Tag: Houston

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81st Texas State & Amateur Championship (In Memory of Luis Salinas)

Event Overview

The tournament features two main sections, one-day Novice and Scholastic sections, and a Blitz side event. All players in the Championship section must have a FIDE ID, and foreign players must disclose their FIDE ID prior to Round 1.

The Championship section will be FIDE-rated and played under FIDE rules. US Chess ratings and rules will be used for pairings and prize eligibility. The May 2026 US Chess rating supplement will be used. Texas Chess Association membership is required for all players, including those from out of state.

Sections

Championship: FIDE & US Chess rated, 7SS, G/90+30

Amateur: US Chess rated, 7SS, G/90+30

Scholastic (Saturday only): 5SS, G/25+10, K-12

Novice (Sunday only): 5SS, G/25+10, U1400

Eligibility

Championship: Open to players rated 2000 or above (US Chess regular or FIDE), or those who have previously held a 2000+ rating. National invitational representatives are allowed to play in the Championship.

Amateur: Open to players rated under 2000 and unrated players.

Scholastic: Open to K-12 players.

Novice: Open to all ages under 1400 US Chess rating.

Open to all US Chess and TCA members. Foreign titled players (GM, IM, WGM, WIM) do not need US Chess membership.

Entry Fees

Championship & Amateur

$120 through May 1 (Early Bird)

$150 through May 20

$180 after May 20 

$200 onsite (registration closes 1 hour before Round 1)

GMs and foreign IMs free entry in Championship section

Other Sections & Discounts

Seniors (65+): $20 discount (use code: STILLGOTIT)

Scholastic: $30 ($50 onsite)

Novice: $80 ($100 onsite)

Re-entry: $40 (Amateur section only, available before the start of Round 3)

* Unrated players may play in Amateur or Novice section; however, in the Novice section they may only win 50% of the prizes awarded.  In the Amateur section, unrated players are eligible for the full prize awarded.

Prizes

Championship: 1st $3000 / 2nd $1500 / 3rd $750; Top 2200-2399 $500; Top U2200 $500; Top Female $300

Amateur (U2000): 1st $1000 / 2nd $750 / 3rd $500; Top Class B $350; Top Class C $350; Top Class D $350; Top Female $300

Novice (U1400): 1st $500 / 2nd $350 / 3rd $170; Top U1200/Unr $170; Top Female $160

Scholastic: PRIM, ELEM, MS, HS – Trophies to 4+ points. Top 2 Teams per section.

Forfeit Rule

Players in the Championship and Amateur sections who fail to appear within 30 minutes of round start forfeit the game unless the Chief TD otherwise provides for good cause. In all other sections, a player forfeits the game only if their time expires on the clock before they arrive.

Schedule

Championship/Amateur Sections (G/90+30)

Round 1 Options
Friday, May 22 – 7:00 PM (4-day schedule)
Saturday, May 23 – 10:00 AM (3-day schedule)

Remaining Rounds
Saturday, May 23
3:00 PM – Round 2
7:00 PM – Round 3

Sunday, May 24
10:00 AM – Round 4
3:00 PM – Round 5

Monday, May 25
10:00 AM – Round 6
3:00 PM – Round 7

Scholastic (Saturday, G/25+10, 5 Round Swiss)
10:00 AM – Round 1
12:00 PM – Round 2
2:00 PM – Round 3
4:00 PM – Round 4
6:00 PM – Round 5

Novice (Sunday, G/25+10, 5 Round Swiss)
10:00 AM – Round 1
12:00 PM – Round 2
2:00 PM – Round 3
4:00 PM – Round 4
6:00 PM – Round 5

Byes

Up to two 1/2-point byes are available if requested before the end of round 2 and before receiving a full-point bye, but 1/2-point byes for both rounds 6 and 7 are not permitted.

Side Events

Blitz: Friday 5/22/2026 7:30pm Blitz 5 Round Double Swiss G/3+2 time control. This is USCF rated. The entry fee is $30 ($50 onsite). Registration closes 1 hour before round 1. Regular rating will be used if you don’t have a Blitz rating. 2 sections Championship 1600+ and Reserve U1600.

