2025 Texas Senior Chess Championship

$1,250 First Place*  

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 22, 2025 - Sunday, March 23, 2025

WHO CAN ENTER? - Any player aged 50 and over as of July 28, 2025.  That is the begining date of the John T. Irwin National Tournament of Senior State Champions.  The Texas resident winner of the Texas Senior Championship will be invited to play in the Irwin.

• Entry Fee: $65 if received by March 19th, 2025, otherwise $85.
• US Chess and TCA Memberships Required.
• Out of state players must be members of their US Chess state organization or the TCA.
• 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.  $1,250 stipend to play in the "John T. Irwin National Tournament of Senior State Champions" goes to the first place winner that is a Texas resident.

The Texas resident with the highest score after round five will be named, "2025 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 2025 Annual "John T. Irwin National Tournament of Senior State Champions" and, after competing in that tournament, will receive a stipend of $1,250 ($750 from Poison Pawns Chess Club and $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 $1,250 stipend. If the first place winner does not play in the National Senior Tournament then the 2nd place finisher will be eligible for the $1,250 stipend.  If the second place winner does not play then the 3rd place finisher will be eligible. etc.

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 3-day or 2-day schedule.

Prize Fund: $1,250

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: POISONPAWNSCHESSCLUB@GMAIL.COM

Phone: 281-844-4139

Website:  https://www.poisonpawns.club