What does this club do? What are we about?
- We organize USCF rated tournaments for all ages. We hope to offer FIDE rated events soon.
- We currently have a free kids learning program that takes place every other Sunday afternoon.
- We refer adults to the right resources for adult beginners who are seeking improvement and private lessons. Just text us with questions.
- We seek out opportunities to bring chess to the Houston community.
- We would love to open daily for casual OTB (over the board) chess, but unfortunately don't have the resources to do so just yet. For a list of where you can play chess in Houston, scroll to the bottom of this page.
- We would like to be able to offer more learning opportunities for adults. This is a work in progress.
What learning and playing opportunities are there for my child?
This club has a free program on every other Sunday - click on other programs above. Look for the "Scholastic Corner".
There is one other free group we know of where kids go to just practice/play: https://www.facebook.com/groups/478793912490216/.
It's organized by Ifeanyi Okoro (cell 832.545.2865)
For paid group lessons, look for the list of chess organizations on this page: http://chess.jliptrap.us/schedule.htm
For private one-on-one lessons, you can find a list of instructors here: http://chess.jliptrap.us/links.htm
Alternatively, text us for a recommendation or referral.
There is one other free group we know of where kids go to just practice/play: https://www.facebook.com/groups/478793912490216/.
It's organized by Ifeanyi Okoro (cell 832.545.2865)
For paid group lessons, look for the list of chess organizations on this page: http://chess.jliptrap.us/schedule.htm
For private one-on-one lessons, you can find a list of instructors here: http://chess.jliptrap.us/links.htm
Alternatively, text us for a recommendation or referral.
Do I have to be a member to play?
Yes and no. We offer one time, non-member access to events at various charges depending on the event. Occasionally events will be free to the public. For a limited time casual chess on Thursday evenings will be free. Just check the event calendar for the latest information.
For participation in rated tournaments, you will absolutely need a USCF membership, but not a Chess Refinery club membership.
i.e. For tournament players, non-members of the chess club pay an additional $7 registration fee per tournament which is waived for current Chess Refinery members.
For participation in rated tournaments, you will absolutely need a USCF membership, but not a Chess Refinery club membership.
i.e. For tournament players, non-members of the chess club pay an additional $7 registration fee per tournament which is waived for current Chess Refinery members.
What is USCF membership versus membership to The Chess Refinery?
You have to have a USCF membership in order to play in USCF rated tournaments anywhere in the nation. USCF is the organization that keeps track of everyone's ratings and they are the ones that calculate it and publish a monthly supplement rating on all tournament players.
Membership to the club, The Chess Refinery, is needed to financially support the organization and its nonprofit programs that help the Houston chess community. Dues are needed to help pay costs of overhead such as rent, instructors and nonprofit program expenses.
Membership to the club, The Chess Refinery, is needed to financially support the organization and its nonprofit programs that help the Houston chess community. Dues are needed to help pay costs of overhead such as rent, instructors and nonprofit program expenses.
Foreign International FIDE Players
Foreign player(s) who do not hold qualifying FIDE titles must purchase US Chess memberships before participating in a USCF rated tournament. There is a $20 one-year International Online membership that can be used for these players. Check with the tournament organizer to sign up for these.
Where do I find USCF tournament rules?
Check out this link, latest 7th edition for the most frequently used chapters (or the entire rule book - 6th edition).
Latest 7th edition publication, softcover rule book on Amazon is now available.
Latest 7th edition publication, softcover rule book on Amazon is now available.
FAQ about your Rating
See this link from USCF: http://www.uschess.org/msa/FAQ.php
How are tournaments rated?
Tournament organizers submit the results to USCF for rating. Per the USCF website, if rating fees are paid electronically, they will rate events hourly from 10am to 11pm central time.
How do I get notified about chess tournaments?
Join our mailing list above for events held at The Chess Refinery.
For notifications direct from USCF, see this link: https://secure2.uschess.org/email/index.php. If you don't have your PIN number, email USCF for it.