Prizes (based on 20 entries): Championship: 1st $150, 2nd $75, Top U2000 $75; Reserve: 1st $125, 2nd $75.

Change Request Form (for section changes, name corrections, etc.)

All requests must be submitted through the form. Requests will not be accepted by email, text, phone, or in person; https://forms.gle/kC14F39Yp6NKo5Eb9

Other Rules and Information

Chess sets provided; bring your own clock
Notation required
Food and drinks are not allowed in the playing hall. Water is the only exception.
No electronic devices (except necessary medical equipment and clocks) in Championship and Amateur. Players in other sections may use electronic notation devices endorsed by US Chess.
Only players whose game is in progress, tournament directors and staff, TCA officers, and press are allowed in the hall during rounds.
Refunds available until May 15, 12:00pm, subject to a $25 fee.
Only Texas residents are eligible for state champion titles. Players requiring accommodations due to disability or religious reasons should contact the organizer as soon as possible, preferably at least two weeks before the tournament.

Hotel

Sheraton North Houston

15700 John F Kennedy Blvd, Houston TX 77032

Reserve Rooms: https://tinyurl.com/3be5hwhm

Online Registration

https://www.kingregistration.com/event/81SA

 Contact

admin@texaschess.org / Text: David Ortiz 832-908-5462

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Texas Chess Triathlon

TEXAS CHESS TRIATHLON

A TEXAS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT

SATURDAY OCTOBER 25, 2025

One-day tournament. 12 ROUNDS!  6 rounds of Blitz (G/5), followed by 4 rounds of Quick(G/20) and then by 2 rounds of Classical (G/90,d5).

For pairing purposes each win equals 1 point and each draw equals ½ point.  But for prize distribution each Blitz win equals 1 point and each draw equals ½ point; each Quick win equals 2 points and each draw equals 1 point; each Classical win equals 3 points and each draw equals 1 ½ points.

First six rounds paired using your Blitz rating.  Quick rounds paired using your Quick rating.  Classical rounds paired using your regular rating.  Scoring carries over; for example if you had 4 points in the Blitz rounds you will be paired in the first Quick round with you having a score of 4.

PRIZES: $500 + trophy for 1st, $300 for 2nd.  $200 for 1st U1600.  The $1,000 prize fund is based on 40 paid entries.  Prizes increased with each entry over 40.  Everyone who completes all 12 rounds gets a commemorative medal.  Only 72 spots available so enter now!  Everyone is eligible for the cash, but only Texas residents are eligible for the TEXAS CHESS TRIATHLON State Championship Trophy.  Standard US Chess tiebreaks used if necessary. 

SECTIONS: One open section.

SCHEDULE: Round 1 at 9:30am Saturday the 25th of October 2025.  Following rounds ASAP.  45 minute lunch break between the Quick games and the Classical games.

ENTRY FEE: Early entry $55 by October 4th, regular entry $65 by October 22nd, late entry $80 by midnight October 24th.  $90 for on site entry.  Poison Pawn members $35 anytime.  GMs and IMs enter for free, entry fee deducted from any winnings.  Must be a member of both US Chess and the Texas Chess Association (TCA membership just $5 annually for “regular non-subscriber”).  Renew or join the Texas Chess Association at:  https://texaschess.org/memberships/ 

CANCELLATION:  You may cancel up to 24 hours before the beginning of round 1 and get a refund of what you paid minus $15, or you may apply the entire amount towards a future Poison Pawns entry fee.  

BYES: NO BYES except for zero point byes.  This is a Triathlon endurance format. Suck it up!

HOTEL INFO:  Holiday Inn Express, 3401 N. Main St., is less than a mile from The Studio. Phone 832-834-6197 and ask for The Houston Chess Studio discount, or if booking online use code ALDR9.  Also within a mile is the Heights House Hotel, an America’s Best Value, and a Luxury Inn.  Google them for info.

THE HOUSTON CHESS STUDIO is dedicated to providing a quality, high tech, chess playing experience for players of all levels, their parents and spectators.  Centrally and conveniently located at 250 Patton St., Suite H, Houston TX 77009.  Just inside North Loop 610 and just 2 blocks off North I-45.  There are 3 restaurants in the same strip center as The Studio: The Red Hot Noodle (Asian), Subway, and Patron Pizza.  Several others are within walking distance.  Plenty of FREE parking.

