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2026 Chris Riley Memorial Tournament at Wooldridge Square

Chess outdoors at Wooldridge Square Park! Unrated 4 round G/20 tournament for all ages in 2 sections: one K-12 and one open section. Limited to the first 40 paid players. No elimination – play all rounds whether you win or lose! Please dress appropriately as this is an outdoor event with only some tree shading.

Register online HERE and view entry list HERE

The late Chris Riley was a very dedicated and passionate supporter of introducing chess to the community. He volunteered on most Saturdays from 2003-2023 at Wooldridge Square Park, near his home in downtown Austin, to organize chess matches for all ages and abilities with a Giant Chess set kept at the park.  This project that he co-founded helped attract people to a beautiful park that is underutilized for many enjoyable moments for the players as well as interested spectators.

Date
November 1, 2026 (Sunday)

Location
Wooldridge Square Park
900 Guadalupe St
Austin, TX

The park is at the corner of 9th and Guadalupe.  Plenty of street parking is typically available.

Sections

  • Open
  • K-12

*Sections may be split if registrations are high.
*All sections are unrated.  NO US Chess membership required.
*Restricted to the first 40 players.

Rounds and Times

Four Rounds at a time control of G/20+5.

  • We play approximately noon – 5pm.
  • Registration & Check-in required: 11:20am – 11:45am.
  • All pre-registered players must check in when they arrive, or they may be ineligible to play in the first round.

Entry fee and Prizes:

  • Regular entries: $12 – by 5 pm on Friday, 10/30 (online payment only).
  • Last Chance entries: $20 – starting 5 pm Friday 10/30
  • Onsite entries: $20 – Sunday, 11/1 between 11:20-11:45a to receive a round 1 pairing. After 11:45, may receive a round 1 bye and begin play in round 2. 
  • No refunds for withdrawals requested after 5 pm on Friday 10/30. Email to withdraw.
  • Prizes: Top finishers in K-12 section will receive a medal. Open section offers cash prizes.

Details:

  • Boards and Sets supplied!
  • NO US Chess Membership necessary. 
  • NO Notation required. Feel free if you wish to bring pen and paper, but these are quick games.
  • Bring a water bottle and a folding chair, if you have one (for your players AND any spectators)!

Rain Location:

If there is inclement weather predicted, the tournament will be held at the Dobie Mall food court – Guadalupe and 21st on the 2nd level.

Questions:

For registration questions, please email Sarah Brauner at austinchesstournaments@gmail.com

Organized by Rocks & Rooks

Posted on

2024 Chris Riley Memorial Wooldridge Square -Park Chess Tournament

Chess outdoors in Wooldridge park! Unrated 4 round G/20 tournament for all ages in 2 sections: one K-12 and one open section. Limited to the first 40 paid players. No elimination – play all rounds whether you win or lose! Please dress appropriately as this is an outdoor event with only some tree shading.

Please register onsite!

View the Advance Entries.

The late Chris Riley was a very dedicated and passionate supporter of introducing chess
to the community. He volunteered on most Saturdays from 2003 – 2023 at Wooldridge Square Park,
near his home in downtown Austin, to organize chess matches for all ages and abilities with a Giant Chess
set kept at the park.  This project that he co-founded helped attract people to a beautiful park that is underutilized for many enjoyable moments for the players as well as interested spectators.

Date
November 3, 2024

Alternative Location
Wooldridge Park
9th and Guadalupe
near Downtown
Austin, TX

The park is on the corner of 9th and Guadalupe.  Plenty of street parking is available.

Sections

  • Open
  • K-12

*Sections may be split if registrations are high.
*All sections are unrated.  NO USCF membership required.
*Restricted to the first 40 players.

Rounds and Times

Four Rounds at a time control of G/20.

  • We play approximately noon – 5pm.
  • Registration & Check-in required: 11:20am – 11:45am.
  • All pre-registered players must check in when they arrive, or they may be ineligible to play in the first round.

Entry fee and Prizes:

  • Online entries: $12 – by Friday, 11/1 (5pm) (online payment only).
  • Onsite entries: $20 – Sunday, 11/3 between 11:20 and 1:45am to receive a round 1 pairing. 
  • No refunds for withdrawals requested after online registration closes (5pm 11/1). Email to withdraw.
  • NO EMAIL entries or requests from Friday 5pm 11/1 onward.  Registrar is traveling!
  • Onsite entries: $20 – Cash or Venmo only. May receive a round 1 bye and begin play in round 2. 
  • Prizes: Top finishers in K-12 section will receive a medal. Open section offers cash prizes.

Details

Space is available!  Register onsite between 11:20 and 11:45 to receive a 1st round pairing!

  • Boards and Sets supplied!
  • NO US Chess Membership necessary. 
  • NO Notation required. Feel free if you wish to bring pen and paper, but these are quick games!
  • Bring a folding chair, if you have one (for your players AND any spectators)!!

Rain Location

If there is inclement weather predicted, the tournament will be held at the Dobie Mall food court – Guadalupe and 21st on the 2nd level.

Questions

For registration questions, please email
Lori Balkum, (registrar@austinchesstournaments.com)
For all other event questions, please email
Gary Gaiffe, (ggaiffe@att.net)

Organized by Rocks & Rooks