2026 Houston Chess Festival
July 10 to July 12, 2026
DoubleTree by Hilton, 15747 John F. Kennedy Blvd, Houston, TX
$11,550 Prize Fund
(75% guaranteed b/o 225 full entries (U1300 entries = 70% of full-paid entries)
Event Overview
The festival features two FIDE-rated sections, one one-day Scholastic, scholastic bughouse, and a Blitz event. All players in the open, U2000 and blitz sections must have a FIDE ID, and foreign players must disclose their FIDE ID prior to Round 1.
The Open and U2000 sections will be FIDE-rated and played under FIDE rules. US Chess July 2026 ratings will be used for pairings and prize eligibility.
Sections
Open: FIDE & US Chess rated, 5SS, G/90;+30
U2000: FIDE & US Chess rated, 5SS, G/90;+30
U1800: 5SS, G/120;d5
U1600: 5SS, G/120;d5
U1600: 5SS, G/120;d5
Scholastic (Saturday 7/11 only): 5SS, G/25;d5
ENTRY FEES
Titled Players: GMs, IMs, WGMs, and WIMs pay no Entry Fee, enter online and the entry fee amount is adjusted based on the title.
OPEN, U2000, U1800 & U1600, including Unrated Players in any of these sections: $99 by 7/1; $115 by 7/7/2025; $125 thereafter and on-site.
U1300: $79 by 7/1/2026; $89 by 7/1/2026; $99 by 7/7; $125 on-site.
Re-Entry Fee: $40. Available before the start of Round 3, NO reentry in Open & U2000.
Re-entries = 34% of a full entry toward prize guarantee
Withdrawals before July 9th are subject to a deduction of $15 processing fee.
Withdrawals on July 9th or later will not receive a refund.
Discounts & Side Event Fees
Seniors (60+): $10 discount (Contact Organizer)
Blitz: $25 online or in person (0nline closes 7/10/2026 midnight)
Scholastic: $30 ($35 onsite) (0nline closes 7/10/2026 midnight)
Re-entry: $40 (Amateur section only, available before the start of Round 3)
Unrated players may play in any section; however, in the they may only win 50% of the prizes awarded; except in the U1300 section where unrated players are eligible for the full prize awarded.
3-Day or 2-Day Schedules Available
3-Day Schedule
On-site Registration: Friday (7/10) from 5:30-6:45 p.m.
3-Day Round Times:
Round 1 - Friday, July 10 @ 7:00 pm
Round 2 - Saturday, July 11 @ 1:00 pm
Round 3 - Saturday, July 11 @ 6:00 pm
Round 4 - Sunday, July 12 @ 9:30 am
Round 5 - Sunday, July 12 @ 3:00 pm
2-Day Schedule (Merges with 3-day schedule after round 1)
On-site Registration: Saturday (7/11) from 8:00-8:30 a.m.
2-Day Round Times:
Round 1 - Saturday, July 11 @ 9:30 am
Rounds 2-5 see 3-day schedule
Once the schedules merge, all players will compete as one group within their section.
Prizes (75% guaranteed based on 225 full paid entries)
Commemorative Chess Clock for the oldest and furthest from home to site players.
|
Place |
First |
Second |
Third |
Fourth |
Fifth |
|
OPEN: |
$ 1,700 |
$ 900 |
$ 600 |
$ 400 |
$ 200 |
|
OPEN (U2200): |
$ 700 |
$ 400 |
|||
|
U2000: |
$ 800 |
$ 400 |
$ 300 |
$ 150 |
$ 100 |
|
U1800: |
$ 800 |
$ 400 |
$ 300 |
$ 150 |
$ 100 |
|
U1600: |
$ 800 |
$ 400 |
$ 300 |
$ 150 |
$ 100 |
|
U1300: |
$ 550 |
$ 350 |
$ 250 |
$ 150 |
$ 100 |
Schedule
3-Day or 2-Day Schedules Available Game 1 of 2-Day Schedule, All Sections - G/60, d5 (Not FIDE Rated)
REGISTRATION
Online: You may register with a credit card on-line by clicking on "Register" button on top or the bottom of this page. Online registration will close at 4:00 pm on Friday, July 11 (for 3-Day Schedule), and at 7:00 am Saturday, July 11 (for 2-Day Schedule).
