2020 South Texas Scholastic Chess Championships

2020 Texas South Scholastic Chess Championships

March 6-8

McAllen Convention Center

700 Convention Center Blvd, McAllen 78501

Hotel: The Embassy Suites, 800 Convention, C St, McAllen, TX 78501.(walking distance to the convention center) Phone: (956) 688-8329. HR: $119/$129, please reserve by 2/14 or rate may not be available. Mention (TCA) Texas Chess Association to get rate.

To reserve online use this link: http://embassysuites.hilton.com/en/es/groups/personalized/M/MFECOES-TCA-20200304/index.jhtml

Update: La Quinta and Cambria (hotels on convention center property) have rooms blocked for our group at a rate of $89. Cambria said they will also add additional rooms to the block if necessary & will keep them open until the week before the tournament to allow last minute qualifiers to get a room.

7 round Swiss System (No Elimination)

each player will have a booklet at their Round 1 board (notation sheets inside)

Entry Fee is $44 by 2/4, $56 by 2-27, $74 after and onsite.

Side Events:

Blitz - Saturday Night 7 pm

Registration Sat 12 noon - 6:45 pm Two Sections: K-6 and K-12

Bughouse - Saturday Night 8:30 pm

Registration Sat 12 noon - 8:15 pm Two Sections: K-6 and K-12

register at the registration center for Blitz and Bughouse

TCA - Texas Chess Association meeting Saturday night 8:35 pm Exhibition Hall

Registration:

High School Middle School Elementary Primary

Volunteers Needed Link to find out more

USCF group memberships will be available for purchase at chess control. $9 cash

Order your official tournament t-shirt in advance and pick it up at the tournament after 7 p.m. on Friday, 6 March. Orders can be placed online at bonlorcreations.square.site The link is for ordering North AND South state scholastic T-shirts.

Sections

Some rules and hints about which section to play.

Player must reside in Texas or go to a school in Texas.
6th grade players in Elementary Schools must play in Elementary sections.
6th grade players in Middle School Schools must play in Middle School sections.
9th grade players in High School Schools must play in High School sections.
9th grade players in Middle School may play in Middle School sections or
in High School sections and can play on the H S team that the junior high
school feeds into 10th grade.
*Private school and Home school 6th graders must play in middles school sections.
Private School and Home school 9th graders must play in high school sections.
* TCA has ruled that K-6 private schools may have their 6th graders play with
the rest of their team in the Elementary sections.

The following are some rules of thumbs (these are meant as guides and are not comprehensive and binding to all possible cases.)

6th grade players that are home schooled must play in Middle School. No exceptions have been given.

9th grade players that are home schooled must play in High School. Again, no exceptions have been given.

6th grade players that are in private school must play in Middle School unless the private school is k-6. (If a school has a 5th grade and no 7th grade, then the player should play in elementary. If a school has a 7th grade, then the 6th grader should play in middle school. A 5th-7th school should play in middle school.)

An exception for private school 9th graders that are in a k-9 school has not yet been rendered by the Texas Chess Association; therefore, these 9th graders must play in the High School Section. The TCA Scholastic Committee, (Victor Flores is the Chairperson,) can make an exception for very rare cases not covered by earlier rulings. Most cases have been discussed and ruled upon already.

What section does a public school 6th grader play? Well if the player is in an elementary school the player plays in one of the Elementary sections. If the player is in middle school, the player plays in middle school. (In general, if a school has a 5th grade and no 7th grade, then the player should play in elementary. If a school has a 7th grade, then the 6th grader should play in middle school. A 5th-7th school should play in middle school.)

Some of these are confusing. Just what is the Texas Chess Association trying to do? They have two goals. The first is that kids play in their sections. TCA wants the High School winner to be in High School, The Middle School winner be in Middle School, etc. etc. The second is that TCA realizes that it would be unfair in general to isolate a grade. For example, it would be unfair to a k-6 school to have the k-5 kids in elementary and the 6th graders in middle school. The k-5 kids could think that their best players are removed from their team, and the 6th grade players could feel that they have no chance to win in the middle school section.

