89th Annual Southwest Open

Chess Championships

Houston, TX

+ Southwest Scholastic Chess Championships

+ Blitz Tournament    +GM Simul
Fri, Sept 1, 2023 - Mon, Sept 4, 2023

(9/2 - 9/4, 3-day schedule)

7SS - US Chess Rated - GPP:  60
G/90 + 30-second Increment (All Sections)
Open & Reserve sections are FIDE Rated
(using FIDE rules)
US Chess Regular Ratings, September 2023 US Chess Rating Supplement, used for section eligibility. US Chess rules used for pairing all sections.

All players must have a current USCF membership

(except foreign titled GM/IM/WGM/WIM).

 

TRANSMISSION OF THE TOP FIVE BOARDS AVAILABLE AT:

 https://view.livechesscloud.com/#9d8e99f2-a9c0-4d29-b422-68e8815b2fec

Location

Sheraton North Houston at George Bush Intercontinental

15700 John F Kennedy Blvd, Houston, TX 77032
(take the JFK exit off of Beltway 8 in north Houston near IAH Airport)

To get our event discounted room rate of $95+taxes per night, must book by 08/25/23. At their discretion, the hotel staff may extend the deadline for reservations at the group rate.
Google Maps Link   |  Discounted Room Rate Booking Link  |   Hotel Overview  

Free shuttle service to/from IAH to the hotel (call 281-442-5100 for details)

Hotel check-in is at 3pm, check-out 12 noon
Complimentary on-site parking
Free basic internet in hotel room
Off-site overflow parking is at Doubletree by Hilton (across the street)
To book hotel room by phone you can call 281-442-5100 or 800-325-3535 and mention “2023 Southwest Open)

 

Registration

Advance Online registration is the best method.
Find the “Register Button” at the bottom or top of this page.
Online registration will close at 4:30pm CST on Friday, 9/1 (for 4-Day Schedule), and at 7:30am Saturday, 9/2 (for 3-Day Schedule).
(Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express)

On-site Registration
(as long as spots are still available) 

No checks accepted at site (cash or credit cards only).

Registration via USPS Mail*

By Mail: You may send a check, payable to "Francisco Guadalupe," with registration info (Name, US Chess ID, Section, Schedule, Byes if any, Address, Email Address, and Telephone Number) to:

Francisco Guadalupe

305 Willow Pointe Dr.

League City, TX 77573
** please make sure to mail this at least 1-2 weeks in advance of the tournament and check the online registration list to ensure your registration was received **
 

Sections
Open (any rating, FIDE* & USCF rated)
Reserve (Under 2000 & unrated, FIDE* & USCF rated)
Novice (Under 1400 and unrated, USCF rated)
*FIDE rules used to govern play
All sections will use US Chess Sept 2023 Rating Supplement (Regular OTB Ratings) for pairings and prizes.

***Unrated foreign players - please note, you are required to inform us of any existing FIDE/Canada/overseas rating for conversion purposes. Failure to do so could result in ineligibility for prize distribution.
 

 

Prizes

All sections will use US Chess Rules and Ratings for Pairings and Prize Distribution.
   
Open:  $1200 +plaque - $800 - $600 - $400 - $200
2200-2399 $750

2000-2199  $700
U2000 $650
Reserve:  $900+plaque - $600 - $400 Added: U1600 - $200
Novice:  $900+plaque - $600 - $400 Added: U1000 - $200

Unrated players in the Reserve and Novice sections are ineligible for Class prizes but eligible for place prizes.

"Champion's Plaque" awarded to the 1st Place finisher in each section, the highest finishing Collegiate Player in the Open Section, and the top Scholastic Player (K-12) in each section (Open, Reserve and Novice).

In the event of ties, plaque winners will be determined by US Chess tiebreaks (MSCO)

“Commemorative Chess Clock” for the oldest player and for the player whose home is the furthest from the venue (among all sections).

Entry Fee

Titled Players:  GMs, IMs, WGMs, and WIMs pay no Entry Fee.  IF YOU ARE A TITLED PLAYER, register online. The entry fee amount is automatically adjusted with the title.

GM, IM, WGM, WIM - $0 TO REGISTER

$109 EF if paid by 8/18/23, $120 by 8/25/23, $132 thereafter and on-site.
$65 EF by 8/18/23 (thereafter $80) for senior citizens (65-year old and over). Please contact us for the discounted registration option. Text us at 281.698.0068 or shoot an email to "southwestopen@gmail.com".
Withdrawal refunds will be made for the full amount minus transaction/paypal fees.

No refunds available after 8/29/23.
 

4-day or 3-day Schedule Available

Schedules merge at round 2

Byes

Two 1/2-point byes are available. You may not request byes for both rounds 6 & 7.  You must advise the Chief Tournament Director or Organizer and commit to any byes by 6:30pm on Saturday or before the end of round 2.  After the start of Round 3, no voluntary byes may be added, changed or rescinded.    

    

 

Chess Store

Chess sets and boards will not be provided by tournament staff, so bring your own. For those who may not have these items, there will be a chess store on-site to sell chess playing equipment, books, etc.

Southwest Scholastic Chess Championships

One-Day Scholastic event, at the same location as the 89th Southwest Open, Saturday, September 2, 2023.  For information please click here.

TCA Membership Meeting

*** 8:30am, Sunday, September 3, 2023 ***

Important: Please Read

Players are expected to

#1 show up with their own pieces, board, clock and writing instrument.
#2 inform the organizer/TD if you will miss a round or running very late prior to start of round

#3 know how to set your own clock - guidelines here
#4 parents are responsible for their children in between rounds - please ensure they are on their best behavior both during a round and afterwards

Spectator Policy

SPECTATORS (NON-PLAYING INDIVIDUALS) WILL NOT BE ALLOWED IN THE TOURNAMENT ROOM DURING TOURNAMENT PLAY.

 

 

Electronic Device Policy

Electronic score keeping devices will NOT be approved for use in the FIDE rated sections (Open and Reserve)
USCF approved electronic scorekeeping devices will be allowed in the Novice section.
Phones are NOT allowed on your person at all during a round. Keep them turned completely off, not silent, not vibrate, in a bag under the table or on top of the table near the board. Do not walk around with a phone.
Players may be wanded at any time. Do not wear a smart watch or any device capable of communication.

 

Other Activities & Events

Texas Chess Association meeting Sunday 9/3 at 8:30 am

Bughouse Tournament - 9:00 am Sunday, 9/3 - $25 on-site registration only

Blitz Tournament - 8:30 pm, Sunday, 9/3 - $20 on-site registration only

GM Simul - 4:30 pm Saturday 9/2/23 - $20 advance online, $25 if you sign up on-site

Questions?

Contact us via email to “southwestopen@gmail.com”.
You can also text message to 281.698.0068.

Text messaging is preferred - calls will likely not be answered right away.

Please identify yourself and the player’s name for reference.
Voicemails are welcome!
Chess Control will be in the Dallas room to address any tournament related inquiries.