USCF rated swiss chess tournament on January 9-11, 2026. We offer 6 sections and a guaranteed prize fund of $7000 and 30 Grand Prix Points. There will be 5 rounds in total with two schedules. The top 3 sections are FIDE rated.
Player reminder email will be sent on Thursday 1/8/26.
Onsite notes:
No outside food in the restaurant, please. Food from home can be eaten in the skittles room, but please give seating priority to players reviewing games. The hotel plans to provide sandwich/snack options during the event.
LIMIT 80 players in any single section.
NEW Location
Courtyard by Marriott Austin Pflugerville and Pflugerville Conference Center
16100 Impact Way
Pflugerville, TX 78660
View the Advance Entry List.
Online registration is requested.
Discounted group room rate here: Hotel Booking Link Coming Soon
Please support the tournament by staying at the event hotel!
Round Times
3-DAY
Round 1: Friday, 7:15pm (G/90, +30)
2-DAY
Round 1: Saturday, 9:30am (G/60, +10) (*Games in this round will not be FIDE rated*)
ALL PLAYERS (G/90, +30):
Round 2: Saturday, 1pm
Round 3: Saturday, 6:30pm
Round 4: Sunday, 10:00am
Round 5: Sunday 3:15pm
*Reentry: from 3-day to 2-day round 1 is available for a $40 fee. For reentry into round 1, contact us no later than 8:30am, the Saturday of the event.
*Forfeit time for all rounds and sections is 60 minutes. Please contact us (Sarah Brauner austinchessclub@austinchesstournaments.com) if you are running late for any round or wish to withdraw. Phone number will be posted onsite and provided via email to players prior to round 1.
Byes
One 1/2 point bye allowed.
*Deadline to request/remove half-point byes: Saturday 6pm, or before round 2 ends (whichever comes first for your section)
*Deadline to request/remove zero-point byes/withdraw: before your section is paired for the affected round
Registration and Fees
All registration and payment happens online.
Entry fees:
- $79 early bird pricing if received by Saturday, 12/6/2025, 11:59pm CST
- $99 thru the Saturday before the tournament (01/03/2026), 11:59pm CST
- $130 on Friday and onsite, IF space available. Any registrations for the 3-day schedule made after 5:45pm Friday 1/9/26 receive a 1st round bye. Any registrations for the 2-day schedule made after 8:30am, Saturday 1/10/2026 receive a 1st round bye.
- ALL Novice (U1000 section) rates will be $20 lower at checkout. If you register for the Novice (U1000 section) and have to be moved, you will owe the $20 balance before round 1play. All withdrawal deadlines and service fees apply if you do not make the additional payment.
Online registrations and online payment are requested. Please contact the registrar (austinchessclub@austinchesstournaments.com) to request help or accommodations.
Titled players (IM/GM/WIM/WGM) play for free if space allows. (No entry fee required and no entry fees deducted from winnings if registered by December 6th! Registrations on or after December 7th must pay entry fee – returned after completion of 5 rounds of play.) All players should register online. Contact registrar (austinchessclub@austinchesstournaments.com) for coupon code and to inquire about additional conditions.
Withdrawal with refund available if requested by 9pm on the Wednesday before the event (1/7/2026). After that time, no refunds. Any refunds will incur a $10 processing and transaction fee.
Sections and Prizes
$7000 in prizes 100% guaranteed
Plus Mixed Doubles prizes, enter onsite before round 2
Six Sections
Players are only eligible for the prizes listed within their section. Limit 80 players in any one section (exceptions granted for ratings 2200+).
All sections are closed, meaning that there is no playing up unless you are rated within 100 points of the minimum of your chosen section by the event start date.
Mixed Doubles teams can be registered onsite prior to the start of round 2 with no extra fees. NO changes to mixed doubles team after round 2 begins. A mixed doubles team is a male-female team. The team’s average rating cannot be above 2000.
Championship, Class A, and Class B sections will be FIDE rated and use FIDE rules. USCF ratings used for pairings.
Championship (2000+)
*Players rated 1900-1999 may pay an extra $25 to compete in this section, but are only eligible for place prizes*
• 1st -$925 2nd-$525 3rd-$375
• Expert (2000-2199): 1st -$250 2nd-$150
Class A (1800-1999)
*Players rated 1700-1799 may pay an extra $40 to compete in this section.
• 1st -$540 2nd-$320 3rd-$210 4th-$140
Class B (1600-1799)
*Players rated 1500-1599 may pay an extra $40 to compete in this section.
• 1st -$540 2nd-$320 3rd-$210 4th-$140
Class C (1400-1599)
*Players rated 1300-1399 may pay an extra $40 to compete in this section.
• 1st -$480 2nd-$260 3rd-$160 4th-$100
Class D/E (1000-1399)
*Players rated 900-999 may pay an extra $40 to compete in this section.
• 1st -$430 2nd-$230 3rd-$140 4th-$85
Novice (U1000)
*Players rated 900-999 may pay an extra $40 to compete in this section.
• 1st -$300 2nd-$150 3rd-$100
**January 2026 Supplement (‘Regular’ OTB) ratings will be used for pairing and placement 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.
**Requests to play up will only be honored if the conditions mentioned above are met and the appropriate fee has been paid.
**Unrated players will be placed at TD’s discretion and are only eligible for place prizes
**Unrated players must disclose foreign and online ratings.
Device Policy
Internet or Bluetooth enabled devices must be turned off completely during play (not just on silent) and must remain in the player’s bag or face up on the playing table. Devices may not be removed from the playing hall during your game. Devices include phones, smartwatches, tablets, etc. These may NOT be on the player’s person or leave the board during the games. Penalties up to or including loss of game and removal from the tournament for violations of this policy. Link to device policy. If you need a medical exception, contact us prior to your first game.
No notation devices will be approved for the FIDE sections. Any notation devices in other sections must be reviewed and logged at chess control no later than 30 minutes prior to player’s first round to receive an approval card. Please review the US Chess Notation Device policy.
Spectators, if allowed, must have devices turned completely off.
More Details
Boards and sets provided. Bring an increment capable clock if possible. A limited number of clocks will be available for purchase onsite.
Only water (drinks) allowed at the chess board. All food must remain outside the playing room.
See our USCF Online TLA!
Questions?
Contact Sarah Brauner (austinchessclub@austinchesstournaments.com) if you have questions about this event.