Tag: Saturday

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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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Waco November Swiss

Registration is now open for the Waco November 1 Swiss.

Register here:  https://forms.gle/Tyz43nfgWzTcS9Eg7. 

See flyer below, and note from organizers: Since we’re not having a National Chess Day tournament in October, we’re having the special 4-section tournament in Nov. 

4 Sections: 

This is a special change from our regular sections.   We only do these 4 sections occasionally.

*Please read the sections carefully.

  • Championship (1800+) 
  • Under 1800 (1301-1799)
  • Under 1300 (801-1299)
  • Under 800 (0-799)

Thanks!

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GT School Chess Tournament 10/25/25

Scholastic chess tournament in multiple sections to be held on October 25, 2025. G/30, +5 inc. Prizes include chess lessons, books, and more!

Registration is open! Click here: https://caissachess.net/online-registration/index/7630

Basics

USCF rated chess tournament on October 25th in multiple RATED scholastic sections: K-1 U400, K-3 U600, K-5 U800,  K-12 U1000, and K-12 Elite (for players rated 950+).

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 if available, and notation. K-3 and younger sections are excused from taking notation. Please review the Parent/Coach Responsibilities before registering

Location

Austin Southpark Hotel
4140 Governors Row
Austin, TX 78744

Eligibility

This is a rated tournament. You must have a US Chess ID, which can be purchased or renewed online with US Chess in advance of registration) . You can verify your 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 October 31, 2025.

“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: October 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 September 17th will not affect your October supplement rating, as those events takes place after October 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!
9:00 a.m. Chess Control opens for onsite registration.  Onsite registrations after 9:30am accepted, but must start play in round 2.
9:45 a.m Announcements begin. Players and coaches should be present.
10:00 a.m. Rd 1 begins. Four rounds, G/30, +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 – 11:45am, rd 3 – 1:30 pm, rd 4 – 3:15 pm
Awards as each section finishes and results are calculated.

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

Chess Lessons, chess books, and more!

Registration Information

Entry Fee: $35

Withdrawals requested via email before online registration closes (midnight on Wednesday 10/22/25) are eligible for a refund (minus a $10 service fee). No exceptions. No refunds for US Chess memberships after purchased from US Chess. 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 10/24/2025. 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.

The organizer will have a photographer/videographer present during the event. By registering and attending, you give consent for photos and videos to be used by GT School for recruitment materials. 

Organized by 

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Open Section at the 2025 Fall NYOS Scholastic Chess Tournament

5USCF rated chess tournament on November 1, 2025 for adults and more advanced scholastic players. 4 round Swiss at G/45 +5.

Registration is open! Click here: https://caissachess.net/online-registration/index/7432

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, we reserve the right to split into two sections.

Location

NYOS Charter School
12333 N Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78753

Eligibility

All adults
Any youth who have reached at least 1300 by the November 2025 USCF supplement.
Ineligible entries will be moved to the appropriate scholastic section of the 2025 Fall NYOS Scholastic Chess 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. Players new to tournament chess are welcome to play. Your USCF membership cannot expire before November 30, 2025.

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!
9:00 a.m. Open section begins. Open has 4 rounds, all rounds are are G/45, +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 Section:
rd 1 – 9:00am, rd2 – 11:00am, rd3 – 1:30pm, rd4 – 3:30pm

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 TBA.  Only water bottles allowed at the chess board.

Awards

Cash prizes (to winners in both sections, in the case of multiple sections), based on number of entries. Special trophies will be awarded to the highest scoring Family & Child teams  (Uncles, Aunts, Adult siblings, Parents, or Grandparents paired with at least one scholastic aged player.). 

Registration Information

Entry fee pricing is staggered and based on date of entry/payment. 

*youth – $35/adult – $25 thru Saturday, 10/11/2025.
*youth – $45/adult – $35 thru Saturday, 10/25/2025.
*Late entry youth-$50 / adult – $40 begins Sunday, 10/26/2025 and ENDS at midnight on Wednesday 10/29/25, at which time online entry closes.
*If space permits, onsite registration on Saturday, 11/1/25 will be permitted, $50 regardless of age. Cash or venmo only. First round play requires registration and payment before 8:45am.

Withdrawals requested via email before midnight on Wednesday 10/29/25 are eligible for a refund (minus a $10 service fee). No exceptions. NO email/phone entries.

If you need byes, request them 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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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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October Octagons + Open

October Octagons + Open

In-Person USCF Rated Tournament 

 

October 4, 2025

12466 Los Indios Trail, Ste.100

Austin, TX 78729

* USCF Membership Required *

Free Parking Provided 

Capacity: 100 players

 

SECTIONS:

SECTION A: 1400+ USCF rated Octagons

SECTION B: 1000 – 1399 Open USCF rated 

SECTION C: 600 – 999 Open USCF rated

SECTION D: U600 Open USCF rated

 

The tournament will consist of two different formats:

Octagon Format: Section A will be divided into groups of 8 players based on currrent Monthly official USCF Ratings with swiss-system pairings.

Open Tournament Format: Sections B – D will be run as a normal swiss-system tournament

**If there is an odd number or not a multiple of 8, it is the Tournament Director’s discretion to group players accordingly**

**Players are not allowed to play up or down** 

 

ENTRY FEES: 

Early Bird: $50 by September 21, 2025 by 11:59pm 

$60 on or after September 22, 2025

Top 2 highest rated players of the whole tournament will receive a guaranteed entry fee reimbursement if they complete all 3 rounds

 

PRIZES: 

Section A: $250 for first place in each octagon 

Section B: $150, $100, $50 + Medals

Section C: $100, $75, $50 + Medals

Section D: Chess books + Medals

 

 

TIME CONTROL: 

Section A: G/75, d5 (75 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)

 

Schedule

SECTIONS A (All Octagons):

1st round: 10:00 AM

2nd round: 1:00 PM

3rd round: 4:00 PM

SECTIONS B and C:

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

SECTION D:

1st round: 10:00 AM

2nd round: 11:15 AM

3rd round: 12:30pm

Lunch Break: 1:30 PM

4th round: 2:30 PM

Closing ceremony for each section will take place after the final round of 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.  Please leave your phone at home, in your car, or turned off (vibrate/silent not acceptable) on top of your table. 

Any violators may be subject to disqualification and forfeiture. 

 

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.

 

For additional questions, please contact us at info@austin-chess.com

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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 – 9:00am, rd 2 – 11:00am, rd 3 – 12:45 pm, rd 4 – 2:30 pm, rd 5 – 4:00 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)