The primary section was created after the rules were passed. So any player in grades k-3 can play in the primary or can play in the elementary. So a k-4 school may choose to play all their kids in one of the elementary sections. Note that a 3rd grader that is rated between 700 and 799 may choose to play in the Elementary J V (U800 section) as opposed to playing in the Primary Championship.

In general new players in elementary and middle school should play in the novice section, provided that they have not gotten too high a rating if they have played in one or two tournaments.

Another consideration is that players sometimes play in championships sections so that the school has enough players to form a team.

if you have any questions about what sections to play, please contact Barb Swafford, 214.632.9000

The TCA Scholastic Committee is the next higher body in authority.

This tournament will use the February Supplement.

TLA's

March 6-8 2020 A State Championship event. US Chess Junior Grand Prix!

2020 Texas South State Scholastic High School Chess Championships, 7SS, McAllen Convention Center, 700 Convention Center Blvd, McAllen, TX 78501. Tournament is open to any 9th-12th grade student living in Texas or going to school in Texas. Note that players may play in either the South or the North Central Championships or they may also play in both. Also note that if a student has played in another state’s closed championship, they may not play in this tournament. EF: $44 by 2/4; $56 by 2/27; $74 after 2/27/20 or on site. On Site Registration: Friday, 5:30-6:15pm, Saturday, 8-8:30am. Saturday registrants will receive a 1st Rd. 1/2-pt. bye. Two 1/2-pt. byes allowed as long as one of the byes is for round 1, if requested by the end of Rd. 2. Sections: High School (9-12) Championship, HS JV (9-12 Under 1000). See Article IX, Section 1E, TCA Bylaws for each section's eligibility requirement, https://texaschess.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/TCA-Bylaws-30-Aug-2015.pdf . Trophies for top 20 individuals and top 15 teams in each section plus participation medals for all, and plus Score Awards for players scoring 4 or more points that do not win an individual trophy. Top 5 Grand Champion trophies. For the High School the two sections will be merged and the top 10 players will be used to determine the grand champions. Note that trophies will not be given out in advance and must be picked up at awards ceremony. Please make arrangements for picking up trophies at award ceremony. Schedule: Round times vary depending on the Section. For round times check website. Time controls: All High School Sections: Rds 1 G/45 d5; Rounds 2-4 G/60; d5, Rds 5-7 G/75; d5. Side Events: See website for side events. Side event registration on site only. All registrations (except Side events) available on line: see www.dallaschess.com and you can download flyers and entry forms. Checks payable to Texas Chess Association. Mail entries to Dallas Chess Club, c/o Barbara Swafford, 2709 Longhorn Trail, Crowley, TX 76036. For tournament info, visit our website or contact Barbara Swafford, info@dallaschess.com or 214-632-9000. Refunds will be given only up to 2/27 with a $10 surcharge for withdrawing, after 3/1 there will be no refunds. There will be no substitution of team members. There will be a $10 change fee for changes after 2/27. There will be a $5 surcharge per player for phone registrations USCF membership is required. Proof of membership is required or player must join/renew their memberships. No registration/changes/or withdrawals by phone or email after 3/3/20 as we are driving to the site; after that date you must make changes at site (McAllen Convention Center). The Embassy Suites, 800 Convention, C St, McAllen, TX 78501. Phone: (956) 688-8329. HR: $119/$129, please reserve by 2/14 or rate may not be available. Mention Texas Chess Association to get rate. Check Website for other hotels. Note that the McAllen Convention Center does not allow outside food or drink to be brought into the Convention Center. NS, NC, W.

March 6-8 2020 A State Championship event. US Chess Junior Grand Prix!