For a good reference on all events in Houston, see Jim Liptrap's website here: http://chess.jliptrap.us/schedule.htm
For notifications direct from USCF, see this link: https://secure2.uschess.org/email/index.php. If you don't have your PIN number, email USCF for it.
For a good reference on all events in Houston, see Jim Liptrap's website here: http://chess.jliptrap.us/schedule.htm
How do we do the pairings?
1. We use SwissSys pairing software - pairings are computer generated, not manually manipulated.
2. You may not choose to "play up" a section.
3. The cutoff for section placement is determined by the tournament director. It is the TD's judgment call to make.
4. We use SUPPLEMENT ratings for pairings and section placement. WE DO NOT USE POST EVENT LIVE RATINGS. There are very few exceptions, i.e. provisional or unrated or international FIDE rated players, etc.
2. You may not choose to "play up" a section.
3. The cutoff for section placement is determined by the tournament director. It is the TD's judgment call to make.
4. We use SUPPLEMENT ratings for pairings and section placement. WE DO NOT USE POST EVENT LIVE RATINGS. There are very few exceptions, i.e. provisional or unrated or international FIDE rated players, etc.
Casual Chess Spots in Houston
There are several casual groups all over houston - for info check out these links here:
http://www.meetup.com/Houston-Chess/about/
http://www.cypresschess.com/p/map.html?m=1
For the below spots, you will need to call the location or just visit on the day of and see if you run into players there - I do not have phone numbers or contact names for all of these locations - it's just a place where we know people used to and likely currently gather in a group to play.
Mondays: heard of some players meeting off and on at the Phoenix Bar (https://www.yooying.com/chessaholics)
Tuesdays: possibly at Notsuoh or at Agora which i think is organized by this person: https://www.instagram.com/hernanroberty/
Wednesdays: older senior group at Cafe Express off of West Gray; also another group at Slowpokes bar near Heights area (google Royal Rooks)
Thursdays: Sheraton hotel bar off of clay and Beltway 8 (https://www.meetup.com/Houston-Chess/)
Fridays: Brewingz off 59 near sharpstown/gessner also the Bellaire chess group at Starbucks near Stella Link
There's also a blitz group (5 min per person speed chess) that hangs out usually every Saturday and Sunday afternoon around 430pm -730pm at the Starbucks on 10001 Westheimer Rd 77042. This is without a doubt the strongest speed chess group there is in Houston. Please do not call Starbucks to see if there are players there. Just show up. Bring a board and clock. And set up on the long wooden table. They welcome us, but rest assured they don't want to be bothered by phone calls just to see if some players are there. Sometimes you will find us hanging out at Marini's Empanadas in their outdoor patio area instead of Starbucks.
http://www.meetup.com/Houston-Chess/about/
http://www.cypresschess.com/p/map.html?m=1
For the below spots, you will need to call the location or just visit on the day of and see if you run into players there - I do not have phone numbers or contact names for all of these locations - it's just a place where we know people used to and likely currently gather in a group to play.
Mondays: heard of some players meeting off and on at the Phoenix Bar (https://www.yooying.com/chessaholics)
Tuesdays: possibly at Notsuoh or at Agora which i think is organized by this person: https://www.instagram.com/hernanroberty/
Wednesdays: older senior group at Cafe Express off of West Gray; also another group at Slowpokes bar near Heights area (google Royal Rooks)
Thursdays: Sheraton hotel bar off of clay and Beltway 8 (https://www.meetup.com/Houston-Chess/)
Fridays: Brewingz off 59 near sharpstown/gessner also the Bellaire chess group at Starbucks near Stella Link
There's also a blitz group (5 min per person speed chess) that hangs out usually every Saturday and Sunday afternoon around 430pm -730pm at the Starbucks on 10001 Westheimer Rd 77042. This is without a doubt the strongest speed chess group there is in Houston. Please do not call Starbucks to see if there are players there. Just show up. Bring a board and clock. And set up on the long wooden table. They welcome us, but rest assured they don't want to be bothered by phone calls just to see if some players are there. Sometimes you will find us hanging out at Marini's Empanadas in their outdoor patio area instead of Starbucks.
