A 5 Round Swiss

Sections: Open, U1600, U1000, U600

Projected Prizes: $1,600

Including $500 Guaranteed Prize, 10 Grand Prix Points and

Texas Action Champion title for First in the Open Section

One Day Event: G/30;d5

Benefits

1. State Championship Status

Do you want to be known as the best chess player in Texas for one hour games? As an official state championship sponsored by the Texas Chess Association, we have the high honor of making this possible by awarding the title of Texas Action Champion.

2. Grand Prix Event

This tournament is one of the very few upcoming events in Texas that qualify as a grand prix event. We will be awarding 15 Grand Prix points (Enhanced), with ten points for first place and five points for second place in the Open section.

In case you are not familiar with the grand prix, it is a US Chess program that recognizes the ten players who win the most points in qualifying events. Essentially, if you make into the top ten, it is proof that you are among the best of the best. It also means that you receive a substantial cash prize from US Chess. Also note that in 2021, 101 points was needed to make it into the top ten (and 171 for first), so winning the Texas Action Championship could make a significant dent on your pathway to grand prix success.

3. Beginners Are Welcome

This tournament is not just for high-rated players. There will be three under sections in the hopes that players compete against other players of similar ability and are not crushed by opponents they have no chance defeating anytime soon. The Texas Action Championship will also be one of the very few cash prize events that offers a U600 section. Most other cash prize events stop at U1000 or higher, dooming beginners to lackluster results.

4. An Opportunity to Explore Waco

This unique event is set in the heart of downtown Waco, overlooking the Brazos river and the historic 1870 suspension bridge. Within a mile or less is the Dr. Pepper Museum, Magnolia Market and the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame & Museum. Cameron Park Zoo and the Waco Mammoth National Monument are also nearby.

5. Savings Potential

We recognize the hardships of inflation. Accordingly, our starting entry fees ($38 for the Open and $28 for all other sections) are much lower than the entry fees that are charged as we move closer to the event. If you want a deal, register now. Not sure if you can come yet? No need to worry. Your entry fee is fully refundable until seven days before the event. No questions asked. No hassle. Just ask for a refund by the deadline and your refund will be on its way in no time.

Texas Blitz Championship

Do you want to be officially known as the best blitz chess player in Texas? If so, the Texas Blitz Championship, a newly created state championship, may be for you. It will be held during the morning before the Texas Action Championship. In addition to an opportunity of winning the title and cash prizes, this championship will also offer players a chance for a warmup before the main event so that their mind is all ready to go when the time comes.

Rounds: Four Rounds. Swiss system.

Time Control: G/5;d0

Schedule: Starts one hour before the Texas Action Championship and should finish 10-15 minutes before it is scheduled to begin.

Entry Fee: $10

Rating: This is a USCF-rated blitz event and will affect your blitz rating only.

Prizes: 50% of entry fees returned as cash prizes.

Incorporation: The rules for the main event also apply to the blitz championship as far as they are applicable and not inconsistent with these specific provisions. However, the provisions about illegal moves, notation and byes do not apply to the blitz.

The Fine Print

Qualifications: All chess players, regardless of residence, are welcome as long as they meet the membership requirements. You must have an unexpired USCF and TCA membership in good standing on the day of the tournament. If you do not have these memberships at the moment, you can still register but you will need to purchase/renew them before the tournament. Please note, however, that while residents of other states may participate and win cash prizes, state champion titles are for Texas residents only.

Entry Fee: For the Open section, $38 by 5/20; $50 by 6/17; $55 by 7/15; and $65 thereafter. For all other sections, $28 by 5/20; $35 by 6/17; $40 by 7/15; and $50 thereafter.

Registration: To register, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2023-texas-action-chess-championship-registration-599722093927 Online registration will close at 10:00pm on the day before the tournament. If you are registering online, Eventbrite fees may apply; such fees are nonrefundable. We will also accept registrations through the mail (please email us for details if you choose this option). For players registering onsite, a $5 convenience fee applies. Onsite registrations must be received before the second round has been paired.

Byes: Every player is entitled to one half point bye if requested before the close of online registration. After that time, all requested byes will be for zero points. The only exception is that players registering onsite will automatically be granted a half point bye for the first round as the pairings for that round are produced the day before the tournament.

Schedule: Schedule: Blitz: 9:00-9:50am; Action: Round 1, 10:00-11:00am; Round 2, 11:15am-12:15pm; Lunch Break; Round 3, 1:00-2:00pm; Round 4, 2:15-3:15pm; and; Round 5, 3:30-4:30pm. There is no awards ceremony.

