Category: Upcoming Events

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2026 Texas Thanksgiving Classic

Holiday Inn Austin Midtown, Texas

Friday, November 27, 2026 – Sunday, November 29, 2026

Event Overview

Austin Family Chess League – Classical Tournament #1

November 27–29, 2026 | 7 Rounds | Friday–Sunday

Sections:  Open(2100+) | U2100 | U1700 | U1300

Time Control: Round 1: G/60; d10  |  Rounds 2–7: G/90; +30

Schedule (3-Day only)

Friday(11/27):   R1 9:00 AM   R2 1:00 PM   R3 6:00 PM

Saturday(11/28):  R4 9:00 AM   R5 2:00 PM   Blitz Tournament 7:00 PM

Sunday(11/29):   R6 9:00 AM   R7 2:00 PM

Location
Holiday Inn Austin Midtown
6000 Middle Fiskville Road
Austin, TX

Entry Fee

  • $105 – Register by October 1
  • $135 – Register by November 1
  • $185 – Register by November 26
  • $200 – On-site registration

Special Benefits for Strong Players:

2200+ Players: Players rated 2200+ who register by October 1 will receive a full refund of their entry fee after completing all 7 rounds without taking a bye.

GM/IM: Grandmasters and International Masters who register by 10/1 will receive complimentary hotel accommodations.

Play-Up Rule

Players whose rating reaches within 100 points of the minimum rating for the next section at any time between 8/1 and 11/27 may play up one section by paying an additional $50 play-up fee.

Tournament Rules

This tournament is US Chess rated and is not FIDE rated. US Chess rules will apply. All players are required to bring their own chess set and clock. No electronic devices are permitted in the playing hall.

Withdrawal & Refund Policy

  • Withdrawal requested before November 1: Refund minus a $35 processing fee
  • Withdrawal requested November 1–25: Refund minus an $85 processing fee
  • No refunds after November 26

Hotel

Holiday Inn Austin Midtown – Tournament rate: $129 per night (breakfast for two guests is included). Free parking is available for all tournament participants. Hotel booking link will be available soon.

Prizes

Total Prize Fund: $2,960.  All prizes are guaranteed with 80 or more players. Players who qualify for more than one prize will receive the higher prize only. Prizes will be paid via PayPal.

OPEN Prize Fund: $1,285

1st $400 – 2nd $300 – 3rd $200 – 4th $100 – 5th $50 – 6th $30 – 7th $20 – 8th $10

Female: 1st $100 – 2nd $50 – 3rd $25

U2100 Prize Fund: $855

1st $300 – 2nd $200 – 3rd $100 – 4th $50 – 5th $30 – 6th $20 – 7th $10 – 8th $5

Female: 1st $80 – 2nd $40 – 3rd $20

U1700 Prize Fund: $525

1st $200 –  2nd $100 – 3rd $50 – 4th $30 – 5th $20 – 6th $10 – 7th $5 – 8th $5

Female: 1st $60 – 2nd $30 – 3rd $15

U1300 Prize Fund: $295

1st $100 – 2nd $50 – 3rd $30 – 4th $20 – 5th $10 – 6th $5 – 7th $5  – 8th $5

Female: 1st $40 – 2nd $20 – 3rd $10

Event Registration

Register Online or scan the QR code. If you have any questions, please email us at Click here to show mail address

Scan to register

Organizer Overview

Austin Family Chess League

Email: afcltournament@gmail.com

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2026 Texas Thanksgiving Blitz

Holiday Inn Austin Midtown, Texas

Saturday, November 28, 2026

Event Overview

AFCL – 2026 Blitz Tournament (USCF-Rated)


Schedule: Saturday, November 28, 6:00 PM–8:30 PM

Sections: Open(1700+) | U1700

Time Control: G/3+2
Format: 6 double rounds (12 games)

Location
Holiday Inn Austin Midtown
6000 Middle Fiskville Road
Austin, TX

Entry Fee

  • $15 – Register by October 1
  • $20 – Register by November 1
  • $25 – Register by November 27
  • $30 – On-site registration

Special Benefits for Strong Players:

2200+ Players: Players rated 2200+ who register by October 1 will receive a full refund of their entry fee after completing all 12 games without taking a bye.

Play-Up Rule

Players whose rating reaches within 100 points of the minimum rating for the next section at any time between 8/1 and 11/27 may play up one section by paying an additional $10 play-up fee.


