Texas Chess Association

2012 Texas State Championship

noreply@blogger.com (Peter) — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 22:29:00 +0000

Start making your plans for the 67th annual Texas State Championship in Dallas from May 25-28. Online registration is available!

USCF delegates needed

noreply@blogger.com (Peter) — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 20:30:00 +0000

TCA needs delegates to represent the state of Texas at the 2012 USCF business meeting . If you are interested in being a delegate, please contact Clemente Rendon at crendon44@hotmail.com.

Spring Business Meeting, Educational Seminars

noreply@blogger.com (Peter) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 04:59:00 +0000

TCA's Spring Business meeting is scheduled for Saturday, Feb 18 at 8:35pm. The meeting will be held in the seminar room at the playing site of the Texas Scholastic Championships.

Also, Alexey Root will be giving a free seminar, "Thinking with Chess: Teaching Children ages 5-14" on Saturday at 7:00pm and Sunday at 1:15pm.

Texas Scholastic Championship info

noreply@blogger.com (Peter) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 15:59:00 +0000

The biggest TCA event of the year takes place Feb 18-19 in Dallas! More information, including links to online registration, is available at the tournament website. Discounted hotel rates are available until Jan 27, so make your reservations soon!

GM Timur Gareev wins Austin Club Championshiop

noreply@blogger.com (Peter) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 19:54:00 +0000

GM Timur Gareev (2743!) topped a field of 142 players at the Austin Chess Club Championship last weekend. Gareev scored a perfect 5-0, good for first place and $600.
NM Arvind Jayaraman finished in second place ($300) with 4.5 points. Alexander Quach won the U1800 section ($400) with 4.5 points and Jeff Little won the U1500 section ($250) with 5 points.

Crosstables are online at the Austin Chess Club website. Thanks to Lori Balkum for running a fabulous tournament!


Round 5: GM Gareev faces NM Alex Chua

Texas Grade & Collegiate Championships

noreply@blogger.com (Peter) — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 15:43:00 +0000

The Texas State Grade and Collegiate Chess Championships will take place at the Hilton Hobby Airport Hotel in Houston, October 29-30. Please visit the website for registration and more information about the event. The deadline for the early registration discount is Oct 19, so register soon!

National K-12 Championships

noreply@blogger.com (Peter) — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 20:01:00 +0000

The National K-12 Chess Championships, also known as the National Grades, will be held at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, November 18-20, 2011. In this event, players compete only in their respective grades. Winners, including ties, are declared National Grade Champions.

For more information and registration, please visit http://www.uschess.org/tournaments/2011/k12/. The deadline for the early rate is fast approaching, so sign up today and join us in Dallas!

Koltanowski Conference on Chess & Education

noreply@blogger.com (Peter) — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 16:38:00 +0000

Nov 18-19 in Dallas:
http://www.utdallas.edu/chess/education-camp/second-koltanowski-conference.html

Texas State Grade & Collegiate Championships

noreply@blogger.com (Peter) — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 15:06:00 +0000

2011 Texas State Grade & Collegiate Championships
Hilton Houston Hobby Airport
October 28-30, 2011

More info coming soon...

National Chess Festival in Houston

noreply@blogger.com (Peter) — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 01:18:00 +0000

Later this month, the Hilton Hobby Airport Hotel in Houston will be the site of a Chess Festival that includes two National events: The U.S. Junior Open (July 22-24), open to all players under the age of 21 as of 1/1/2011, and the U.S. Senior Open (July 18-23), open to players age 50 and over as of 7/18/2011. For those who are not eligible for these two events, we will also have the Not-A-Senior-Not-A-Junior Open (July 22-24)! In addition to these three main events, there will be Blitz and Bughouse side events as well as a tournament for the Parents and Friends of the U.S. Junior participants.

The U.S. Junior Open has four sections: U21, U15, U11, and U8 (age as of 1/1/2011). The U21 will have cash prizes and plaques, and the winner gets an automatic spot in the 2012 U.S. Junior Championship, if still eligible by age. The other three sections have trophy prizes. All sections have Class prizes (age and rating) and all participants receive commemorative medals. In addition to the individual awards, the event will have team prizes and players are eligible to enter school or club teams! Top four scores, minimum of three, count towards team scores in each section. Winners of all four divisions, including ties, are considered National Champions. On line registration is available at http://www.active.com/more-sports/houston-tx/us-junior-open-chess-championships-2011

The U.S. Senior Open has 6-Day and 3-Day Schedules. It has a guaranteed prize fund of $5,000 with the overall winner taking home $1,250! The top three finishers get Commemorative Clocks and six class (age) winners will receive plaques. The event is open to all players age 50 or over, and the top finisher born on or before January 1, 1951 is the official USCF entrant in the World Senior Chess Championship. That player also receives a $500 USCF stipend towards that event. On line registration for this event is available at http://www.active.com/more-sports/houston-tx/us-senior-chess-championship-2011

The Not-A-Senior-Not-A-Junior Open offers a Prize Fund of 70% of entries collected. This event has four USCF rated sections: Open (also FIDE rated), U2000, U1600/Unrated, and U1200. More details and on-line registration is available at http://www.cajunchess.com/tourns/uptourns.shtml

The names of all National Champions in the Junior Open and the Senior Open will be included in the USCF 2011 Yearbook. Grandmasters receive free entry for any of these events, if eligible. On-site registration will be available but to take advantage of the early rates, you must register as soon as possible, so REGISTER TODAY!

