Event Overview
2026 Texas Senior Chess Championship
REGISTRATION: https://www.kingregistration.com/event/2026SeniorChamp
$375 First Place plus Trophy, 2nd & 3rd place trophies. PLUS the TCA will pay a $500 stipend for the winner to attend the 2026 Irwin tournament of Senior State Champions
A US Chess & Texas Chess Association sanctioned State Championship event
Organized by the Poison Pawns Chess Club, played at The Houston Chess Studio, 250 Patton St. Suite H, Houston TX 77009.
Always Plenty of FREE Parking at The Studio.
WHEN: Saturday, March 21, 2026 - Sunday, March 22, 2026
WHO CAN ENTER? - Any player aged 50 and over as of the first day of the John T. Irwin National Tournament of Senior State Champions 2026. The Texas resident winner of the Texas Senior Championship will be invited to play in the Irwin.
- Entry Fee: $65 if received by March 1st, 2026, otherwise $85. GMs & IMs get free entry, entry fee deducted from any winnings.
- US Chess and TCA Memberships Required.
- Out of state players are not eligible for any prizes
- 5 Rounds of G/75,d5
- Rounds: Saturday 10:00 am, 2:00 pm, 6:00 pm; Sunday 9:00 am, 1:00 pm.
- Tie-breaks used are: 1) Modified Median, 2) Solkoff, 3) Cumulative, 4) Cumulative of Opposition.
- One 1/2 point bye (rounds 1-4 only) is allowed if requested before round one
- Prizes: Trophies to top 3. $375 for first place, plus the trophy, plus the TCA will pay a $500 stipend to play in the "John T. Irwin National Tournament of Senior State Champions." 2nd & 3rd place trophies to Texas residents.
The Texas resident with the highest score after round five will be named, "2026 Texas Senior Chess Champion". If two or more Texas residents are tied with the highest score after round five, they will all be named co-champions. Out of state residents are not eligible for any prizes. Trophies will be awarded to the top three Texas resident finishers using tie breaks.
The Texas Senior Champion will be invited to represent Texas in the 2026 Annual "John T. Irwin National Tournament of Senior State Champions" and, after competing in that tournament, will receive a stipend of $500 from the TCA to help cover expenses of attendance at that event. If there are co-champions, the champion with the highest tie breaks will be invited to represent Texas in the national tournament and receive the $500 stipend. If the first place winner does not play in the National Senior Tournament then the 2nd place finisher will be eligible for the $500 stipend. If the second place winner does not play then the 3rd place finisher will be eligible.
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.
RESTAURANT INFO: 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.
Sections: 1, with a 2-day schedule.
Prize Fund: $375 plus trophies, plus a TCA $500 stipend
FIDE Rated: No
Handicap Accessible: Yes
Residency Restriction: Not to play, but must be a Texas resident to win any prize.
Online Event: No
ORGANIZER OVERVIEW: EDGAR ACOSTA
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 281-844-4139
Website: https://www.poisonpawns.club
250 Patton St, Suite H
HOUSTON, TX 77009
United States