August 28, 2025 to September 1, 2025
Wyndham Garden McAllen
1921 S 10th St, McAllen, TX 78503
International (FIDE and US Chess rated)
U2200 (FIDE and US Chess rated)
U1800
U1400
U1000
Open to all US Chess and TCA members. Foreign titled players (GM, IM, WGM, WIM) do not need US Chess membership. Unrated players may play in any section.
This is an individual-team event. Teams may consist of any number of players representing an organization (including a school, college, chess club, company or family) or residing in the same county. The organizer may require proof of team eligibility at its discretion.
International: $150 by June 30, $200 by July 30, $225 by August 15, $250 by August 22, $300 thereafter
All Other Sections: $75 by June 30, $100 by July 30, $115 by August 15, $125 by August 22, $150 thereafter
GMs and foreign IMs free entry in International section
Play-up fee: $100 for International, $50 for other sections (waived if within 50 points)
Seniors (65+) $10 discount (use code: STILLGOTIT) Onsite Registration: $25 additional fee (closes an hour before round one)
International Section
Place Prizes: $3000 first, $1500 second, $500 third. 120 Enhanced Grand Prix Points.
Special Collegiate Prizes: $400 top college, $250 second, $150 third
Top college student earns title 2025-26 Southwest Collegiate Champion, plaque, and name engraved on trophy
Top female college student earns title 2025-26 Southwest Collegiate Women’s Champion and plaque
Collegiate team titles and collegiate women’s team titles also awarded
Armageddon playoff for tied college individual or women’s champion
College prizes stack with main prizes
All Other Sections:
Points-based prizes as follows: $1000 for seven points, $750 for 6.5 points, $500 for six points, $200 for 5.5 points and $50 for five points.
Everyone:
Birthday bonus: $25 for players with at least an even score whose birthday occurs during the tournament.
The four highest scores from all sections combined (except last two rounds of International) will be used for team awards. The top five teams receive four plaques each.
Modified Median, Solkoff, Cumulative, Cumulative of Opposition, Coin Toss
Players who fail to appear within 30 minutes of round start forfeit the game unless the Chief TD otherwise provides for good cause.
Thursday, August 28
6:00 pm – Round 1
Friday, August 29
9:00 am – Round 2
4:00 pm – Round 3
Saturday, August 30
9:00 am – Round 4
4:00 pm – Round 5
Sunday, August 31
9:00 am – Round 6
4:00 pm – Round 7
Monday, September 1
8:00 am – Round 8
2:00 pm – Round 9
Friday, August 29
4:00pm – Round 1
8:30 pm – Texas Puzzles Championship
Saturday, August 30
9:00 am – Round 2
1:30 pm – Round 3
6:00 pm – Texas Bullet Championship
7:30 pm – TCA Annual Membership Meeting
Sunday, August 31
9:00 am – Round 4
1:30 pm – Round 5
6:00 pm – Texas Blitz Championship
8:00 pm – Texas Freestyle Championship
Monday, September 1
9:00 am – Round 6
1:30 pm – Round 7
Texas Blitz Championship: The Blitz Championship will be six rounds with a G/5 time control. There will be two sections: Championship and U1600. This is rated. The entry fee is $25.
Texas Bullet Championship: The Bullet Championship will be nine double rounds (eighteen games total) with a G/1 time control. This is not rated. The entry fee is $15.
Texas Freestyle Championship: Freestyle, also known as Chess 960 or Fischer Random, is a chess variant where the starting position is randomized. The Freestyle Championship will be five rounds with a G/10 time control. This is not rated. The entry fee is $20.
Texas Puzzles Championship: TBD
General: The highest-ranking player(s) in each of the above tournaments (or the championship section thereof, if subdivided) will be declared state champions. Players are not required to compete in the main event. 70% of entry fees will be returned as prizes. Sections may be further subdivided or merged if appropriate due to turnout. The other rules for the main event apply unless the organizers otherwise provide.
TCA Annual Membership Meeting: This is a business meeting where members will hear reports from officers and vote on important business affecting the Association. All TCA members who are Texas residents and at least 16 years of age are voting members. Everyone is welcome to attend. An agenda will be posted on the TCA website at least two weeks in advance.
Chess sets provided; bring your own clock
Notation required except in U1000
Food and drinks are not allowed in the playing hall. Water is the only exception.
Players may request up to two half-point byes (must be submitted at least one hour before the round and before 1:00 pm Sunday; half-point byes for both rounds on Monday are not allowed; last round byes not allowed in International)
No electronic devices (except necessary medical equipment and clocks) in International and U2200. 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 August 22, subject to a $25 fee.
Only Texas residents are eligible for state champion titles. International and U2200 use FIDE and US Chess ratings; all others use US Chess August supplement; foreign ratings must be disclosed and may be converted
FIDE rules govern play for the International and U2200 (except that US Chess rules will be used for prizes in both and pairings in the U2200); US Chess rules will be used for all other sections 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.
Wyndham Garden McAllen
1921 S 10th St, McAllen, TX 78503
956-994-0505
*For room rates mention banquet rates.
https://www.kingregistration.com/event/91SWO
admin@texaschess.org / Text: David Ortiz 832-908-5462
The annual Southwest Collegiate Champion trophy will be displayed at the event, engraved with the winner’s name each year, and kept by TCA between tournaments. For players receiving at least $600 in cash prizes (and foreign players if applicable), the player must provide the necessary information for tax reporting purposes before prizes will be paid. We reserve the right to merge sections or make other adjustments to the above if, in our sole discretion, unexpected circumstances require it.