POISON PAWNS CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP 2026 

Open to Poison Pawn members AND non-members*

US Chess RATED - MUST BE A US Chess MEMBER TO PARTICIPATE

WHEN:  Dec 4-6 or Dec 5-6. Three-day or two-day schedule, take your pick.

WHERE: Houston Chess Studio, 250 Patton St. Suite H, Houston TX 77009

FORMAT: 5 round Swiss, G/90, +30.  (round 1 of 2 day schedule is G/60,d5)

3 day schedule:  Round 1 at 6:30pm Friday night. Round 2 at 1pm Saturday and Round 3 at 6pm.  Round 4 at 9:30 am Sunday and Round 5 at 2:00 pm. 

2 day schedule:  Round 1 is at 9:30am Saturday morning and is G/60, d5.  Then merges with the 3 day schedule for rounds 2-5.

ENTRY FEE:  Poison Pawns club members $80 anytime.  Non-members $105 thru Friday Nov. 27th; then $125 thru Wednesday Dec. 2nd; $145 thereafter. For membership info contact Edgar at:  PoisonPawnsChessClub@gmail.com  CHAMPIONSHIP BUNDLE $145: entry plus an event membership — full 100% prize rights (instead of 75%) and member pricing at all Poison Pawns events through the end of the calendar month (December 31, 2026). Same price as the late entry fee. QUARTERLY BUNDLE $180: entry plus a quarterly membership — full 100% prize rights (instead of 75%) and member pricing at all Poison Pawns events for 90 days. GMs and IMs may enter free, their entry fee will be deducted from winnings.

 

1 OPEN SECTION

ELIGIBILITY: Players rated over 2500 may not enter.

The Poison Pawns Chess Club member with the highest score gets their name engraved on Perpetual Plaque.

CASH PRIZES (based on 40 paid entries): 1st $500 GUARANTEED, 2nd $300, 3rd $200, Under 1400 $150. If fewer than 40 paid entries, the 2nd, 3rd, and Under 1400 prizes are reduced proportionally (advertised prize ÷ 40 × paid entries). 1st place stays $500 guaranteed no matter what.                

*PRIZE ELIGIBILITY: Members always receive 100% of cash prizes. Non-members paying the early ($105) or standard ($125) entry fee are eligible for 75% of cash prizes. Anyone paying the $145 late fee gets full 100% prize rights — the late fee includes a weekend membership.  

DRAWS BY AGREEMENT PRIOR TO 30 MOVES AND BOTH PLAYERS ARE INELIGIBLE FOR ANY PRIZE MONEY!

CANCELLATION:  You may cancel up to 24 hours before the beginning of round 1 and get a refund of what you paid minus $15, or you may apply the entire amount towards a future entry fee.

BYES: One ½ point bye available, must be declared before the beginning of round 2.  No last round byes except for zero point byes.

RE-ENTRY: If you are in the 3-day schedule, after round 1, you may re-enter immediately for $35 and be given a choice of a ½ point bye for round 1 OR you may choose to play in round 1 of the 2-day schedule.  If you are in the 2-day schedule you may re-enter immediately after round 1 and take a ½ point bye for round 1.

HOTEL INFO:  Holiday Inn Express, 3401 N. Main St., is less than a mile from The Studio. Phone 832-834-6197 and ask for The Houston Chess Studio discount, or if booking online use code ALDR9.  Also within a mile is the Heights House Hotel, an America’s Best Value, and a Luxury Inn.  Google them for info.

THE HOUSTON CHESS STUDIO:  Houston’s only ‘brick and mortar’ chess  venue is dedicated to providing a quality, high tech, chess playing experience for players of all levels.  Centrally and conveniently located at 250 Patton St., Suite H, Houston TX 77009.  Just inside North Loop 610 and just 2 blocks off North I-45.  There are 3 restaurants in the same strip center as The Studio: The Red Hot Noodle (Asian), Subway, and Patron Pizza.  Several others are within walking distance.  Plenty of FREE parking.

SCANNING  All players are subject to being scanned (“wanded”) in order to help prevent cheating.

UPCOMING EVENTS  https://www.kingregistration.com/affiliate/poisonpawns

QUESTIONS?  Contact Edgar at poisonpawnschessclub@gmail.com