To receive pairings information please join the text list. Make sure to respond YES to the confirmation text. See link here.
(If you have multiple players, only one phone number is needed. We will send one link for ALL Sections.)
If the weblink does not work due to internet blocking software, you can opt to text "scholastic" to 866.797.0027.

Overview

Each child will play 5 rounds. There is no elimination. Even if you lose, you still get paired to play next round. The only exception is if there is an odd number of players in a section. At which point, look to see if your child was paired for an extra rated game. Time control is G/25;d5. Format: Swiss. Individual and team trophies awarded. More details further down. These games are USCF rated and will affect your child's OTB official rating. (OTB = over the board). Kids are placed in sections based on their grade level in school and their rating. It is OK if you have never played in a tournament before. Everyone starts out as UNRATED initially! =) 
You must have a current USCF membership to compete in this event.
Please ensure you are residing in one of the counties listed above as a Region V participant.

Sections

Note: Feb 2023 USCF published Supplement Ratings (not live ratings) will be used for section placement and pairing purposes.
​Special exceptions may be made in a case by case basis of OTB provisional ratings.
High School Open (grades 9-12, any rating or unrated)
High School Reserve (grades 9-12, unrated - 1000 USCF)
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Middle School Open (grades 6-8, any rating or unrated)
Middle School Reserve (grades 6-8, unrated - 700 USCF)
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Elementary Open (grades K-6, any rating or unrated)
Elementary Reserve (grades K-6, unrated - 500 USCF)
**A student attending 6th Grade in an Elementary (K-6) School or 5th-6th grade school must enter an Elementary School Section.
​Except for those, all other 6th graders must compete in a Middle School section 
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Primary Open (grades K-3, any rating or unrated)
Primary Reserve (grades K-3, unrated - 400 USCF)
***Home schooled and private schooled students will be delineated as follows: Primary K-3, Elementary K-5; Middle 6-8; High School 9-12.

How to Choose a Section

Choose your section based on Grade Level then Rating. There is overlap of the sections due to how schools in Texas are structured. If your child is unrated and attending "XXXX Primary" then choose the reserve primary section. If he is attending an "XYZ Elementary school" then choose the Elementary reserve or open section. If your child is in grades K-3, but attending an "elementary" school, he/she can still opt for the Primary sections if you would rather your child to stay in a section with kids closest to that age range. Open sections are generally speaking for players who already have tournament experience and want to compete against the highest rated players. Reserve sections have a rating cap/maximum. See the rating limit noted in the (parenthesis).

Team Rooms

What is a "Team Room?"  It is just a classroom we set aside for school teams that have a "LOT" of players and want to gather in a private space. It is only to be utilized if the school has a couple of parents/sponsors/guardians/coaches to oversee the entire group. This has ZERO to do with the competition itself.
Please contact Kwunnie at 281.698.0068 (text message only - no calls) to discuss the possibility of requesting a team room. At the minimum you must have at least 12 students competing from a single school to initiate this request. Rooms are in very short supply. First come first serve.
$40 Deadline has been extended till 10pm CST Tuesday Feb 7th 2023!

Entry Fee & Deadlines

$34 if paid by 10pm CST, Sat, Jan 28th 2023, $32 if you have a current TCA (Texas Chess Association) membership
$40 if paid by 10pm CST, Sun, Feb 5th 2023
$48 if paid by 10pm CST, Thurs, Feb 9th 2023

Venue, Date, Round Times

Westchester Academy for International Studies (WAIS)
901 Yorkchester Dr, Houston, TX 77079
Google Maps Link

Parking Instructions!!! Please Read!!!

Saturday, Feb 11th 2023
9am: Be present and seated at the board
9:10am: Announcements
9:15am: Official start of round 1
10:15-10:30am: Approximate start of round 2
11:15-11:30am: Approximate start of round 3
Lunch Break (estimated 30min - 45min)
1:15pm: Start of round 4
2:15pm: Approximate start of round 5
​3:15pm: Approximate time of Awards Ceremony
3:30pm: End of the Day

Awards

Individual Trophies awarded for top 7 places in each section
Team Trophies awarded for top 2 schools in each section
*A team must consist of a minimum of 2 players from the same school competing in the same section. Team trophies will be awarded based on a calculation of the top 4 scorers of each school team in each section.
​**Tiebreaks MSCO are used in awarding all awards. For details see this link.
​​Please note, resulting crosstables shown on USCF website after the tournament is rated are not displayed in tiebreak order.
Awards will be distributed based on the ratings used for pairing purposes on the event, including any adjusted UNR provisional ratings.

What to Bring

We have enough chess sets and boards (but NOT clocks) for approximately 300 players only.
You WILL NEED to bring clocks at the bare minimum. If clocks are not available, players will play without a clock and a clock MAY be added towards the end of the time control to ensure rounds end on time. If we exceed 300 players, we will need parents to bring all playing equipment. Please bring equipment in the case it is needed. This means pencils, notation books, chess sets, digital chess clocks.
There will be some chess supplies and food/beverage sold on-site at the event. You may opt to bring your own sack lunch or bring cash in small bills or credit card to purchase food/snacks. If anyone has any food allergies, please take any necessary precautions and bring an epi-pen as peanut or similar allergens may be present in the food sold.

Refund / Withdrawal Policy

​Refunds/Withdrawals must be requested by Wed February 8th 2023 to receive a 70% refund.
All subsequent withdrawals are not refunded regardless of when you registered.
No credits for future tournaments are issued.

    Register Below

    When choosing a section, it is best to choose based on your child's current rating and experience level. It is not recommended to choose the "open" section unless your child's experience level exceeds the higher rating limit of the Reserve section. i.e. unrated or those who have never played in an OTB event should choose the Reserve section but you may opt for the Open section if so desired. See further details in the "SECTIONS" info at the top of the page. Questions? TEXT 281.698.0068 (don't call, text please).
    Please note the $32 EF is only for those who have current TCA memberships! Pay $34 if do you not currently have a TCA membership. This is NOT the same as USCF membership (which is also required to participate in any USCF rated tournament in the USA).
    For details on TCA membership please see this link: ​https://texaschess.org/memberships/
    The junior $3/year is suggested.
    If you need to miss a round or have other questions please input info below:

Registration List
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