SCANNING  All players are subject to being scanned (“wanded”) in order to help prevent cheating.

OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS :

 https://www.kingregistration.com/affiliate/poisonpawns

QUESTIONS?  Contact Edgar at poisonpawnschessclub@gmail.com or 281-844-4139.

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MLK Day Open

Rated 5SS in three sections, each with 2 schedules, offered by the Atlantic Chess Association over MLK weekend 2025. Read the description and register online:  https://caissachess.net/online-registration/index/5458

Location
Crowne Plaza Houston Galleria
7611 Katy Freeway
Houston, Texas 77024

Sections

  • Premier (FIDE rated)
  • U1900
  • U1500 

All sections are USCF-rated. The top section is also FIDE-rated and follows FIDE pairing rules.
To play in the Premier section,  your rating must have reached 1800 after any tournament within the past calendar year.

Schedule
FIVE Rounds at a time control of G/90 + 30. 

  • 3 Day Schedule: All games G/90+30
  • 2 Day Schedule: Rounds 1 and 2 are G/60;d5
  • Default/Forfeit Time: 1 hour
  • See the event website for all round times.
  • Limit two irrevocable half-point byes. Byes must be committed 1 hr before Round 2.

Prizes
$7500 in cash prizes based on 150 entries.

  • Premier (min rating 1800*): $1200-800-600-400-200, Class Prizes U2100 $250-150, Top Upset $200 (Total $$3800)
  • U1900: $800-600-400-200-100, Class Prizes U1700 $200-100 (Total $$2400) Unr limit $200
  • U1500: $600-300-200-100 (Total $$1200) Unr limit $200
  • Top Female Player (In any section): $100

Entry Fee

**Free entry to GM/IM/WGM/WIM if committed by December 22, 2024 (No deduction from prizes!)**
$120 by 12/22/24
$135 by 1/05/2025
$155 by 01/15/2025
$180 on or after 1/16/2025 (on-site registration closes 1 hour before Round 1).

Withdrawals are subject to a $15 processing fee

Registration link: https://caissachess.net/online-registration/index/5458

Other Notes
This tournament is USCF-rated. Your USCF membership should not expire before 1/31/2025.

Boards and pieces will be provided, but please bring your chess clock. Each player should have a chess clock to play. If you do not have one, chess clocks will be available for purchase onsite.

No electronic boards or notation devices permitted.

Hotel reservations with chess rate available. $89/night + taxes. Use this link OR Call (713) 680 2222. Last Day to get the chess rate is January 3rd 2025

Side Event: Blitz Tournaments on Saturday 01/18/25 at approx. 9 PM. Blitz details and registration: https://caissachess.net/online-registration/index/5459

Questions
Please contact director@atlanticchessassociation.com if you have any questions.

Please share our event flyer.

Main Event: ONLINE TLA!
Blitz Tournament: ONLINE TLA!

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2024 North/Central Texas Grade Championships

USCF rated, 6 round chess tournament to determine the state champion for each grade level! 13 sections offered (see below).

Players from Austin and SA are eligible for both the North/Central AND the South Grade Championships.  Players of any and all abilities are welcome to attend!

Individual and Team Standings (in tie-break order)
Rated Results (USCF)

Location
Sheraton North Houston IAH
15700 John F. Kennedy Boulevard Houston, Texas 77032

Sections
Note:  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.
USCF October Supplement regular ratings will be used.
USCF memberships/renewals will be handled at this tournament.
6 Round Swiss
Time Controls: Grades K-5th G45;d5 for round 1, all rounds afterward G60;d5.  Grades 6-12th, all rounds G60;d5

More information and Registration
For more information (awards, entry fees, optional hotel booking link, schedule, and side events) and to register, please visit the event website: https://www.kingregistration.com/event/TXGrades

Questions
If you still have questions after visiting the event website, please contact thechessrefinery@gmail.com, 281.698.0068 (text only – no calls, please).