Category: Upcoming Events
2025 AGCA Championship – Fall Edition
The Austin Grandmaster Chess Academy is hosting their Fall Championship October 10-12, 2025. USCF Membership required. Capacity: 100 players!
Location
Austin Grandmaster Chess Academy
12466 Los Indios Trail, Ste 100
Austin, TX 78729
Free parking provided!
Sections
SECTION A: 1800 + USCF and FIDE rated
SECTION B: 1400 – 1799 USCF rated
SECTION C: 1000 – 1399 USCF rated
SECTION D: U1000 USCF rated
**Players are not allowed to play up or down**
*USCF MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED*
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 Controls and Round Times
5SS, time controls determined by schedule and round
3-day Schedule:
Rounds 1-5: G/90; +30 (90 minutes per player with 30-second increment)
2-day Schedule:
Round 1: G/60; +10 (60 minutes per player with 10-second increment)
All Schedules:
Rounds 2-5: G/90; +30 (90 minutes per player with 30-second increment)
3-day Schedule
● 1st round: Friday, October 10, 7pm
2-day Schedule
● 1st round: Saturday, March 22, 9am
All Schedules
● 2nd round: Saturday, March 22, 1pm
● 3rd round: Saturday, March 22, 6:30pm
● 4th round: Sunday, March 23, 10am
● 5th round: Sunday, March 23, 3:15pm
● Closing ceremony for any section takes place after the last game finishes for that section.
NOTES: Half-point byes are acceptable for all rounds, limit 1. Must commit before the 1st round. Forfeit time for no-shows is 1 hour.
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. Any violators may be subject to disqualification and forfeiture.
ENTRY FEES:
● Early Bird: $100 by September 30th at 11:59 pm.
● $120 on or after October 1st (if space is available)
● Re-entry Fee: $40 (from 3-day to 2-day schedule) by 8am, October 11th. Please, email us at info@austin-chess.com to complete re-entry.
For additional questions, please contact us at info@austin-chess.com
Link for registration: https://austin-chess.com/tournaments/2025-agca-championship-fall-edition/
PRIZES:
● Section A : $1000, $500, $250
● Section B: $500, $250, $125
● Section C: $300, $150, $100
● Section D: $200, $150, $100
Medals will be awarded to the top 3 finishers in each section. USCF rules will be used for prizes.
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 $20 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.
3rd Austin Chess Tour: Junior Qualifier #3
We are hosting an In-Person USCF Rated Scholastic Tournament on October 25, 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:
● October 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/agca-summer-scholastic-1/ by 11:59pm, October 19, 2025
● $50 on or after October 20, 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.
Austin Chess Tour 3: Open Qualifier #2
The Austin Grandmaster Chess Academy is hosting an Open USCF Rated Tournament on September 27, 2025 from 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM. 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:
● September 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 September 21st at 11:59 pm.
● $60 on or after September 22nd (if space is available)
For additional questions, please contact us at info@austin-chess.com
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.
3rd Austin Chess Tour: Junior Qualifier #2
We are hosting an In-Person USCF Rated Scholastic Tournament on September 6, 2025 from 10:00 AM – 8:00 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:
● September 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/agca-summer-scholastic-1/ by 11:59pm, August 31, 2025
● $50 on or after September 1, 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.
ACC USCF G/90 Standard Swiss
USCF membership must not expire before Jul 31, 2022.
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.
This slow swiss takes place over 4 weeks, with games on September 7th, 14th, 20th, and 27th. G/90 with 30 sec. increment per move. 4 round Swiss. Sections dependent on turnout. EF: $20.00 all. Online registration and payment requested (coming soon).
Last chance registration to play all 4 rounds happens onsite 3:00-3:45pm on September 7th. No pre-registration for round 1 is necessary. Email pre-registration is accepted; however, online payment is preferred (coming soon)! If you email to register, you must show up and pay no later than 3:45pm! First round begins at 4pm. 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 Saturday, September 14th to secure a round 2 pairing.
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/.
ACC USCF Quick-rated G/24 Swiss
A one-day tournament on October 4, 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 (coming soon).
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 October 31, 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 (coming soon).
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.
91st Annual Southwest Open
Event website: https://www.kingregistration.com/event/91SWO
view the advance entry list: https://www.kingregistration.com/entrylist/91SWO
Register online today.
Overview:
International (FIDE norm) section: 9SS G/90 with 30 sec inc. Begins Thursday evening, August 28, 2025. (Specific details regarding USCF vs FIDE rules listed on event website.)
Remaining sections: 7SS G/60 with 30 sec inc. 4 sections, divided by rating. Begins Friday afternoon, August 29, 2025.
Venue:
Wyndham Garden McAllen, 1921 S 10th St, McAllen, TX 78503
956-994-0505
*For room rates mention banquet rates.