Prizes

Open(1700+)
Overall: 1st $80 – 2nd $60 – 3rd $40 – 4th $20 – 5th $10
Female: 1st $40 – 2nd $20 – 3rd $10

U1700

Overall: 1st $60 – 2nd $40 – 3rd $20 – 4th $10 – 5th $5
Female: 1st $20 – 2nd $10 – 3rd $5

Players are eligible for only one prize, whichever is higher. Prize money is guaranteed with at least 20 players in each section. If there are not enough players, we reserve the right to cancel the  tournament or combine sections.

Blitz Registration

Register Online or scan the QR code. If you have any questions, please email us at Click here to show mail address

Scan to register

Organizer Overview

Austin Family Chess League

Email: afcltournament@gmail.com

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AGCA December Open

Register at : https://austin-chess.com/events/

Early entry $50 through 11/29; Regular entry $60 11/30-12/6; Late entry $75 from 12/7. Members save 15%!

Players are allowed to play up within 100 rating points for a $0.50/point fee. See registration website for other policies, including byes and cancellation.

U800

0 – 799

G/30; d5

6 Rounds

10:00 AM

U1200

800 – 1199

G/40; d5

5 Rounds

10:00 AM

U1600

1200 – 1599

G/40; d5

5 Rounds

10:00 AM

U2000

1600 – 1999

G/60; d5

4 Rounds

10:00 AM

2000+

2000+

G/60; d5

4 Rounds

10:00 AM

SCHEDULES:

Schedules vary by section, see tournament website for specific times

Prizes

  • 2000+: $400, $200, $100
  • U2000: $200, $100, $50
  • U1600: $100, $75, $50
  • U1200: Chess books
  • U800: Chess books
  • Play-up fees will directly be added to the prizes so they may be higher.
  • Medals for top 3 finishers in each section
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AGCA November Open

Register at : https://austin-chess.com/events/

Early entry $50 through 11/1; Regular entry $60 11/2-11/8; Late entry $75 from 11/9. Members save 15%!

Players are allowed to play up within 100 rating points for a $0.50/point fee. See registration website for other policies, including byes and cancellation.

U800

0 – 799

G/30; d5

6 Rounds

10:00 AM

U1200

800 – 1199

G/40; d5

5 Rounds

10:00 AM

U1600

1200 – 1599

G/40; d5

5 Rounds

10:00 AM

U2000

1600 – 1999

G/60; d5

4 Rounds

10:00 AM

2000+

2000+

G/60; d5

4 Rounds

10:00 AM

SCHEDULES:

Schedules vary by section, see tournament website for specific times

Prizes

  • 2000+: $400, $200, $100
  • U2000: $200, $100, $50
  • U1600: $100, $75, $50
  • U1200: Chess books
  • U800: Chess books
  • Play-up fees will directly be added to the prizes so they may be higher.
  • Medals for top 3 finishers in each section
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AGCA October Open

Register at : https://austin-chess.com/events/

Early entry $50 through 10/11; Regular entry $60 10/12-10/18; Late entry $75 from 10/19. Members save 15%!

Players are allowed to play up within 100 rating points for a $0.50/point fee. See registration website for other policies, including byes and cancellation.

U800

0 – 799

G/30; d5

6 Rounds

10:00 AM

U1200

800 – 1199

G/40; d5

5 Rounds

10:00 AM

U1600

1200 – 1599

G/40; d5

5 Rounds

10:00 AM

U2000

1600 – 1999

G/60; d5

4 Rounds

10:00 AM

2000+

2000+

G/60; d5

4 Rounds

10:00 AM

SCHEDULES:

Schedules vary by section, see tournament website for specific times

Prizes

  • 2000+: $400, $200, $100
  • U2000: $200, $100, $50
  • U1600: $100, $75, $50
  • U1200: Chess books
  • U800: Chess books
  • Play-up fees will directly be added to the prizes so they may be higher.
  • Medals for top 3 finishers in each section
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AGCA October Scholastic & Open Tour #1

Register at : https://austin-chess.com/events/

Early entry $40 through 9/20; Regular entry $50 9/21-9/27; Late entry $65 from 9/28

Players are allowed to play up within 100 rating points for a $0.50/point fee. See registration website for other policies, including byes and cancellation.

