2024 South Texas State Grade Championships: 6th to 12th Grade
Content updated as of October 25 at 6:25 pm.
Pairings and Standings are updated automatically and can be found HERE
Top games in each section are recorded and broadcasted live HERE
Exclusive master commentary and analysis from the UTRGV Chess Team of ongoing games can be found on our TWITCH CHANNEL
For pre-tournament communication, please contact us at chess@utrgv.edu or (956) 882-5761.
During the tournament, to improve the efficiency of mass communication, we will be using Telegram for the announcements. We recommend you installing it in advance.
The event will be played in the Student Union of the Brownsville Campus of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Room BSTUN 2.36
650 Ringgold Rd, 78520 Brownsville
Interactive Map of UTRGV Brownsville Campus
PDF Map of UTRGV Brownsville Campus
Chief Tournament Organizers: GM Bartek Macieja and LTD Colt Smith-Munoz
Payments: Ms. Dulce Aguilera
Senior Arbiters:
Chief Tournament Director: IA Louis Reed
Assistant Chief Tournament Director: STD Victor Bailey
Pairing Directors: STD Brandon Flores and LTD Remy Ferrari
Only Texas residents or students enrolled in secondary or primary schools (including home schools) in Texas may play in this event.
Current USCF membership is required.
Current TCA membership is required. For most participants, "Junior Online" membership is most suitable. It costs $3 and allows them to participate in all Texas championships within a year without any additional payment to TCA.
USCF and TCA Memberships will not be processed by the organizers.
There will be 7 sections:
- 6th Grade
- 7th Grade
- 8th Grade
- 9th Grade
- 10th Grade
- 11th Grade
- 12th Grade
Registration and Entry Fee Payment shall be made online. No POs.
$40 by October 15
$50 by October 21
$60 by November 1
$80 on November 2
Entries on November 2 will be permitted till 9:00 am. Players not registered by the cutoff time shall be paired from Round 2 only, unless the Chief Tournament Director decides otherwise.
One 1/2-point bye is allowed if requested by November 2 at 9 am.
Refunds by October 25; $10 refund charge.
6 rounds, Swiss System
The latest version of Swiss Sys will be used. Pairings created by this program are considered legal and will stand even if a pairing is not ideal, especially if pairings have been already posted. Current version is 11.55.
When individual scores are equal, the following order of tie-break systems will be used to designate individual awards:
1) Modified Median
2) Median
3) Solkoff
4) Sonneborn-Berger
5) Cumulative
When team scores are equal, the following order of tie-break systems will be used to designate team awards:
1) Total Individual Median
2) Total Solkoff
3) Total Sonneborn-Berger
4) Total Cumulative
• Trophies will be awarded to the top 6 individual finishers in each section.
• A trophy will be awarded to the top team in each section.
• Awards will not be split between participants / teams with the same number of points – the tie-break point system described in the Tournament Regulations will be used.
Awards will not be given out in advance and must be picked up at the Awards Ceremony.
After the conclusion of the last round, the winners of the 11th and 12th grade sections will play an Armageddon game for special awards:
• $1,000 scholarship to attend UTRGV (prospective student must pass all requirements to attend)
• $1,000 scholarship to attend any college (prospective student must pass all requirements to attend)
• Book "Chess Strategy Explained" (Volume 1) by UTRGV Chess Coach GM Bartek Macieja and IM Witalis Sapis, with signatures of the UTRGV Chess Team
The colors for the Armaggedon game will be decided by a coin flip. White will have 5 minutes and Black will have 4 minutes on the clock. There will be a 1-second increment. A draw is sufficient for Black to win the awards.
Upon timely request, team rooms in a walking distance from the playing venue are available. The cost of a standard-size room is $200 (total for both days). Please send us an email to chess@utrgv.edu advising how many people from your school (participants and accompanying people combined) will be attending the event, so we can assign a proper-size team room for you.
UTRGV remains committed to your safety, success, and experience. Read more
Parking will be free during the championships. Per university rules: "Any vehicle parked on university property must display a permit at all times, except on weekends and university-approved holidays that require campus closure."
Upon timely request, pre-ordered lunch combo (3 Tender Combo, Turkey Cheddar Melt, Grilled Cheese, or Hot Dog) is available. Use this link to order it at $9.95. All combos come with side of chips, cookie, and water.
• Chess sets, notations, pens, and clocks will be provided.
• Electronic notation devices shall not be used except for players with a disability and only with prior authorization.
• Free game analysis will be provided by members of the UTRGV Chess Team on both days.
• Accommodation for participants with disabilities will be ensured.
The tournament will use November 2024 USCF ratings.
Pairings and Standings can be found HERE
Links to Pairings, and Standings will be posted here during the tournament.