The Open and K-12 Sections held in conjunction with the Rocks & Rooks scholastic chess tournament on January 24, 2026. The first major Rocks & Rooks event of 2026! This USCF rated chess tournament is for adults and more advanced scholastic players.
Register HERE! When you click the link, scroll to the bottom for registration.
Basics
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 USCF rules including: touch-move, mandatory clocks (bring your own if at all possible), and mandatory notation. If registrations exceed 32 in any one section, we reserve the right to split into two sections.
Location
Paragon Prep
7944 Great Northern Boulevard
Austin, TX 78757
Eligibility
Open Section:
All adults
Any youth who have reached at least 1200 on the January 2026 USCF supplement (exceptions made for live ratings).
K-12 Elite:
Any youth rated between 950 and 1299 on the January 2026 USCF supplement (exceptions made for live ratings).
Ineligible entries will be moved to the appropriate ‘under’ scholastic section of the Paragon Prep January 2026 Scholastic Tournament
This is a rated tournament. You must have a USCF ID and your membership (can be purchased/renewed at check out or online with the USCF in advance of registration) . You can verify your USCF membership ID and expiration by visiting the USCF’s Member Services Area. Anyone can become a USCF member. Adults new to tournament chess are welcome to play in the open section. Youth players MUST have a ratings-history. Your USCF membership cannot expire before January 31, 2026. USCF memberships can be renewed/purchased at check-out.
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!
8:45 a.m. K-12 Elite begins
9:15 a.m. Open sections begin. Open has 4 rounds of G/45,+5; K-12 Elite has 5 rounds of G/40, +5.
No changes for round 1 (bye or section) allowed after online registration closes. Requests for byes, withdrawals, player info edits be made onsite with your chief TD and go into effect as of round 2.
Approximate Round Times
Open and K-12 Elite Sections*:
Open (4 rounds):
rd 1 – 9:15am, rd 2 – 11:10am, rd 3 – 1:30pm, rd 4 – 3:30pm
K-12 Elite (5 rounds):
rd 1 – 8:45am, rd 2 – 10:35am, rd 3 – 12:25pm, rd 4 – 2:15pm, rd 5 – 4:00pm
(Sections will play in separate rooms.)
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.
Concessions will be offered for purchase. You may bring your lunch and snacks. Only water bottles allowed at the chess board.
Awards
Open section:
Cash prizes based on number of entries. Special trophies will be awarded to the highest scoring Family & Child teams (Uncles, Aunts, Siblings, Parents, or Grandparents paired with at least one scholastic aged player.).
K-12 Elite:
Trophies to top finishers. Medals to positive scores not receiving a trophy. Trophies to top teams.
Registration Information
*$40 (youth) /$30 (adult) thru Saturday, 12/20/2025
*$50 (youth) /$40 (adult) thru Saturday, 1/10/2026
*$55 (youth) /$45 (adult) as of Sunday, 1/11/2026 and ENDS at 5pm on Thursday 1/22/26, at which time online entry closes.
*$65 (youth) / $50 (adult) Late entry (after regular online entry closes), IF space is available. Link will be available from the time regular online entry closes thru 9:30am Saturday 1/24/2026. All scholastic late entries receive a 1/2pt bye in round 1, and begin play in round 2. Open section first round play requires registration and payment before 8:45am Saturday.
Withdrawals requested via email before midnight on Wednesday 1/21/26 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.
*K-12 Elite: Deadline to add or remove a 1st round requested bye is 9am Friday 1/23/2026. All 1/2-point byes must be requested or removed before the end of round 2. After 9am Friday, please make all changes and requests onsite at Chess Control.
*Open section: Will be paired onsite. Round 1 changes must be made no later than 8:45am.
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).
View the ONLINE TLA!