ON-SITE:
Friday, July 11: 5:30pm - 6:45pm
Saturday, July 12: 8:00am - 8:30am
No checks accepted at site (cash or credit cards only).
On-line registration will close at 4:00 pm on Friday, July 11 (for 3-Day Schedule), and at 7:00 am Saturday, July 11 (for 2-Day Schedule).
Other/Side Events:
Saturday, 7/11/2026 9:30 PM, 6 Swiss Double Rounds, G/3+2. USCF & FIDE rated.
Entry fee: $30 ($40 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 $50; Reserve: 1st $125, 2nd $75.
Open to all scholastic players including 2026 High School Graduates!
$25 Entry Fee
5 round Swiss, G25;d5
3 Sections, U400, U800, Scholastic OPEN
Trophy to the top 7 in each section
Medal to all participants!
Scholastic Bughouse entry $20 per team.
Onsite registration only (cash or card only)
4 double rounds G4;d3
Trophies for both players on the top 3 teams.
Scholastic Schedule (Saturday 11 July)
9:00 AM Announcements
9:15 AM - Round 1
10:45 AM - Round 2
Lunch after round 2
12:30 PM - Round 3
2:00 PM - Round 4
3:30 PM - Round 5
5:15 PM Awards
6:00 PM BUGHOUSE (immediately after awards)
Information:
Forfeit Rule
Players in all sections who fail to appear within 30 minutes of round start forfeit the game unless the Chief TD otherwise provides for good cause.
Change Requests
Contact the organizer or pairing chief in the backroom to re-enter, request a bye, withdraw, etc.
Byes
Up to two 1/2-point byes are available if requested before round 2 begins.
Other Rules and Information
Plaque and trophy winners will be determined by US Chess tiebreaks (MSCO). Chess sets are not provided
Chess Clocks are not provided
A CHESS STORE WILL BE ON LOCATION SELLING CHESS-RELATED ITEMS.
Notation is required
Food is not allowed in the playing hall.
Drinks in closed top containers and water are the only exceptions.
No electronic devices in FIDE sections (except necessary medical equipment and clocks) , players in other sections may use electronic notation devices endorsed by US Chess.
Only players with an active game, tournament directors, and staff are allowed in the hall during rounds.
Refunds available until July 9, 12:00 P.M., subject to a $15 processing fee.
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.
Harassment of any type is never tolerated and may result in penalties up to expulsion from the tournament and Safe Play Reporting.
Spectator Policy
Only players with games in progress and the tournament staff are allowed in the playing hall. When your game ends, you become a spectator!
Spectators are not allowed in the tournament area during play!
Communication Policy
Registering for Cypress Chess events will add you to our email and text message distribution list which is used for announcing and promoting future events and for sending details for current events (pairings and standings links e.g.). You will be able to opt out by following the instructions in any message received or by contacting us directly.
Hotel
(take the JFK exit off of Beltway 8 in north Houston near IAH Airport)
SPECIAL HOTEL CHESS RATE: $99 & tax
NOTE: RESERVE BY JUNE 28, 2026, to secure the group rate.
To make your reservation, you can click here: 2026 HCF Hotel
To make your reservation by phone, please call (855) 610-8733 and mention (Group code - CDTHOU)
Complimentary Hotel Self-Parking
Free Shuttle Service from Bush Int'l (IAH) Airport to/from hotel - call (281)-848-4000 for pick-up service
Basic Internet in Each Room!
Online Registration
https://www.kingregistration.com/event/2026HCF
Contact
Peter Craney peter.craney@cypresschess.net, 713-725-2877