2023 HOUSTON OPEN CHESS CHAMPIONSHIPS

Once again, sponsored by F&B Trophies, US Chess Affiliate A6034063 & Texas Chess Association Member

November 17 - 19, 2023

Houston, TX

$11,750 b/225 full-paid entries, 65% 92% guaranteed, but the Prize Fund for the Open Section is 100% Guaranteed!!

5SS - US Chess Rated - GPP: 60

*** US Chess and the Organizer of this event are committed to a safe and welcoming environment at our events, for all players and spectators. As part of this, US Chess has adopted Safe Play guidelines. You will find these at the US Chess Safe Play Hub. If you have any cause to feel unsafe or uncomfortable during your interaction with anyone at this event, please report the problem to a tournament director immediately. Each tournament director is wearing an official badge identifying them as a TD. US Chess and the Organizer of this event will follow up on the report in real time. Thank you for your attention to this important information.***

"OPEN" & "U2000" SECTIONS are FIDE RATED using FIDE Rules - 5SS, G/90, i30 (US Chess Ratings used for pairings)

ALL OTHER SECTIONS - 5SS, G/120, d5.

Game 1 of 2-Day Schedule is G/60, d5 for ALL sections. Game 1 of 2-Day Schedule is not FIDE rated for Open or U2000.

Free entry for GMs, IMs, WGMs and WIMs

3-Day or 2-Day Schedules Available

PLEASE BRING YOUR CHESS SET AND CLOCK. THOSE ARE NOT PROVIDED BY THE TOURNAMENT ORGANIZERS. FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE, THERE WILL BE A CHESS STORE ON LOCATION SELLING CHESS RELATED ITEMS, INCLUDING THESE.

ADDED EVENTS!

Lecture and Q&A by 2017 U.S. Women's Chess Champion, WGM Sabina Foisor! Saturday, 12 Noon (free of charge!). Mainly for Girls and Women chess players, but all welcome. WGM Foisor will also play in the Houston Open Championship.

20-Board Simul by GM Daniel Fernandez

Saturday, 4pm, $20 online by 11/17; $25 onsite

SPECTATOR POLICY

SPECTATORS (NON-PLAYING INDIVIDUALS) WILL NOT BE ALLOWED IN THE TOURNAMENT ROOM DURING TOURNAMENT PLAY. PLAYERS WHO HAVE COMPLETED THEIR GAMES MAY STAY IN THE TOURNAMENT ROOM TO WATCH OTHER GAMES UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THEY LEAVE THE PLAYING HALL.

DETAILS & REGISTRATION

LOCATION

DoubleTree by Hilton

15747 John F. Kennedy Blvd.

Houston, TX 77032

(take the JFK exit off of Beltway 8 in north Houston near IAH Airport)

Complimentary Hotel Self-Parking;
Free Shuttle Service from Bush Int'l (IAH) Airport to/from Hotel - please call hotel for pick-up service (281-848-4000);
Basic Internet in Each Room!

SPECIAL HOTEL CHESS RATE: $89 & tax

THE DEADLINE FOR RESERVING ROOMS AT THE CHESS RATE HAS BEEN EXTENDED UNTIL NOVEMBER 6.

Please go to Online Reservations for Houston Open, or call the hotel's direct line at 855-610-8733, and mention HCO.

FORMAT

5SS - US Chess Rated

OPEN & U2000 Sections Only (US Chess-Rated and FIDE- Rated using FIDE Rules): G/90, i30

All other Sections: (US Chess Rated): G/120, d5

All sections, including Open and 2000 will use US Chess ratings for pairings and prizes.

US Chess November 2023 Rating Supplement.

SECTIONS & PRIZES

OPEN & U2000 Sections are FIDE Rated using FIDE Rules.

OPEN: $1500 + plaque - $900 - $500 - $300 - $200. Special prize for top female player in the Open Section: $250 (Winner may also be eligible for place prizes.

