Category: Upcoming Events

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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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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

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3rd Austin Chess Tour: Open Qualifier

The Austin Grandmaster Chess Academy is hosting an Open USCF Rated Tournament on November 15, 2025 from 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM.  USCF Membership required.   Capacity: 80 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:
● 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.

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 POSSESS CELL PHONES DURING THE TOURNAMENT. Any violators may be subject to disqualification and forfeiture.

ENTRY FEES:
●  Early Bird: $50  by November 9th at 11:59 pm.
●  $60 on or after November 10th (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-4/

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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December Major – Complete Chess

Join us in December Major Rated Chess Tournament! Sharpen your skills and compete with top players. Don’t miss out!

Date and time

Saturday, December 13 · 10am – 5pm CST

Location

Complete Chess

6391 De Zavala Road #Ste 113 San Antonio, TX 78249

Description: This is a USCF rated swiss chess tournament open to all chess players. There will be 4 rounds with 3 sections all held on December 13th.1/2 point bye available for any round if notified before Round 2 is paired. No last round byes.

LIMIT 40 PEOPLE FOR THIS EVENT.

Sections and Prizes:

*50% guaranteed in prizes based on 30 entries. 50% guaranteed payout.

*One prize per person*

$1000 in Prizes

Three sections prizes.

(Championship) 1500+

• $300-$150

(Reserve) U1500

• $200-$100

(Novice) U1000

• $200-$100

Round times and Time Controls:

• All rounds G/40;d5

• Registration at 9:00-9:45 am if not done online.

• Rounds 1: 10:00am

• Rounds 2: 11:30am

• Lunch Break: 1:00pm

• Rounds 3: 2:00pm

• Rounds 4: 3:30pm

Entry fee: $50 if received before online before the tournament, $60 for on-site registration and may have to take 1st round bye. Masters play for free as well as first 3 experts (2000 USCF). Contact services.completechess@gmail.com

**All winnings will be sent via check. Please ensure your shipping address and the name for the check are accurately provided during the registration process.

**No refunds after December 6th. All refunds will be charged a $7 processing and transaction fee.

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Turkey Shoot Chess Tournament 2025

Description: This is a USCF rated swiss chess tournament open to all chess players. There will be 5 rounds in total with 2 schedules offered. The two-day schedule will be on November 22nd, and 23rd, while the three-day schedule will be the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd. 1/2 point byes available for any round if notified before Round 2 is paired. No last round byes.

LIMIT 100 PEOPLE FOR THIS EVENT.


Round times (Two day schedule):
• Registration at 9:00-9:45 am if not done online.
• Rounds 1, 2, & 3 starts promptly on November 22nd at 10:00am, 2:00pm, and 6:30pm.
• Rounds 4 & 5 starts promptly on November 23rd at 10:00am and 2:30pm.

Time controls (Two day schedule):
• Rounds 1 & 2: G/60;d5
• Rounds 3, 4, & 5: G/90+30 sec.

Round times (Three day schedule): ($30 re-entry Available)
• Registration at 5:00-5:45 pm if not done online.
• Rounds 1 starts promptly on November 21st at 6:00pm.
• Rounds 2, & 3 starts promptly on November 22nd at 2:00pm, and 6:30pm.
• Rounds 4 & 5 starts promptly on November 23rd at 10:00am and 2:30pm.

Time controls (Three day schedule):
• All Rounds: G/90+30 sec

Entry fee:
Masters play for free if signed up before November 3rd. The first 3 GM’s get a free hotel day!

$60 if received before October 15th, $75 before November 10th, $90 till November 21st (day of event) and may have to take 1st round bye. (King & Adult members play for free. Knights get $10 off. Must register online. Entry fee deducted from winnings)

Sections and Prizes:

Championship (1800+)

Overall: 1st $600 / 2nd $250

Expert (2000–2199): 1st $100

Class A (1800–1999): 1st $100

Reserve (U1800)

Overall: 1st $600 / 2nd $300

Class C (1400–1599): 1st $100

Class D/Unrated (U1400): 1st $100

Novice (U1200)

Overall: 1st $600 / 2nd $250

Section Total = $850

CANCELLATION POLICY: If you do not wish to participate in our tournament after paying the entry fee, please email us at CompleteChess@gmail.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.

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3rd Austin Chess Tour: Junior Qualifier #4

We are hosting an In-Person USCF Rated Scholastic Tournament on November 8, 2025 from 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM.  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:
● November 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/45, d5 (45 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-Round Swiss System Schedule 
Time Controls vary by section (because of the time control being used).  Please see the event website or online TLA for a full list of round times.
●  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: $40 at https://austin-chess.com/tournaments/act-3-junior-qualifier-4/  by 11:59pm, November 2, 2025
●  $50  on or after November 3, 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. 

View the Online TLA!

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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.