2026 TEXAS WOMEN'S CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP
Open to women 16 years and older who reside in Texas; must be at least 16 as of Oct 24, 2026; current US Chess and TCA memberships required. Join Texas Chess Association
US Chess RATED (Regular) - NOT FIDE RATED - MUST BE A US Chess MEMBER TO PARTICIPATE
WHEN: October 24-25, 2026
WHERE: Houston Chess Studio, 250 Patton St. Suite H, Houston TX 77009
FORMAT: 7-round Swiss, G/40 with 10-second increment.
Schedule: Saturday Oct 24 - Round 1 at 9:30am, Round 2 at 12:30pm, Round 3 at 3:30pm, Round 4 at 6:30pm. Sunday Oct 25 - Round 5 at 10:00am, Round 6 at 1:00pm, Round 7 at 4:00pm. Awards ceremony after Round 7.
ENTRY FEE: Poison Pawns club members $45 anytime. Non-members $50 thru Friday Oct 9th; then $70 thru Wednesday Oct 21st; $90 thereafter. For membership info contact Edgar at: poisonpawnschessclub@gmail.com. FREE ENTRY for FIDE-titled players (WCM/WFM/WIM/WGM) - enter online and your entry fee will be adjusted based on title.
1 CHAMPIONSHIP SECTION
The winner is crowned TEXAS STATE WOMEN'S CHAMPION and qualifies for the Texas Women's Collegiate Superfinals.
CASH PRIZES (based on 30 paid entries): 1st $800 GUARANTEED + Champion title & plaque; 2nd $500 + plaque; 3rd $300 + plaque. Total $1,600.
TIEBREAKS: No prize sharing on ties - tiebreaks are 1. direct encounter, 2. Buchholz, 3. number of wins.
CATEGORY PLAQUES: Top Senior (50+), Top Collegiate, Top U1800, Top U1400.
FAIR PLAY: No phones allowed in the playing hall. Bags must be left with coaches/chaperones in the designated room.
CHIEF TD: Edgar Acosta
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.
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.
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 or call/text 281-844-4139.