Parents, please print out this checklist to see what equipment to bring and how to prepare for this tournament: https://www.thechessrefinery.org/uploads/2/0/8/8/20885128/parent_guideline_checklist.pdf
Spots are limited. Register NOW to guarantee a spot - as spots could run out before the deadlines pass.
Date: Sunday, January 9th, 2022
Venue: Memorial City Mall Westin Hotel (click to see map link)
Venue Address: 945 Gessner Rd, Houston TX 77024
Time: be inside the tournament hall by 11:15am - see itinerary below
Prizes: Trophies, 1st thru 5th place for each section, individual, no team trophies
Who Can Play: current USCF members, in grades K-12, maximum *1300 USCF rtg
Sections: TBD based on # of players and ratings of players signed up
Entry Fee: $30 early registration, $40 late registration
Register By: 10pm, CST, Sunday Jan 2nd for early discounted entry
Late Registration Deadline: 10pm CST, Sat, Jan 8th for late registration
Time Control: 5 round swiss, G/25;d5
Mask Policy: Masks are required to be worn for this event. See detailed policy here.
What to Bring: digital chess clock timer and pencils for doing notation - we will provide the pieces and boards for the scholastic players
Itinerary:
Below are estimated times. We will do our best to have everyone done and ready to leave by 6pm. Please make sure to show up on site by 11:15am to be seated at the boards. Pairings will be posted the morning of online at this link: https://www.thechessrefinery.org/scholasticpairings.html
If you cannot make round 1 (i.e. due to church), you can always request a half-point bye for round 1 to skip that round and play the remaining 4 rounds.
Round 1: 11:30am - 12:30pm
Lunch/Break: 12:30 - 1:25
Round 2: 1:30 - 2:30
Round 3: 2:30 - 3:30
Round 4: 3:30 - 4:30
Round 5: 4:30 - 5:30
Award Distribution: 5:35 - 5:50pm
Round 1: 11:30am - 12:30pm
Lunch/Break: 12:30 - 1:25
Round 2: 1:30 - 2:30
Round 3: 2:30 - 3:30
Round 4: 3:30 - 4:30
Round 5: 4:30 - 5:30
Award Distribution: 5:35 - 5:50pm
Playing Up Policy:
Sections will be determined a few days prior to the tournament. The player will be placed in a section based on their January USCF supplement rating, not live rating (unless they are UNR officially, we may look at live ratings then for reference). You may request to play up if your child's LIVE rating achieved in 2021/2022 is at least within 50 rating points of the lower limit of the higher section.
Zero Refund Policy:
If you sign up and cannot play due to any reason, illness, emergency or otherwise, you will only be refunded 50% of the fee paid if the withdrawal is done before Wednesday January 5th, 2022 10pm CST via text message to 281.698.0068. All other subsequent registrations, withdrawals and cancellations of participation after that date/time will not be refunded any money, nor do we offer credit for future tournaments.