Prizes: For the Open section, $500 for first place, $150 for second place and $50 for third place, all of which is unconditionally guaranteed. For all other sections, $200 for first place, $75 for second place and $25 for third place, with the prizes in each under section being proportionally reduced if less than thirty paid entries (net of refunds) are received for such section. As a variation to the default prize rules in the Official Rules of Chess and as authorized by Rule 32A, the rule whereby events offering based-on prizes in excess of $500 are deemed to be guaranteeing 50% of such prizes (namely Rule 32C4b) will not apply to this event, so that prizes in the under sections may be proportionally reduced even if the reduction exceeds 50%. Prizes will be paid by check (or another reasonable method of payment) after the event. In the event of ties, prizes will be equally divided between the tying players in conformity with the Official Rules of Chess. However, if two or more Texas residents tie for first place in the Open section, all of them will be recognized as co-champions.

Notation: Absent a physical or developmental disability rendering a player unable to notate, notation is required in all sections except the U600 section. Failure to notate when required to do so will incur a five minute deduction against one's time. All players are encouraged to provide electronic copies of their notation to the organizer. Any notation received will be referred to the Editor of Texas Knights and may be published at his discretion.

Equipment: Chess boards and pieces will be provided by the organizer. If you own a chess clock, please bring it, but you can still play even if you do not own a chess clock. If both players in a game lack clocks, they will play without a clock, but we will put a clock on their board if the game goes long. The only exception is that all players in the blitz championship must bring clocks. Electronic notation approved by US Chess will be allowed and notation sheets will be provided free of charge as well.

Section Assignment: You may play up. If you initially register for an under section and then move to the Open section, you will be charged a $15 section adjustment fee because the entry fee for the Open is higher to allow for larger prizes. However, this fee will not apply if you were allowed to play in an under section when you registered but later are required to play in the Open section because your rating increased after registration.

Rating: This tournament will use your regular rating as shown on the July Supplement for the purposes of section qualification and pairings. If you do not have a regular rating according to that supplement but have another US Chess rating, that rating will be used (if more than one, whichever rating the tournament director deems appropriate). Players with foreign ratings are required to disclose such ratings and the tournament director may make such adjustments to the deemed rating of said players as he thinks proper.

Unrated Policy: There are no prize caps for unrated players. However, the tournament director may assign a rating to an unrated player, in his sole discretion, if the player has a FIDE rating, a foreign rating or a rating on a widely-used online chess platform like chess.com. If no rating is assigned, an unrated player may choose any section.

Illegal Moves: As a variation of the Official Rules of Chess, an illegal move that is not corrected within three moves shall stand. The default rule is that illegal moves may be corrected up to ten moves away. The organizer believes that a lookback of up to ten moves is impracticable for events with shorter time controls like the Texas Action Championship and bears a significant risk of players intentionally making or missing illegal moves for their own benefit.

Spectators: Except for players with games in process, our tournament directors and staff, members of the press and officers/staff of the Texas Chess Association, no spectators will be allowed in the Tournament Hall while games are underway.

Accommodations: The organizer will, as far as it is feasible and allowed by the Official Rules of Chess, provide reasonable accommodations for physical and developmental disabilities in the hopes of ensuring that this tournament is accessible to all. If an accommodation may be required, please contact the organizer as soon as possible.

Food: We will be making food arrangements with an outside caterer shortly and hope to have further information concerning food soon. There are also many restaurants within a mile or so of the Convention Center. Players may not consume food or beverages in the Tournament Hall with the sole exception of water.

Amenities: The tournament will be held in the Texas Room South 116-118 on the first floor of the Waco Convention Center. There will be a separate room adjacent to the Tournament Hall, the Texas Room North 115, that will serve as a waiting area for players and their families. Abundant seating is also available throughout the Convention Center. Water will be provided in both the Tournament Hall and waiting area. Chess control will be at tables outside of the Tournament Hall to answer questions and provide assistance.

Terms: By registering for this tournament, you agree to the terms and conditions of participation, which are available at innovativechesssolutions.com/legal-notices. These terms include exculpatory provisions, including but not limited to indemnification, limitations of liability and remedies, acknowledgement of risk and force majeure. Also note that the organizer is reserving, among other rights, the right to merge, divide and adjust sections as it deems necessary. Please read carefully.

Helpful Links

• Organizer website: https://innovativechesssolutions.com/
• US Chess Membership: https://new.uschess.org/join-us-chess
• TCA Membership: https://texaschess.org/memberships/
• Convention Center Map: https://wacocc.com/planners/floor-plans/
• Official Rules of Chess: https://new.uschess.org/news/7th-edition-rule-book-free-chapters-updated-2023
• Contact: csbrown.entrepreneur@gmail.com