2020 Texas South State Scholastic Middle School Chess Championships, 7SS, McAllen Convention Center, 700 Convention Center Blvd, McAllen, TX 78501. Tournament is open to any 6th-8/9th grade student living in Texas or going to school in Texas. See Article IX, Section 1E, TCA Bylaws for each section's eligibility. Just because a player is in 6^th or 9^th grade does not mean they can play. Check requirement https://texaschess.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/TCA-Bylaws-30-Aug-2015.pdf Note that players may play in either the South or the North Central Championships or they may also play in both. Also note that if a student has played in another state’s closed championship, they may not play in this tournament. EF: $44 by 2/4; $56 by 2/27; $74 after 2/27/20 or on site. On Site Registration: Friday, 5:30-6:15pm, Saturday, 8-8:30am. Saturday registrants will receive a 1st Rd. 1/2-pt. bye. Two 1/2-pt. byes allowed as long as one of the byes is for round 1, if requested by the end of Rd. 2. Sections: Middle School (6-8/9) Championship, MS JV (6-8/9 Under 900), MS Novice (6-8/9 Under 600). Trophies for top 20 individuals and top 15 teams in each section plus participation medals for all, and plus Score Awards for players scoring 4 or more points that do not win an individual trophy. Top 5 Grand Champion trophies. For the Middle School the three middle school sections will be merged and the top 15 players will be used to determine the grand champions. Note that trophies will not be given out in advance and must be picked up at awards ceremony. Please make arrangements for picking up trophies at award ceremony. Schedule: Round times vary depending on the Section. For round times check website. Time controls: All Middle School Sections: Rds 1 G/45 d5; Rounds 2-4 G/60; d5, Rds 5-7 G/75; d5. Side Events: See website for side events. Side event registration on site only. All registrations (except Side events) available on line: see www.dallaschess.com and you can download flyers and entry forms. Checks payable to Texas Chess Association. Mail entries to Dallas Chess Club, c/o Barbara Swafford, 2709 Longhorn Trail, Crowley, TX 76036. For tournament info, visit our website or contact Barbara Swafford, info@dallaschess.com or 214-632-9000. Refunds will be given only up to 2/27 with a $10 surcharge for withdrawing, after 3/1 there will be no refunds. There will be no substitution of team members. There will be a $10 change fee for changes after 2/27. There will be a $5 surcharge per player for phone registrations USCF membership is required. Proof of membership is required or player must join/renew their memberships. No registration/changes/or withdrawals by phone or email after 3/3/20 as we are driving to the site; after that date you must make changes at site (McAllen Convention Center). The Embassy Suites, 800 Convention, C St, McAllen, TX 78501. Phone: (956) 688-8329. HR: $119/$129, please reserve by 2/14 or rate may not be available. Mention Texas Chess Association to get rate. Check Website for other hotels. Note that the McAllen Convention Center does not allow outside food or drink to be brought into the Convention Center. NS, NC, W.

March 6-8 2020 A State Championship event.

2020 Texas South State Scholastic Elementary School Chess Championships, 7SS, McAllen Convention Center, 700 Convention Center Blvd, McAllen, TX 78501. Tournament is open to any K-5/6th grade student living in Texas or going to school in Texas. See Article IX, Section 1E, TCA Bylaws for each section's eligibility. Check requirement, https://texaschess.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/TCA-Bylaws-30-Aug-2015.pdf Note that players may play in either the South or the North Central Championships or they may also play in both. Also note that if a student has played in another state’s closed championship, they may not play in this tournament. EF: $44 by 2/4; $56 by 2/27; $74 after 2/27/20 or on site. On Site Registration: Friday, 5:30-6:15pm, Saturday, 8-8:30am. Saturday registrants will receive a 1st Rd. 1/2-pt. bye. Two 1/2-pt. byes allowed as long as one of the byes is for round 1, if requested by the end of Rd. 2. Sections: Elementary (K-5/6) Championship, Elementary JV (K-5/6 Under 800), Elementary Novice (K-5/6 Under 500). Trophies for top 20 individuals and top 15 teams in each section plus participation medals for all, and plus Score Awards for players scoring 4 or more points that do not win an individual trophy. Top 5 Grand Champion trophies. For the Elementary School the three sections will be merged and the top 15 players will be used to determine the grand champions. Note that trophies will not be given out in advance and must be picked up at awards ceremony. Please make arrangements for picking up trophies at award ceremony. Schedule: Round times vary depending on the Section. For round times check website. Time controls: All Elementary School Sections: rds 1-4 G/45; d5, rds 5-7 G/60; d5. Side Events: See website for side events. Side event registration on site only. All registrations (except Side events) available on line: see www.dallaschess.com and you can download flyers and entry forms. Checks payable to Texas Chess Association. Mail entries to Dallas Chess Club, c/o Barbara Swafford, 2709 Longhorn Trail, Crowley, TX 76036. For tournament info, visit our website or contact Barbara Swafford, info@dallaschess.com or 214-632-9000. Refunds will be given only up to 2/27 with a $10 surcharge for withdrawing, after 3/1 there will be no refunds. There will be no substitution of team members. There will be a $10 change fee for changes after 2/27. There will be a $5 surcharge per player for phone registrations USCF membership is required. Proof of membership is required or player must join/renew their memberships. No registration/changes/or withdrawals by phone or email after 3/3/20 as we are driving to the site; after that date you must make changes at site (McAllen Convention Center). The Embassy Suites, 800 Convention, C St, McAllen, TX 78501. Phone: (956) 688-8329. HR: $119/$129, please reserve by 2/14 or rate may not be available. Mention Texas Chess Association to get rate. Check Website for other hotels. Note that the McAllen Convention Center does not allow outside food or drink to be brought into the Convention Center. NS, NC, W.