Scholastic U600

0 – 599

G/25; d5

6 Rounds

10:00 AM

Scholastic U1000

600 – 999

G/25; d5

6 Rounds

10:00 AM

Scholastic U1400

1000 – 1399

G/35; d5

5 Rounds

10:00 AM

Scholastic U1800

1400 – 1799

G/55; d5

4 Rounds

10:00 AM

Open 1800+

1800+

G/55; d5

4 Rounds

10:00 AM

SCHEDULES:

Schedules vary by section, see website for specific times

Prizes

  • Open Section:
  • 1st Place $300
  • 2nd Place $200
  • 3rd Place $100
  • 60% of Play-up fees will directly be added to the prizes so they may be higher.
  • Scholastic Sections:
  • Trophies for 1st Place
  • Medals for 2nd and 3rd Place
  • Books for the top finishers as well
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AGCA September Scholastic & Open Tour #2

Register at : https://austin-chess.com/events/

Early entry $40 through 9/13; Regular entry $50 9/14-9/20; Late entry $60 from 9/21

Players are allowed to play up within 100 rating points for a $0.50/point fee. See registration website for other policies, including byes and cancellation.

Scholastic U700

0 – 699

G/25; d5

6 Rounds

10:00 AM

Scholastic U1100

700 – 1099

G/25; d5

6 Rounds

10:00 AM

Scholastic U1500

1100 – 1499

G/35; d5

5 Rounds

10:00 AM

Scholastic U1900

1500 – 1899

G/55; d5

4 Rounds

10:00 AM

Open 1900+

1900+

G/55; d5

4 Rounds

10:00 AM

SCHEDULES:

Schedules vary by section, see website for specific times

Prizes

  • Open Section:
  • 1st Place $300
  • 2nd Place $200
  • 3rd Place $100
  • 60% of Play-up fees will directly be added to the prizes so they may be higher.
  • Scholastic Sections:
  • Trophies for 1st Place
  • Medals for 2nd and 3rd Place
  • Books for the top finishers as well
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AGCA September Open

Register at : https://austin-chess.com/events/

Early entry $50 through 9/6; Regular entry $60 9/7-9/13; Late entry $75 from 9/14. Members save 15%!

Players are allowed to play up within 100 rating points for a $0.50/point fee. See registration website for other policies, including byes and cancellation.

U800

0 – 799

G/30; d5

6 Rounds

10:00 AM

U1200

800 – 1199

G/40; d5

5 Rounds

10:00 AM

U1600

1200 – 1599

G/40; d5

5 Rounds

10:00 AM

U2000

1600 – 1999

G/60; d5

4 Rounds

10:00 AM

2000+

2000+

G/60; d5

4 Rounds

10:00 AM

SCHEDULES:

Schedules vary by section, see tournament website for specific times

Prizes

  • 2000+: $400, $200, $100
  • U2000: $200, $100, $50
  • U1600: $100, $75, $50
  • U1200: Chess books
  • U800: Chess books
  • Play-up fees will directly be added to the prizes so they may be higher.
  • Medals for top 3 finishers in each section
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2026 AGCA FIDE Fall Open

October 9 2026, 6:00 PM – October 12 2026, 7:00 PM

 All times are in Central Time (CT)

First 4 GMs to register get hotel conditions! 1200+ Rating Requirement Unless Playup Fee Paid. GM/IM/WGM/WIM entry refunded upon all rounds played.
Players are allowed to play up within 100 rating points for a $1.00/point fee.
Early Bird: $200.00 Through Sep 13, 2026
Regular: $250.00 Sep 14-Oct 3, 2026
Late Fee: $300.00 From Oct 4, 2026
Members save 15.00%!
 
Sections

2100+

2100+
G/90, increment 30
7 Rounds
FIDE Rated

 

U2100

1700-2099
G/90, increment 30
7 Rounds
FIDE Rated

 

U1700

1200-1699
G/90, increment 30
7 Rounds
FIDE Rated
 
Prizes
  • 2100+
  • 1st: $2500
  • 2nd: $1000
  • 3rd: $500
  • U2100
  • 1st: $1000
  • 2nd: $500
  • 3rd: $250

Schedule

R1 Friday 6:00pm
R2 Saturday 10:00am
R3 Saturday 4:00pm
R4 Sunday 10:00am
R5 Sunday 4:00pm
R6 Monday 9:00am
R7 Monday 3:00pm

 

 Rules
  • Cell phones must be turned off and put away during tournament games. Any phone that rings or is visible during a game will result in a forfeit.
  • Half-point byes are available for the first round only. Requests must be submitted before the start of the tournament.

Policies

  • Cancellations made 7+ days before the event receive a full refund.
  • Playup fee is non-refundable
  • Cancellations made within 7 days of the event receive a 50% refund.
  • No refunds for cancellations made within 24 hours of the start time.
  • No-shows will not receive a refund.

Contact

info@austin-chess.com

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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). Facebook event page HERE!

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