Houston, TX
$11,550 Prize Fund
(75% Guaranteed b/o 225 full paid ENTRIES)
U1300 entries count as 70% of full-paid entries.
5SS - US Chess Rated
OPEN & U2000 SECTIONS are FIDE RATED using FIDE Rules - 5SS, G/90, i30 (US Chess Regular Ratings used for pairings and prizes)
ALL OTHER SECTIONS - 5SS, G/120, d5
Game 1 of 2-Day Schedule, All Sections - G/60, d5 (Not FIDE Rated)
60 minute default time all sections
Free entry for GMs, IMs, WGMs and WIMs
3-Day or 2-Day Schedules Available
CHESS SET AND CLOCK ARE NOT PROVIDED.
A CHESS STORE WILL BE ON LOCATION SELLING CHESS-RELATED ITEMS.
Cypress Chess 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!
DETAILS & REGISTRATION
LOCATION
DoubleTree by Hilton
15747 John F. Kennedy Blvd.
Houston, TX 77032
(take the JFK exit off of Beltway 8 in north Houston near IAH Airport)
- Complimentary Hotel Self-Parking
- Free Shuttle Service from Bush Int'l (IAH) Airport to/from Hotel - please call hotel for pick-up service (281-848-4000)
- Basic Internet in Each Room!
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
Hotel Reservation Link for the 2026 Houston Chess Festival
To make your reservation by phone, please call
(855) 610-8733
and mention the 2026 Houston Chess Festival (Group code - CDTHOU)
The US Chess July 2026 Rating Supplement (Regular Ratings) for pairings and prizes.
SECTIONS & PRIZES
OPEN & U2000 Sections are FIDE-rated using FIDE Rules, except for Game 1 of the 2-Day Schedule.
All sections will use US Chess Rules and Ratings for Pairings and Prizes.
Place
Section |
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 |
Commemorative Chess Clock for the oldest and furthest from home to site players.
* Unrated players may play in any section; however, they may only win 50% of the top prize for the section entered.
If a player without a US Chess rating has a FIDE or CFC rating, the player will be assigned a US Chess rating IAW Sections 2.1 or 2.2 of The US Chess Rating System and may not play in sections below allowable for their assigned rating.
"Champion's Plaque" awarded to the 1st Place finisher in each section. In the event of ties, plaque and trophy winners will be determined by US Chess tiebreaks (MSCO). The official July 2026 US Chess Rating Supplement will be used.
SCHEDULES & ROUND TIMES
3-Day Schedule
On-site Registration: Friday (7/10) from 5:30-6:45 p.m.
3-Day Round Times:
Friday, July 10: 7:30pm
Saturday, July 11: 1pm & 6pm
Sunday, July 12: 9:30am & 3pm
* * * * * * * *
2-Day Schedule
On-site Registration: Saturday (7/11) from 8:00-8:30 a.m.
2-Day Round Times:
Saturday, July 11: Round 1 at 9:30 AM, then merge with the 3-Day Schedule for Round 2 at 1 PM.
Once the two schedules merge, all players will compete as one group, within their section, according to the round times for the 3-Day Schedule. Therefore, Round 3 is Saturday at 6 PM for all, Round 4 is on Sunday at 9:30 AM, followed by Round 5 on Sunday at 3 PM.
BYES
Half point byes: Allowed all rounds, limit 2; must commit before round 3. Can be requested during registration
You must advise the Chief Tournament Director or Organizer and commit to any byes before Round 3 begins. Byes can not be changed or rescinded after the start of round three. Late bye requests or bye requests beyond two will be zero-point byes.
ENTRY FEES
Titled Players: GMs, IMs, WGMs, and WIMs pay no Entry Fee. IF YOU ARE A TITLED PLAYER, register online. The entry fee amount is adjusted based on the title.
- GM, IM, WGM, WIM - $0 TO REGISTER (entry fee deducted from prize)
- 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 ; $89 by 7/1/2026; $99 by 7/10; $125 on-site.
- Re-Entry Fee: $40. Available before the start of Round 3, EXCEPT in FIDE-rated Sections (Open & U2000). Re-entries = 34% of full entry.
Withdrawals before July 9th are subject to a deduction of $10 processing fee.
Withdrawals on July 9th or later will not receive a refund.
ADVANCE REGISTRATION
On-line: You may register with a credit card on-line by clicking on "Register" button on top or the bottom of this page.
By mail: You may send a check, payable to "Cypress Chess,” with registration info (Name, US Chess ID, Section, Schedule, Byes if any, Address, Email Address, and Telephone Number) to:
Peter Craney
11906 Wynmar Ln
Cypress, TX 77429
ON-SITE REGISTRATION
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 4:00pm on Friday, July 11 (for 3-Day Schedule), and at 7am Saturday, July 22 (for 2-Day Schedule).
OTHER CHESS FESTIVAL EVENTS!
Scholastic Tournament (Link Coming Soon)
Scholastic BUGHOUSE TOURNAMENT (onsite registration)
FIDE BLITZ TOURNAMENT (link coming soon)
- FIDE Blitz Tournaments - Link coming soon, onsite registration available:
- Blitz entry $25 each. 80% of entry fees returned as prizes.
- Scholastic Bughouse entry $20 per team. Trophies to the top 4 teams.
FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO SET THE MOST COMMONLY USED CHESS CLOCKS, PLEASE SEE How to Set Chess Clocks
There will be a chess store selling clocks, pieces, boards, some books and other chess items onsite.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
email
peter.craney@gmail.com
**FACE MASKS WILL NOT BE REQUIRED.**
Masks will not be required but their use is encouraged. Your attendance at this event signifies your acceptance of the risks involved and willing to play other players with or without a masks. If you are unable or unwilling to comply, do not attend.
Any harassment of other participants who may or may not be wearing a mask will not be tolerated.