(U2200): $700-400

U2000: $800 + plaque - $400 - $200 - $125 - $100

U1800: $800 + plaque - $400 - $200 - $125 - $100

U1600: $800 + plaque - $400 - $200 - $125 - $100

U1300.: $600 + plaque - $300 - $200 - $100

U1100: $450 + plaque - $225 - $150 - $100

* Plaque for Top High School (9-12), Top Middle School (6-8), Top Elementary School (4-5) and Top Primary School (Pre-K - 3) students in the U1100 Section only. In addition to the plaque, a student may also win a cash prize based on the standings.

*Commemorative Chess Clock for oldest and player whose home is farthest from site (among all sections).

* UNRATED PLAYERS MAY PLAY IN ANY SECTION EXCEPT U1100.

In the event of a tie, plaque winners will be determined by US Chess-recommended tiebreaks (MSCO). Official November 2023 US Chess Rating Supplement used.

SCHEDULES & ROUND TIMES

3-Day Schedule

On-site Registration: Friday (11/17) from 5:30-6:45 pm

3-Day Round Times:

Friday, Nov. 17: 7:30pm

Saturday, Nov. 18: 1pm & 6pm

Sunday, Nov. 19: 9:30am & 3pm

*** * * * * * * ***

2-Day Schedule

On-site Registration: Saturday (11/18) from 8:00-8:30 a.m.

2-Day Round Times:

Saturday, Nov. 18: 9:30am & 1pm & 6pm

Sunday, Nov. 19: 9:30am & 3pm

* NOTE: Both Schedules merge on Round 2.*

BYES

Two 1/2-point byes are available for any round. You must advise the Chief Tournament Director and commit to any byes prior to the beginning of Round 3. After the start of Round 3, no voluntary byes may be added, changed or rescinded.

ENTRY FEES

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

REGISTRATION FOR TITLED PLAYERS (GM, IM, WGM, WIM) - $0

OPEN (including Unrated Players in the OPEN), U2000, U1800, U1600:

Early Entry Fee - $109 by 11/6;

Regular Entry Fee - $119 by 11/13;

Late Entry Fee - $125 after 11/13 and on site.

U1300:

Early Entry Fee - $79 by 11/6;

Regular Entry Fee - $89 by 11/13;

Late Entry Fee - $99 after 11/13 and on site.

U1100:

Early Entry Fee - $59 by 11/6;

Regular Entry Fee - $69 by 11/13;

Late Entry Fee - $79 after 11/13 and on site.

Discounted Entry Fee for Senior Players: in U1300: $59 by 11/6, $69 by 11/13, $79 after 11/13 or onsite.

Discounted Entry Fee for Senior Players: in U1600, U1800, U2000, & Open: $89 by 11/6, $99 by 11/13, $105 after 11/13 or onsite.

For Senior Player (65+) discount, please email flguadalupe@aol.com

Onsite registrations starts at 5pm, Friday, 11/17

Online registration for 3-Day Schedule ends on Friday, 11/17 at 4pm

Online registration for 2-Day Schedule ends on Saturday, 11/18 at 7am

Check not accepted for onsite registrations; cash and credit cards accepted.

REFUNDS LIMITED TO 80% OF ENTRY FEE PAID. NO REFUNDS AFTER NOVEMBER 15

RE-ENTRY FEE: $40 Re-entry is available prior to the start of Round 3 EXCEPT IN THE OPEN & U2000

For prize fund calculations, Entries in U1300/Unr. = 72% of full entry; U1000 entries = 54%; Re-entries = 37%

SIDE EVENT

BLITZ Tournament - Saturday 11/18 after Round 3, G/5;d0. Entry Fee, $20 onsite registration only.

FACE MASKS WILL NOT BE REQUIRED.

Face masks will not be required. Your attendance at this event signifies your acceptance of the risks involved and that you are willing to play other players with or without masks. If you are unable or unwilling to comply, do not attend.