2011 Laredo Open

Start making your plans for the 2011 Laredo Open ($5600 guaranteed prize fund)

The large, guaranteed prize fund is sure to attract a big, strong turnout. As of today (Nov 18) the pre-registration list already has 2 GMs and 2 IMs!

Huge turnout expected for Texas K-12 and Collegiate Championships this weekend!

The Texas Grades and Collegiate Chess Championships are being held in Brownsville this weekend!

The Texas Grades (K-12) Championships start tomorrow at Veterans Memorial High School while the Texas Collegiate Championships will take place at the University of Texas at Brownsville. Over 600 students are already registered for these two events.

• Official Tournament Flyer
• Hotel Information
• Registration Form

2011 Texas Scholastic Championships

Start making your plans for the 2011 Texas Scholastic Championships in Houston!

Feb 12-13, 2011 - Texas Scholastic Championships

A State Championship Event! 7SS. Hilton Americas, 1600 Lamar Street, Houston TX 77010. HR: $111-$111-$111-$111, 713-739-8000, Mention Dallas Chess Club to get Hotel Chess Rate. Reserve by 1/27/11 or rate may go up. One night deposit may be required by Hotel. Four championships in one great location: TX Primary Scholastic Championships; TX Elementary Scholastic Championships; TX Middle School Scholastic Championships; TX High School Scholastic Championships. EF: $41 by 2/03; $69 after 2/03 or on site. February Rating Supplement will be used. Current USCF membership required (may be obtained on site). On Site Registration: Friday, 7-9pm, Saturday, 7-7:45am. Saturday registrants may receive a 1st Rd. 1/2-pt. bye. One 1/2-pt. bye (for any round) allowed if requested by the end of Rd. 2. Sections: K-1 Championship, Primary (K-3) Championship, Primary JV (K-3 w/Ratings Under 700), Elementary (K-5/6) Championship, Elementary JV (K-5/6 Under 800), Elementary Novice (K-5/6 Under 500), Middle School (6-8/9) Championship, MS JV (6-8/9 Under 900), MS Novice (6-8/9 Under 600), High School (9-12) Championship, HS JV (9-12 Under 1000). See Article IX, Section 1E, TCA Bylaws for each section's eligibility requirement, www.texaschess.org/2007/03/bylaws.html. Also www.swchess.com also has eligibility rules. Four-year scholarship to The University of Texas at Dallas to winner of High School Championship section. Winner must meet UTD entrance requirement and follow team rules. UTD is sole judge as to who wins the scholarship. Trophies for top 20 individuals and top 15 teams in each section plus participation medals for all, and plus Score Awards for players scoring 4 or more points that do not win an individual trophy. Schedule: Round times vary depending on the Championship; Time control also varies. For round times and time control, see: www.swchess.com. Side Events: Blitz Tourney: K-6 and K-12, Friday 8pm. EF: $20. Trophies to top 15 Individual in each section. Bughouse Tourney: K-6 and K-12, Saturday, 8:35pm. EF: $30 Team (On site registration only). trophies to top 10 teams in each section. All registrations (except Bughouse) available on line: see www.swchess.com and you can download flyers and entry forms. Checks payable to Dallas Chess Club. Mail entries to Dallas Chess Club, c/o Barbara Swafford, 2709 Longhorn Trail, Crowley, TX 76036. For tournament info, visit our website or contact Barbara Swafford, info@dallaschess.com or 214-632-9000. Refunds will be given only up to 2/10 with a $10 surcharge for withdrawing, after 2/10 there will be no refunds. There will be no substitution of team members. There will be a $10 change fee for changes after 2/10. There will be a $5 surcharge per player for phone registrations USCF membership is required. Proof of membership is required or player must join/renew their memberships. No registration/changes/or withdrawals after 2/10/11. After that date you must make changes at site (Hilton Americas). NS, NC, W.

2011 Southwest Collegiate Championships

Feb. 12-13, 2011 - Southwest Collegiate Championships

5-SS, G/90 with 30 sec inc. 7SS. Hilton Americas, 1600 Lamar Street, Houston TX 77010. HR: $111-$111-$111-$111, 713-739-8000, Mention Dallas Chess Club to get Hotel Chess Rate. Reserve by 1/27/11 or rate may go up. One night deposit may be required by Hotel. Top 4 count for team score. USCF membership required. Fide rated but uses USCF rules. Fide pairing rules may be used. Monroi devices may be provided and their use is mandatory. EF: $49 by 2/03/11, $69 thereafter. Don't mail after 2/03, entry may not be received. Online/Credit Card registration link at www.swchess.com Note that active.com charges a small fee. Reg.: Fri 7-9 pm, Sat 7-7:45am. Saturday registrants may receive a 1st rd. 1/2 pt. bye. One 1/2 pt. bye allowed if requested by end of rd. 2. Rds.: Sat 9-1:30-6, Sun 9-1:45. $$ $500-$250-$125, 1st U2000 $150, 1st U1600 $150, 1st U1200 $150, Unrated eligible for U1200 prize. Plaques to top 10 Individuals, Plaques to top 5 Teams. Ent: Barbara Swafford, 2709 Longhorn Trail, Crowley, TX 76036. (Make Checks payable to Dallas Chess Club. One check can be sent for multiple players.) Entries must include name, USCF ID or new/pending (include a copy of the receipt), rating, USCF expiration date & school. All incomplete registrations will be charged the late EF, additionally there will be a $5 per player surcharge on registration received without payment, these players could possibly not be paired for round 1 and not be paired until payment is received. Refunds will be given only up to 2/10 with a $10 surcharge for withdrawing, after 2/10 there will be no refunds. There will be no substitution of team members. There will be a $10 change fee for changes after 2/10. There will be a $5 surcharge per player for phone registrations. USCF membership is required. Proof of membership is required or player must join/renew their memberships. No registration/ changes/or withdrawals after 2/10/11. After that date you must make changes at site (Hilton Americas). February Supplement will be used. Tournament Info: Barbara Swafford, 214.632.9000 please do not call after 2/10, info@dallaschess.com. Website: www.swchess.com. NS. NC. W. FIDE

