Scholastic Championship - 2 weeks away!

The biggest TCA event of the year takes place Feb 12-13 in Houston. Everything you need to know is on the event website.

Huge turnout for Austin Club Championship

The Austin Chess Club held its first annual Club Championship Jan 7-9th. 135 players competed, including 16 titled players (1 GM, 1 IM, 3 FMs, 11 NMs). That's a fantastic turnout for a club event, on par with recent State Championships and Southwest Opens.

IM Goran Vojinovic scored 4.5/5 to win clear first and $600. GM Valentin Yotov and FM Alex Chua tied for 2nd place ($250 each). Duy Nguyen won the Reserve section ($300) with 4.5/5 and Mike Webb won the Booster section with 5/5. The Austin Chess Club website has more details including crosstables.

Here's the round 4 game between the top two seeds:

[Event "Austin Chess Club Championship"]
[Date "2011.01.09"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Goran Voljinovic"]
[Black "Valentin Yotov"]
[WhiteElo "2591"]
[BlackElo "2625"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D11"]

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. c4 c6 4. e3 Bg4 5. h3 Bh5 6. Qb3 Qb6 7. Ne5 e6 8. g4 Bg6 9. Nxg6 hxg6 10. Bg2 Nbd7 11. Nc3 g5 12. Bd2 Be7 13. O-O-O Qc7 14. e4 e5 15. exd5 exd4 16. dxc6 bxc6 17. Ne2 Rb8 18. Qa4 Qb6 19. b3 O-O 20. Qa5 Qxa5 21. Bxa5 c5 22. Bc7 Rbc8 23. Bh2 Ne8 24. Rhe1 Bf6 25. Nc3 Nb6 26. Nb5 a6 27. Na7 Rd8 28. Nc6 Rd7 29. Ne5 Rd8 30. Nd3 Nd7 31. Bc6 Nb8 32. Bxe8 Rfxe8 33. Rxe8+ Rxe8 34. Bxb8 Rxb8 35. Nxc5 1-0


Round 5: FM Alex Chua - IM Goran Vojinovic



GM Valentin Yotov


Emily Nguyen (1642), 2010 US Junior Under-8 Champion

2011 Texas Team Championship

More info at dallaschess.com

21-23 or 22-23 Jan 2011. Texas Team Championship, 5SS, G/90 with 30 sec. increment. University of Texas at Dallas, Galaxy Rooms At Student Union, 800 West Campbell Rd., Richardson, TX 75080. Open to 4-player teams with average rating U2200 based on Dec. 2010 rating list. One alternate allowed/optional, must be lowest rated. Incomplete teams not allowed. EF: $120/team if rec’d by Jan 7th, $140 at site. TCA memb. req. ($11 reg. $8.50 jr. U19, $1 jr. tmt), o.s.a. $$($1550 b/16 teams): 1st - $600+trophy, 2nd - $300, 1st U1900 - $300+trophy, 2nd U1900 - $150. Board prizes: Top scorer on boards 1-4:- $50+plaque. 3 day Reg.: 1/21 6:15pm – 7:00 pm. Rds.: 7:20, 2:30 – 7, 9:00- 2:45. 2 day Reg: 1/22 8 – 8:35 am, 2 day round 1 is at 9 am then merge with 3 day. Fide rated but uses USCF rules. Park on metered parking by Student Union or by UTD bookstore. Or get visitors pass at guard shack on University Drive and park on visitor’s parking. Due to construction, check website for parking updates. Recommended Hotel: Hawthorn Suites Richardson, 250 Municipal Dr., Richardson, TX 75080. 972-669-1000. HR: $79 for 1 bedroom with pullout couch, $99 for 1 bedroom plus another king bedroom plus pullout couch. Mention UTD rate to get hotel rate. Any problems booking your room, please ask for Lynn Koutney. Free hot breakfast with hotel room. ENT: Dallas Chess
Club, C/O Barbara Swafford, 2709 Longhorn Trail, Crowley, TX 76036. 214.632.9000 INFO: Barb Swafford, info@dallaschess.com www.dallaschess.com www.swchess.com. FIDE, NS, NC

TCA Region IX Scholastic Championship

Jan 15, 2011 - TCA Region IX Scholastic Championship

Hillcrest Church of Christ, 650 E. Ambler Ave., Abilene, TX EF: $15 by 1/08; $20 after 1/08 or on site. January Rating Supplement will be used. Current USCF membership required (may be obtained on site). On Site Registration: Saturday, 9:30-10 am. Schedule: 5 Rounds, 10, 11, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30. Time control: G/30. Trophies to top 2 individuals in the open section. Prizes for top individuals in ES, MS, and HS. Checks payable to Abilene Chess Club. Mail entries to Abilene Chess Club, c/o John H. Williams, 907 Ruswood Circle, Abilene, TX 79601. For tournament info, contact John H. Williams at John@TriteButTrue.com (325-672-4097). Refunds will be given only up to 1/8/2011. USCF membership is required. Proof of membership is required. Otherwise, players must join or renew their memberships.

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