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Joust 2024: A Casual Chess Event

The Santa Rita Knights Chess Club in Liberty Hill is organizing JOUST 2024! 
A casual chess event for players of all ages and levels to connect, compete for prizes and celebrate the game of chess! 
On Saturday, April 6, from 2 pm until 5 pm, there will be a continuous pyramid ladder tournament going on and lots of opportunity to hang out and play chess, together.
See our flyer and share it with your friends!
Location: 
Freestyle Community Center
75 Seward Junction Loop 
Liberty Hill, TX 78642
Free parking on the property 
Sections: 
It will be a casual, continuous pyramid ladder tournament. 
When registered, you’ll be placed in the pyramid. Throughout the event, you get to challenge a person from a rung above you. If you win that game, you switch places in the pyramid. 
Win your way to the top of the pyramid and compete for prizes! 
Time Control: 
We’ll play 10 minute games with a 5 second increment. 
No notation required. 
Schedule: 
The ladder tournament is continuous, you can play any time between 2 pm and 5 pm. 
If you leave early and get challenged, you’ll forfeit your position in the pyramid to the challenger. 
The event is set up as a casual event, we have fun and we are good sports. 
Entry fees:
$15 to register for the event. 
http://freestylesportstexas.as.me/registerforjoust2024

Prizes:
There will be trophies! Organizer is trying to work with local business to get fun prizes sponsored. 

Cancellation/withdrawal/no-show: 
No refunds. We insist on being great stewards of the game and create a safe, inviting environment for everyone. 

Questions:
Jasper Eden, jasper@freestylesportstexas.com
Santa Rita Knights on Facebook

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Oh Boy Records – Unrated Chess Tournament

Description:  Oh Boy Records is offering a Free chess tournament open to the public.  All abilities welcome – fun for all levels. Pre-Registration required. (Number of entries will affect time controls).  Door prizes awarded! See our event flyer!

Registration:
Please preregister so we know how many players to expect!

Location:
Hattie B’s
2529 S Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78704

Time:
Arrive by 9:45am
Expected play: 10am – approx 12 noon

More Details:
We’re a record label coming down to Austin for SXSW. I and a few of the artists on the label like to play chess, so we thought it would be fun to put on a little event 3/13. It’s free and open to the public, but you have to preregister.

We havea a legit tournament director (although our tournament will be unrated), who is also bringing a titled player that I’m hoping we can talk into doing a simultaneous exhibition. For prizes we’ll have stuff like gift cards to Hattie B’s, Waterloo Records etc.

We hope you will join us!

-Jody

Questions:
Contact Jody Whelan,chess@ohboy.com

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International Women’s Day: Texas Queens Chess Tournament

Calling all women and girls! The Austin Grandmaster Chess Academy is hosting a tournament to celebrate International Women’s Day.  With USCF Rated Tournament and non-rated sections available, this event will be held on March 09, 2024 from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.  USCF Membership required for rated play.   Capacity: 40 players!

LOCATION:
Austin Grandmaster Chess Academy
7801 North Lamar Blvd
Suite A123
Austin, TX 78752
Free parking provided!

TOURNAMENT STYLE:
5SS, G/15, +5 – Women and girls only!
SECTION A*: USCF rated
SECTION B: Unrated
*USCF MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED to play in Section A*

RATING INFORMATION:
● March 2024 official USCF ratings will be used.
● Unofficial USCF ratings will be used if unrated .
● Players in Section A 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.

●  1st round: 10:00 AM
●  2nd round: 10:40 AM
●  3rd round: 1:20 AM
●  Lunch break: 12:00 PM
●  4th round: 12:30 PM.
●  5th round: 1:10 PM.
●  Closing ceremony: After the last game finishes – around 2pm.
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:
● Register at https://austin-chess.com/tournaments/women-day/ 
●  The tournament is free of charge and open the first 40 entries.
For additional questions, please contact us at info@austin-chess.com
Link for registration: https://austin-chess.com/tournaments/women-day/

PRIZES:
●  Section A: gift cards and other prizes to the top 3 finishers
●  Section B: gift cards and other prizes to the top 3 finishers
Sponsor: Kendra Scott

CANCELLATION POLICY: If you do not wish to participate in our tournament after registering, please email us at info@austin-chess.com asap so we can offer your spot to the next player in line!

WITHDRAWAL POLICY: If you would like to withdraw from the tournament after it begins, please alert the tournament director. 

Please contact us at info@austin-chess.com for any additional questions or concerns. 

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Chess For Trees 2023 Championship

The tournament will consist of a K-5 section and a K-12 section. There will be trophy prizes for both sections. The format of the tournament will be 5 Round Swiss – 15 minutes with 2 second increment. The tournament will be hosted on chess.com. You will need a chess.com account to play the tournament.  This tournament is NOT USCF rated.