Texas K-12 Championships - more info

Here's more info on the upcoming K-12 & Collegiate Championships, being held in Brownsville Nov 13-14.

• Official Tournament Flyer
• Hotel Information
• Registration Form

US Class Championships - this weekend in Houston

One last reminder - the US Class Championships are this weekend in Houston. The field in the Masters Division will be the strongest ever, with at least 4 GMs and 6 IMs competing:

GM Timur Gareyev
GM Axel Bachmann
GM Ioan Chirila
GM Maurizo Flores
IM Marko Zivanic
IM Puchen Wang
IM Salvijus Bercys
IM Julio Sadorra
IM Daniel Fernandez
IM Max Cornejo

US Class Championships in Houston in 2 weeks

The 2010 U.S. Class Chess Championships will be held at the beautiful facilities of the Hilton Houston Hobby Airport Hotel during the weekend of October 1-3. This event awards National Class titles and is open to players of all skill levels, including previously unrated players. Class Champions will be listed in the USCF Chess Life Yearbook.

This year’s event is shaping up as one of the strongest U.S. Class ever. So far, the Masters Division includes:

GM Timur Gareyev
GM Axel Bachmann
GM Ioan Chirila
IM Marko Zivanic
IM Puchen Wang
IM Salvijus Bercys
IM Julio Sadorra
IM Daniel Fernandez

In addition to the main event, we will have a scholastic event on Saturday, Oct 2. Students in grades K through 12 will be competing for trophies in four divisions: K-3, K-6, K-9 and K-12. In addition to trophies for the top 10 individuals in each division, all participants of the scholastic event will receive commemorative medals.

The venue offers free parking and a great rate ($89). Several of the top games will be transmitted live at www.monroi.com. For additional information and registration, please visit the tournament web page.

USCF delegates needed

TCA recently adopted a new process and guidelines for selecting USCF delegates. If you meet the criteria below and would like to be appointed, please email TCA president Clemente Rendon at crendon44@hotmail.com.

Delegates must be over the age of 18, must have a valid USCF and TCA membership, must be a Texas resident, and must commit to attending the USCF business meeting in August. Preference will be given to past delegates who communicate with us by Sept 20, 2010. Preference will then also be given to new nominees who, if previously appointed as a delegate, canceled at least 90 days before the event.

After September 20th, TCA will accept nominations on a first-come first-serve basis. The TCA secretary will confirm with all appointed delegates by May 1, 2011 to ensure they are planning to attend. If they cancel then they will need to formally resign and we will appoint the first alternate, etc.

Southwest Open results

GM Alejandro Ramirez and IM Max Cornejo tied for first place at the 76th annual Southwest Open, held Labor Day weekend in Corpus Christi. Check back here in a few days for photos and a more detailed writeup. For now, you can view the final standings.

Texas K-12 & Collegiate Championships

Nov. 13-14, 14th Annual Texas K-12 Championships

6SS, Rds 1-3 G/45, Rds 4-6 G/60, Veterans Memorial HS, 4550 US Military Hwy 281, Brownsville, TX 78521. The K-12 is open to TX residents or players attending Texas schools. 13 separate tournaments, one per grade. Trophies to top 10 indiv. & top 5 teams (top three players added for team scores, minimum of two, no more than two teams per school per grade). EF$35 if p/m by 11/5, $45 after 11/5 or on site. Onsite registration, Sat 11/13 7:30-8:30am may require ½-pt bye for 1st Rd. Rds. Sat 9:30-12:00-2:00-4:00; Sun 10:00-1:00. One ½-pt bye available any round if requested before end of rd 2. Entries: Make checks payable to Texas Chess Association, mail to: 305 Willow Pointe Dr., League City, TX 77573. Info: flguadalupe@aol.com, (713) 530-7820. NS, NC, W

Nov. 13-14, 14th Annual Texas Collegiate Championships

5SS, G/90, 30 sec inc., Salon Casia, EDBC, Univ of Texas at Brownsville, 80 Fort Brown, Brownsville, TX 78520. Open to any college players; however, only Texas Colleges can be Texas Collegiate Champions. Plaques to top 10 individuals & top 5 teams (top three players added for team scores, minimum of two, no more than two teams per school). EF$35 if p/m by 11/5, $45 after 11/5 or on site. Onsite registration, Sat 11/13 7:30-8:30am may require ½-pt bye for 1st Rd. Rds. Sat 9-1:30-6:00; Sun 9:00-1:30. One ½-pt bye available any round if requested before end of rd 2. FIDE Rated, FIDE rules. Entries: Make checks payable to Texas Chess Association, mail to: 305 Willow Pointe Dr., League City, TX 77573. Info: flguadalupe@aol.com, (713) 530-7820. NS, NC, W