May 22, 2026 to May 25, 2026
Sheraton North Houston
15700 John F Kennedy Blvd, Houston TX 77032
$11,500 Guaranteed Prize Fund
Event Overview
The tournament features two main sections, one-day Novice and Scholastic sections, and a Blitz side event. All players in the Championship section must have a FIDE ID, and foreign players must disclose their FIDE ID prior to Round 1.
The Championship section will be FIDE-rated and played under FIDE rules. US Chess ratings and rules will be used for pairings and prize eligibility. The May 2026 US Chess rating supplement will be used. Texas Chess Association membership is required for all players, including those from out of state.
Championship: FIDE & US Chess rated, 7SS, G/90+30
Amateur: US Chess rated, 7SS, G/90+30
Scholastic (Saturday only): 5SS, G/25+10, K-12
Novice (Sunday only): 5SS, G/25+10, U1400
Championship: Open to players rated 2000 or above (US Chess regular or FIDE), or those who have previously held a 2000+ rating. National invitational representatives are allowed to play in the Championship.
Amateur: Open to players rated under 2000 and unrated players.
Scholastic: Open to K-12 players.
Novice: Open to all ages under 1400 US Chess rating.
Open to all US Chess and TCA members. Foreign titled players (GM, IM, WGM, WIM) do not need US Chess membership.
Championship & Amateur
$120 through May 1 (Early Bird)
$150 through May 20
$180 after May 20
$200 onsite (registration closes 1 hour before Round 1)
GMs and foreign IMs free entry in Championship section
Other Sections & Discounts
Seniors (65+): $20 discount (use code: STILLGOTIT)
Scholastic: $30 ($50 onsite)
Novice: $80 ($100 onsite)
Re-entry: $40 (Amateur section only, available before the start of Round 3)
* Unrated players may play in Amateur or Novice section; however, in the Novice section they may only win 50% of the prizes awarded. In the Amateur section, unrated players are eligible for the full prize awarded.
Championship: 1st $3000 / 2nd $1500 / 3rd $750; Top 2200-2399 $500; Top U2200 $500; Top Female $300
Amateur (1400-1999): 1st $1000 / 2nd $750 / 3rd $500; Top Class B $350; Top Class C $350; Top Class D $350; Top Female $300
Novice (U1400): 1st $500 / 2nd $350 / 3rd $170; Top U1200/Unr $170; Top Female $160
Scholastic: PRIM, ELEM, MS, HS - Trophies to 4+ points. Top 2 Teams per section.
Players in the Championship and Amateur sections who fail to appear within 30 minutes of round start forfeit the game unless the Chief TD otherwise provides for good cause. In all other sections, a player forfeits the game only if their time expires on the clock before they arrive.
Championship/Amateur Sections (G/90+30)
Round 1 Options
Friday, May 22 - 7:00 PM (4-day schedule)
Saturday, May 23 - 10:00 AM (3-day schedule)
Remaining Rounds
Saturday, May 23
3:00 PM - Round 2
7:00 PM - Round 3
Sunday, May 24
10:00 AM - Round 4
3:00 PM - Round 5
Monday, May 25
10:00 AM - Round 6
3:00 PM - Round 7
Scholastic (Saturday, G/25+10, 4 Round Swiss)
10:00 AM - Round 1
12:00 PM - Round 2
2:00 PM - Round 3
4:00 PM - Round 4
6:00 PM - Round 5
Novice (Sunday, G/25+10, 5 Round Swiss)
10:00 AM - Round 1
12:00 PM - Round 2
2:00 PM - Round 3
4:00 PM - Round 4
6:00 PM - Round 5
Up to two 1/2-point byes are available if requested before the end of round 2 and before receiving a full-point bye, but 1/2-point byes for both rounds 6 and 7 are not permitted.
Blitz: Friday 5/22/2026 7:30pm Blitz 5 Round Double Swiss G/3+2 time control. This is USCF rated. The entry fee is $30 ($50 onsite). Registration closes 1 hour before round 1. Regular rating will be used if you don’t have a Blitz rating. 2 sections Championship 1600+ and Reserve U1600.
Prizes (based on 20 entries): Championship: 1st $150, 2nd $75, Top U2000 $75; Reserve: 1st $125, 2nd $75.
All requests must be submitted through the form. Requests will not be accepted by email, text, phone, or in person; https://forms.gle/kC14F39Yp6NKo5Eb9
Chess sets provided; bring your own clock
Notation required
Food and drinks are not allowed in the playing hall. Water is the only exception.
No electronic devices (except necessary medical equipment and clocks) in Championship and Amateur. Players in other sections may use electronic notation devices endorsed by US Chess.
Only players whose game is in progress, tournament directors and staff, TCA officers, and press are allowed in the hall during rounds.
Refunds available until May 15, 12:00pm, subject to a $25 fee.
Only Texas residents are eligible for state champion titles. Players requiring accommodations due to disability or religious reasons should contact the organizer as soon as possible, preferably at least two weeks before the tournament.
Sheraton North Houston
15700 John F Kennedy Blvd, Houston TX 77032
Reserve Rooms: https://tinyurl.com/3be5hwhm
https://www.kingregistration.com/event/81SA
admin@texaschess.org / Text: David Ortiz 832-908-5462