FREE THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS!
A TOURNAMENT TO BENEFIT THE 'CHESS FREEDOM FIGHTERS' OF US VIRGIN ISLANDS
A 3 ROUND SUNDAY SWISS at 1pm
BY US CHESS AFFILIATE: FREE THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS!
WHEN April 28th - Sunday
WHERE Houston Chess Studio, 250 Patton St. Suite H, Houston TX 77009
FORMAT 3 round Swiss G/60, d5. Rounds at 1pm, 3pm, 5pm
SECTIONS one section
ENTRY FEE Poison Pawn members $35 anytime. Non-members early entry is $45 through Saturday April 27th, then $55 the day of the tournament.
WHY? Primarily to publicize the current situation in US Virgin Islands. Also a token donation will be made to US Chess Affiliate A7695828, the USVI Chess Association, located in the US Virgin Islands, to help in their struggle to free the US Virgin Islands from the tyranical grip of FIDE. USVI has been a territory of the USA since 1917, people born there are US citizens. But the US Chess Federation recently banned all US Chess activity in that part of the USA on the grounds that FIDE considers USVI to be a separate nation (you can't make this stuff up!) and the USVI Chess Federation doesn't want US Chess tournaments on their "sovereign" territory. This donation is to be used exclusively for defensive and humanitarian aid and will help the "Chess Freedom Fighters" of US Virgin Islands in their valiant struggle to end this unjust tyranny. The "Freedom Fighters" want to be able to organize and play in US Chess events in the US Virgin Islands as they have been able to do until March of this year. This is their right as an affiliate in good standing according to US Chess bylaws Article VIII, Section 4. If others want to organize and play in other chess Federations tournaments that is absolutely okay. But US Chess should not be prohibiting Americans living in America from organizing and playing in US Chess events on American soil under the pretext that it is actually some other country. It is not. USVI is absolutely part of the USA. Please help the "Freedom Fighters" by registering for this benefit tournament. And it wouldn't hurt to let the US Chess Executive Board know how you feel.
PRIZES About 40% of entry fees, a little more or less, depending on total number of paid entires
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 1. No last round byes except for zero-point byes.
HOTEL INFO Holiday Inn Express, 3401 N. Main St., is less than a mile from The Studio. Phone 832-834-6197. Also within a mile is the Heights House Hotel, America’s Best Value Motel, and a Luxury Inn Motel. Google them for info.
THE HOUSTON CHESS STUDIO Houston’s only ‘brick and mortar’ dedicated chess venue, provides a quality chess playing experience for players of all levels, and their parents and spectators. 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. Always 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 David at houstonchessstudio@gmail.com