Registration Fee: $15
Registration closes on December 7th at midnight.
Register online
 today!

Prizes
Top 3 in each section will receive trophies.  Number of trophies given out may increase based on the number of participants.

Fair Play
Tournament results will be finalized after 1-2 weeks in order to give chess.com time to do a fair play analysis. If chess.com determines you have cheated then you will not be eligible for any prizes and your chess.com account might be closed. Chess.com’s decision is final.

Technical Difficulties
Unfortunately due to the nature of virtual tournaments nothing can be done if you lose a match or face any other difficulties due to internet issues and other technical difficulties. Note: You will not be refunded for any loss due to technical difficulties.

More Instructions
Once you have registered and paid the registration fee of $15 please join the “Chess For Trees” club on chess.com. The club is private.

Note: Only people who have paid the registration fee will be admitted to the club.

On the day of the tournament sign into your chess.com account and go to https://www.chess.com/live and then on the tournaments tab you should see our tournament. Please join the tournament and wait for the rounds to start. The next round will start after all games are finished. The whole tournament will last for no more than 3-4 hours.

Please only join the tournament for your section, as if you fail to do this then you will end up playing the wrong section, and will not be counted for prizes

If you’re playing the K-12 section then join the 2023 Championship – K-12 tournament, and if you’re playing in the K-5 section join the 2023 Championship – K-5 tournament.

Please note:
Both sections will start at 11 AM CST on 12/09/2023.

Payment Information and Refund Policy
To pay for your tournament entry, please visit the event page. A payment link is located at the bottom. If the tournament is cancelled for any reason, all entries be refunded 100% . If you decide to withdraw your entry fee will be refunded as long as you contact the organizer by email no later than 12/07/23.

Contact Us:
If you have any questions please email us at chessfortrees@gmail.com

View our ONLINE  TLA!

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2023 Chess in the Park

Chess outdoors in Wooldridge park! Unrated 4 round G/20 tournament for all ages in 2 scholastic sections and one open section. Limited to the first 50 paid players. No elimination – play all rounds whether you win or lose! Online Registration is now closed, but ONSITE REGISTRATIONS will be accepted.

Weather update! Due to the high chance of rain and dropping temperatures, the tournament will be held at Dobie Mall!

Date
October 29, 2022

Alternative Location
Dobie Mall
2nd floor – Food Court
2021 Guadalupe St
Austin, TX 78705

Street and garage parking available.

Sections

  • Open
  • K-6
  • K-3

*Lower sections may be combined if registrations are low.
*All sections are unrated.  NO USCF membership required.
*Restricted to the first 50 players.

Rounds and Times

Four Rounds at a time control of G/20.

  • We play approximately noon – 5pm.
  • Registration & Check-in: 11:20am – 12:00noon
  • All pre-registered players must arrive before noon, or they may be ineligible to play in the first round.
  • We play approximately noon – 5pm.

Entry fee and Prizes:

  • Online entries: $13 – by Saturday, 10/21 at 11:59pm (online payment only).
  • Online entries: $17 – from Sunday, 10/22 to Saturday, 10/28 (5pm) (online payment only)
  • Onsite entries: $25 – Cash only. May receive a round 1 bye and begin play in round 2. 
  • Prizes– At least top 3 finishers in each scholastic section will receive a medal. Open section offers cash prizes.

Details

Space is available!  Register onsite between 11:20 and 11:45 to get 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!
  • Donations are accepted here for the Parks/Libraries Fund. Look for this
    fund on your City of Austin Utility Bill to donate again in the future.
  • Bring a folding chair, if you have one!!

Rain Location

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

The decision to move to Dobie Mall is final.

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

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Sunday Open Play at the Austin Grandmaster Chess Academy – Cancelled

Free Open Play was offered on Sundays thru 7/1/2024 at the Austin Grandmaster Chess Academy. No longer available. Please see our website for other opportunities.

Austin Grandmaster Chess Academy

 ***NEW ADDRESS!!!***
12466 Los Indios Trail
Suite 100
Austin, TX 78729-7934
Free parking provided!

Sunday Open Play is no longer available.  We hope to see you at one of our tournaments!

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

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St Andrews Chess Camp

Description: A full-day, week-long chess camp, hosted by St. Andrew’s Episcopal School at their Shoal Creek Campus from June 26-June 30, 2023.  The camp will be run by Gary Gaiffe and a team of local chess instructors. All scholastic players are invited to register!

Registration is now open!
Camp website: https://www.sasaustin.org/student-life/summer-camp-at-st-andrews-2023
Registration will be available at the link above.

