HOUSTON OPEN SCHOLASTIC

4SS - G30 d5

Individual and Team Prizes!

Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019 - First Round at 10:00 a.m.

OPEN TO ALL INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS FROM K-12

Sections:        K-2       K-5      K-8       K-12

NOTE: This is a US Chess-rated tournament; each player will need to have a current US Chess membership. For membership rates, please scroll down below. US Chess membership may be purchased or renewed on site at the tournament.  PLEASE BRING YOUR CHESS SET AND CLOCK.  THOSE ARE NOT PROVIDED BY THE TOURNAMENT ORGANIZERS.  FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE, THERE WILL BE A CHESS STORE ON LOCATION SELLING CHESS RELATED ITEMS, INCLUDING THESE.

Site Location: 

DoubleTree by Hilton (near IAH Airport), 15747 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Houston, TX  77032.  Separate room for scholastic tournament players.

Format: 4SS, G/30, d5 - US Chess Rated (4 rounds will be played using Swiss-Sys computer pairings; each opponent has 30 minutes to complete his/her game; digital chess clocks, if available, should be set to Game in 30 minutes with a 5-second delay for each move). 

Round Times:  On-site Registration on Saturday, Nov. 23rd between 8:30 - 9:30am. Rounds at 10am & 11:30am & 1:15pm & 2:30pm. Awards ceremony following completion of last round. 

Team Info:  This is an individual event awarding both individual and team trophies.  A team will consist of a minimum of three players from the same school or home-school district.  However, the top FOUR scores will count for final team standings, so it would be to your advantage to find a fourth team member (no “maximum” limit of number of players on a team).  

Prizes: Trophies to the top 5 Individuals and top 2 teams in each section; Participation Medals to all individual non-trophy winners.  players in the Scholastic Tournament.  Additional trophies may be awarded based on attendance. 

Electronic Notation Devices: The only four electronic chess notation devices which are approved for and allowed in a US Chess-rated tournament are the Monroi, eNotate PDA, Plycount and the Chess NoteR. You may use any of these devices, but the device must remain on top of the table at all times (you may not hold it under the table in your lap or under the tablecloth). The tournament director has the right to request to see your notation device at any time before, during or after your game.

Tiebreaks: US Chess-recommended computer tiebreaks will decide trophy and medal placements for winners in each section, if necessary.

Byes (1/2-point): You may take a 1/2-point bye for any Round. There is a limit of one bye per player for the 4 rounds of the Scholastic Tournament, and you must commit to take any bye prior to the start of Round 1.

Entry Fee: $20 if received by 11/5/19 11/9/19; $30 by 11/12/19, $40 thereafter and at site.