rain Location
If there is inclement weather predicted, the tournament will be held at the Dobie Mall food court – Guadalupe and 21st on the 2nd level.
Questions
For registration questions, please email
Sarah Brauner austinchesstournaments@gmail.com
For all other event questions, please email
Gary Gaiffe ggaiffe@att.net
Organized by Rocks & Rooks