Category: Upcoming Events

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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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2025 Fall NYOS Scholastic Chess Tournament

Scholastic chess tournament in multiple sections to be held on November 1, 2025. G/25, +5 inc. Trophies and medals awarded.

Registration is open! Click here: https://caissachess.net/online-registration/index/7386

Basics

USCF rated chess tournament on November 1st in multiple RATED scholastic sections: K-3 U400, K-3 U700, K-5 U600,  K-5 U1000,  6-12 U600, 6-12 U1000, and K-12 Elite (for players rated 950-1399). Please note: all scholastic players rated 1400 and over must play in the Open section. View the Advance Entry List online. Please note, at the event pairings will be posted only online.  

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 US Chess 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

NYOS Charter School
12333 N Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78753

Eligibility

This is a rated tournament. You must have a USCF ID and your membership can be purchased/renewed online with US Chess in advance of registration. You can verify your US Chess membership ID and expiration by visiting the US Chess Member Services Area. Anyone can become a USCF member. Players new to tournament chess are welcome to play. Your US Chess membership cannot expire before November 30, 2025. (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. JTPs ok in K-3 sections only.)

“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 so we can offer more prizes. Sections with fewer than 20 entries may be merged into a similar section to provide optimal pairings and competition.

Please note: November 2025 ‘Regular’ OTB ratings will be used for pairing purposes. If no regular rating is available, then other USCF ratings (quick, blitz, online) can and will be considered for section placement.  Requests to play down will not be honored. FYI: Any event that is rated after October 15th will not affect your November supplement rating, as those events takes place after November ratings are calculated.

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!
8:00 a.m. Chess Control opens for onsite registration.  Onsite registrations before 9:30am accepted, but must start play in round 2.
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/25, +5.
9:00 a.m. Open section (different event allowing adults) begins. Open has 4 rounds, all rounds are are G/45, +5.
9:15 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Chess control open for event issues. 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.

Approximate Round Times

Scholastic Sections:
round 1 – 10:00am, rd 2 – 11:30am, rd 3 – 1:30 pm, rd 4 – 1:30 pm, rd 5 – 3:00 pm
Awards in the cafeteria as each section finishes.

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 details coming soon.  Only water bottles allowed at the chess board.

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 Family & Child teams (Uncles, Aunts, Adult siblings, Parents, Grandparents, or coach paired with at least one scholastic aged player.)

Registration Information

*$35 thru Saturday, 10/11/2025.
*$45 thru Saturday, 10/25/2025.
*Late entry $50 begins Sunday, 10/26/2025 and ENDS at midnight on Wednesday, 10/29/2025, at which time online entry closes.
*$60 Onsite entry receives 1/2pt bye in round 1, and begins play in round 2.

Withdrawals requested via email before online registration closes (midnight on Wednesday 10/29/25) are eligible for a refund (minus a $10 service fee). No exceptions. 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 10/31/2025. All 1/2-point byes must be requested/removed before the end of round 2.

Email Sarah Brauner, registrar (austinchesstournaments@gmail.com) with other questions. No phone calls, please. Emails will be returned promptly.

Organized by Rocks & Rooks. Gary Gaiffe, tournament organizer (ggaiffe@att.net)

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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.

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ACC USCF Quick-rated G/24 Swiss

A one-day tournament on November 8, 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.

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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. 

View the Online TLA!