March 6-8 2020 A State Championship event.

2020 Texas South State Scholastic Primary School Chess Championships, 7SS, McAllen Convention Center, 700 Convention Center Blvd, McAllen, TX 78501. Tournament is open to any 3rd grade and lower such as 2^nd grade student living in Texas or going to school in Texas. Note that players may play in either the South or the North/Central Championships or they may also play in both. Also note that if a student has played in another state’s closed championship, they may not play in this tournament. EF: $44 by 2/4; $56 by 2/27; $74 after 2/27/20 or on site. On Site Registration: Friday, 5:30-6:15pm, Saturday, 8-8:30am. Saturday registrants will receive a 1st Rd. 1/2-pt. bye. Two 1/2-pt. byes allowed as long as one of the byes is for round 1, if requested by the end of Rd. 2. Sections: K-1 Championship, Primary (K-3) Championship, Primary JV (K-3 w/Ratings Under 600). Trophies for top 20 individuals and top 15 teams in each section plus participation medals for all, and plus Score Awards for players scoring 4 or more points that do not win an individual trophy. Top 5 Grand Champion trophies. For the Primary School the three sections will be merged and the top 15 players will be used to determine the grand champions. Note that trophies will not be given out in advance and must be picked up at awards ceremony. Please make arrangements for picking up trophies at award ceremony. Schedule: Round times vary depending on the Section. For round times check website. Time controls: All Primary School Sections: rds 1-4 G/45; d5, rds 5-7 G/60; d5. Side Events: See website for side events. Side event registration on site only. All registrations (except Side events) available on line: see www.dallaschess.com and you can download flyers and entry forms. Checks payable to Texas Chess Association. Mail entries to Dallas Chess Club, c/o Barbara Swafford, 2709 Longhorn Trail, Crowley, TX 76036. For tournament info, visit our website or contact Barbara Swafford, info@dallaschess.com or 214-632-9000. Refunds will be given only up to 2/27 with a $10 surcharge for withdrawing, after 3/1 there will be no refunds. There will be no substitution of team members. There will be a $10 change fee for changes after 2/27. There will be a $5 surcharge per player for phone registrations USCF membership is required. Proof of membership is required or player must join/renew their memberships. No registration/changes/or withdrawals by phone or email after 3/3/20 as we are driving to the site; after that date you must make changes at site (McAllen Convention Center). The Embassy Suites, 800 Convention, C St, McAllen, TX 78501. Phone: (956) 688-8329. HR: $119/$129, please reserve by 2/14 or rate may not be available. Mention Texas Chess Association to get rate. Check Website for other hotels. Note that the McAllen Convention Center does not allow outside food or drink to be brought into the Convention Center. NS, NC, W.