International Section:
Place Prizes: $3000 first, $1500 second, $500 third. 120 Enhanced Grand Prix Points.
Special Collegiate Prizes: $400 top college, $250 second, $150 third
Top college student earns title 2025-26 Southwest Collegiate Champion, plaque, and name engraved on trophy
Top female college student earns title 2025-26 Southwest Collegiate Women’s Champion and plaque
Collegiate team titles and collegiate women’s team titles also awarded
Armageddon playoff for tied college individual or women’s champion
College prizes stack with main prizes
All Other Sections:
Prizes: Points-based prizes as follows: $1000 for seven points, $750 for 6.5 points, $500 for six points, $200 for 5.5 points and $50 for five points.
All Players:
Birthday bonus: $25 for players with at least an even score whose birthday occurs during the tournament.
The four highest scores from all sections combined (except last two rounds of International) will be used for team awards. The top five teams receive four plaques each.
Forfeit Rule:
Players who fail to appear within 30 minutes of round start forfeit the game unless the Chief TD otherwise provides for good cause.
Schedule:
Available on the EVENT WEBSITE.
Entry fees:
International Section: $150 by June 30, $200 by July 30, $225 by August 15, $250 by August 22, $300 thereafter
**GMs and foreign IMs free entry in International section
All Other Sections: $75 by June 30, $100 by July 30, $115 by August 15, $125 by August 22, $150 thereafter
Play-up fee: $100 for International, $50 for other sections (waived if within 50 points)
Seniors (65+): $10 discount (use code: STILLGOTIT)
Onsite Registration: $25 additional fee (closes an hour before round one)
Register online today.
Side Events:
Texas Blitz Championship: The Blitz Championship will be six rounds with a G/5 time control. There will be two sections: Championship and U1600. This is rated. The entry fee is $25.
Texas Bullet Championship: The Bullet Championship will be nine double rounds (eighteen games total) with a G/1 time control. This is not rated. The entry fee is $15.
Texas Freestyle Championship: Freestyle, also known as Chess 960 or Fischer Random, is a chess variant where the starting position is randomized. The Freestyle Championship will be five rounds with a G/10 time control. This is not rated. The entry fee is $20.
Texas Puzzles Championship: TBD
General: The highest-ranking player(s) in each of the above tournaments (or the championship section thereof, if subdivided) will be declared state champions. Players are not required to compete in the main event. 70% of entry fees will be returned as prizes. Sections may be further subdivided or merged if appropriate due to turnout. The other rules for the main event apply unless the organizers otherwise provide.
TCA Annual Membership Meeting: This is a business meeting where members will hear reports from officers and vote on important business affecting the Association. All TCA members who are Texas residents and at least 16 years of age are voting members. Everyone is welcome to attend. An agenda will be posted on the TCA website at least two weeks in advance.
Questions: Contact David Ortiz, 832-908-5462 at admin@texaschess.org
Event website:
https://new.uschess.org/91st-southwest-open
2025 Texas State Grade Championships – North/Central
USCF rated, 6 round chess tournament to determine the state champion for each grade level! 13 sections offered (see below).
Location
Houston Marriott Westchase
2900 Briarpark Drive
Houston, TX 77042
Sections
Players must play in their current grade level. Playing up to a higher or down to a lower grade level is not permitted. Homeschoolers, please register for a section based on your age.
| • Kindergarten | • 7th Grade |
| • 1st Grade | • 8th Grade |
| • 2nd Grade | • 9th Grade |
| • 3rd Grade | • 10th Grade |
| • 4th Grade | • 11th Grade |
| • 5th Grade | • 12th Grade |
| • 6th Grade |
Basics
This is an official USCF-rated tournament open to all current USCF members that reside in Texas.
USCF rules and regulations will be strictly adhered to.
All players must have current USCF membership to play.
October Supplement USCF regular ratings will be used.
6 rounds (no elimination)
Sections determined solely by grade (age based for homeschoolers)
Time controls by round and grade:
Round 1: G45;d/5 (K-5) & G/60;d/5 (6-12).
Rounds 2-6: G/60;d/5 (K-12).
One half-point bye allowed
Awards
Trophies to top 8 individuals and top 5 teams in each section.
Top 3 players in the section are
added for team scores.
No more than two teams per school per grade may be entered. If entering
more than one team per grade, the teams must be predefined and may be paired against each
other.
More Info and Registration
More information and Registration
For more information (awards, entry fees, hotel suggestion, schedule) and to register, please visit the event website: www.dallaschess.com (look for the State Grades Banner!)
Questions
If you still have questions after visiting the event website, please contact Barbara Swafford, info@dallaschess.com.
Online TLA!