Camp information
Camp dates: Camp week #5, June 26 – June 30, 2023.
Time: 9:00am-4:00pm
Price: $550
Location: 31st St. Campus
Teacher: St. Andrew’s Summer Camp Specialist, Gary Gaiffe
Target audience: kids grades 2 – 8

Chess Camp includes formal instruction and play, plus a camp-wide tournament at the end of the week! Beginners learn basic chess theory, game objectives, piece movement, game and tournament rules. Intermediates study chess analysis and decision-making, tactics, checkmate patterns and tournament strategies. Advanced students are taught more sophisticated chess techniques and decision-making, complex tactics, calculated and intuitive sacrifices, opening and endgame analysis.

Contact instructor Gary Gaiffe, ggaiffe@att.net, 512-426-7841 with questions as to camp content and appropriateness for your students.

For all other questions, including those regarding registration procedures, please contact the Summer Camp office, summercamp@sasaustin.org.

Please visit the camp website before making inquiries. The website covers the topics of early arrival and aftercare, drop-off and pick-up, lunch and supervision, student conduct, class sizes, cancellation policy, and covid guidelines.

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Inaugural Rapid Tournament and Simul with the Austin Grandmaster Chess Academy

The Austin Grandmaster Chess Academy will have a free simul vs GMs and tournament this weekend 2/26/2023 from 11-3pm.

We will have international masters and grand masters from Ukraine, Russia, France, as well as 3-time  intercollegiate national champions from UTRGV.

Register today for the free event! Enjoy the chess and free pizza!

To learn more about us, visit our website: https://austin-chess.com/

 

You can contact us at info@austin-chess.com

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2nd Annual Nathan’s Chess Tournament Fundraiser

Description:This is a fundraising tournament held on Sunday, February 26th with ALL proceeds going to support EKHLA students and their trip to Israel. There will be both Rated and Unrated (beginner/scholastic) sections along with food, concessions, vendors, silent auction, and lots of fun for all ages!

Location:
Congregation Agudas Achim
16550 Huebner Rd
San Antonio, TX 78248

Round times:
• 5 Rounds
• Rounds 1 starts at 12 PM

Time controls:
• Unrated (Beginner)  G/15
• Rated G/30; d5

Sections:
Unrated
Rated (requires a current USCF membership)

Prizes and more:
Trophies for the top 3 in each section
And lots of exciting prizes for others, too!
Vendors, food, and fun for all ages
This event is for ALL ages and ALL experience levels
Fun for the WHOLE family!

Entry fee:
Register online today: https://completechesseducation.com/event/2nd-annual-nathans-chess-tournament/
Regular Register (Until February 25th) – $20 Unrated, $30 Rated Registration On Site)- $30 Unrated
On Site Registration (Registration On Site)- $30 Unrated $40 Rated

Donations are also gratefully received! 

*Any refunds will be deducted a $7 fee for processing and transaction fees* Sorry no refunds after February 17th.

Questions:
Contact Jesse James Lozano of Complete Chess (completechess@gmail.com), [210] 393-3056  if you have questions about this event.

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Martin Luther King Jr
Scholastic Chess Tournament

Martin Luther King Jr Scholastic Chess Tournament on Saturday, January 14, 2023

Unrated 5SS in 5 sections. Download the event flyer!

Sections
Grades (K-1) (2-3) (4-5) (6-8) (9-12)

Check In
Please check in 8:45 – 9:45 am
At check-in, line up to verify names entered.

5 Rounds
Round one 10:30 am (Rounds are one hour each)
Round one subject to change to ensure correct pairings

Registration Guidelines
Names must be emailed by January 10, 2023 to: Lexfierros@yahoo.com
Entry Fee is $ $10
Cash or checks must be made out to: ET Wrenn Middle School
Pay by Credit Card will be available on site

Walk ons will get a 1st round bye unless registered by 9:00 a.m. at site.
Bring your chess sets in case of large turnout

Parents/Sponsors
This is an all day tournament.
Please bring folding or lawn chairs since seating is very limited.

There will be lots of food and drinks available from the concession stand.
Lunch is included!
Please note you may play “up” a level, but your score may not be used for the overall team for your actual grade level.

Prizes
Individual Trophies for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places in all sections.
Individual Medals thru 10th places in all sections.
Team Trophies for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places in all sections.
*To be considered a team there must be at least 4 players from the same school all playing within the same section*

Please submit the following information:

Send registration to: Lexfierros@yahoo.com

Student Name: _____________________________

School/Organization Name_____________________________

Grade Level (circle one)

Primer (Pk-1) Primary (2-3) Elementary (4-5) Middle (6-8) High (9-12)