IM Zivanic and NM Guadalupe win State Championship

noreply@blogger.com (Peter) — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 19:02:00 +0000

IM Marko Zivanic and Francisco Guadalupe II drew their third-round game, both ending with five wins and two draws and in a tie for the Texas State Championship. Marko was the top seed among the 31 players in the Championship while Francisco entered as the twelfth(!) seed. In sole possession of third place was NM Artur Safin who drew both games with the Co-Champions. Thirteen masters were in attendance in this event open to players with over 2000 FIDE or USCF rating.

In the Amateur Championship, Yuri Nunez won his first six games and entered the last round with a full-point lead over Andy Shao, Bovey Liu, Alexander Jiang and Claudia Munoz. In that last game, Shao beat Nunez while Bovey beat Jiang. That allowed Shao and Bovey to tie Nunez for the Championship. Claudia tried very hard to join the group but was held to a draw by the much higher rated William Molina. Claudia fell to a fourth place tie with Akshay Bangale, Austin Jiang, and Atulya Vaidya.

Look for many of the games to be published in an upcoming edition of the Texas Knights magazine.

2011 Texas State Champions: NM Francisco Guadalupe II and IM Marko Zivanic

2011 Texas State Championship

noreply@blogger.com (Peter) — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 14:41:00 +0000

May 27 or 28 - 30, 2011 Texas State and Amateur Championships GPP: 20

7SS, Sheraton Dallas North Hotel, 4801 Lyndon B Johnson Fwy, Dallas, Texas, 75244. $$ 8,350 b/175, full entries, 2 Sections and scholastic side events: Championship (This section is FIDE rated but uses USCF rules. Must be rated 2000 or above by either USCF or Fide to play in this section. Defending Amateur Champion may also play in this section. Foreign unrateds may play in this section.) G/90 with 30 sec. increment: $$ 1,000-500-250, 2200-2399 $700, U2200 $800. Amateur: U2000 & unrated. Rds. 1-7 30/90 SD/1, rd. 1 of three day is G/120 (deduct 5 min. for delay). $$ 800-400-200. B $$ 600-300-150, C 500-250-125, U1400 $500-250-125, U1200 $400, U1000 $300 Unrated $200. Both: TCA membership required. Other states accepted.EF: $88 if received by 5/19, else $99. $80 Junior(U19) if received by 5/19 else $90 (juniors count as 90% toward base), Senior(over 65)/Handicapped/ additional family participant $52 if receive by 5/19 else $65 (Senior/Handicap/ Additional family participant counts 60% toward base). Add $5 for CC phone entries; pre-reg requires pre-payment. After 5/25/11 all registration and changes on site only; all changes including withdrawals, $10 after 5/25/11. 4 day: Reg. Friday 5/27, 6:15 pm-7:15. Rds. Fri.: 7:45, Sat: 2:30 pm - 8:00, Sun.: 11:00 am - 5:15 pm, Mon.: 9 am - 2:45 pm. 3 day: Reg. Sat. 5/28, 9-9:30 am, Rd. 1 at 10 am then merge with 4 day. Foreign Unrated must play in Championship section. Registrations that do not indicate 4 or 3 day schedule will be put in the 3 day. HR: $84/84/84/84, 972-661-3600 reserve by 5/13 and ask for Dallas Chess Club rate. Free Parking. Up to two 1/2 pt byes available if requested before end of rd. 2, but byes for both rd. 6 AND 7 not permitted. K-12 Scholastic on Saturday, 5/28. 5-SS, Rds. 1-3 G/30, rds. 4-5 G/45, EF: $29 by 5/19, $43 after; Pre-reg. requires pre-payment. After 5/25/11 all registration and changes on site only; all changes $10 after 5/25/11. No refunds after 5/25/11, $10 handling fee for refunds before 5/25/11. Entries do not count toward base in Championship and Amateur. Registration 8:15-8:45 am, Rd. 1 at 9:30 am, rest ASAP with small lunch break. Sections: K-12 Championship and K-12 U750. Prizes: Trophies to top 12 individuals, five teams in each section. K-12 U750 also top three unrateds. Medals to those who do not win a trophy. Ent: Dallas Chess Club, C/O Barbara Swafford, 2709 Longhorn Trail, Crowley, TX 76036. Info: Barb Swafford, 214-632-9000, info@dallaschess.com www.dallaschess.com NS. NC. W. FIDE. WCL JGP.

USCF Voter Registration Instructions

noreply@blogger.com (Peter) — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 19:31:00 +0000

Effective with the 2011 USCF executive board election, voting members will have to be registered by March 31, 2011 to be eligible to vote. Only registered voting members will be sent a ballot.

Check your status as a voting member

Register as a voting member

Region VI Scholastic Championships & UIL Puzzle Solving Competition

noreply@blogger.com (Peter) — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 17:58:00 +0000

Two scholastic events in Austin on March 5th:

Region VI Scholastic Championship
UIL Chess Puzzle solving competition (flyer)

Scholastic Championship - 2 weeks away!

noreply@blogger.com (Peter) — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 16:24:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Peter) — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 20:57:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Peter) — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 16:32:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Peter) — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 19:00:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Peter) — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 19:17:00 +0000

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!

noreply@blogger.com (Peter) — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 15:36:00 +0000

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.

2011 Texas Scholastic Championships

noreply@blogger.com (Peter) — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 20:04:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Peter) — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 20:00:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Peter) — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 23:17:00 +0000

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

US Class Championships - this weekend in Houston

noreply@blogger.com (Peter) — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 14:33:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Peter) — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 21:07:00 +0000

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.