2024 South Texas State Scholastic Championships

2024 South Texas State Scholastic Championships, Health & Physical Education Complex of the UTRGV Campus, 1201 W University Dr, Edinburg, TX 78539. Chess sets, notations, pencils, and pens will be provided. Bring clocks. Free game analysis will be provided by members of the UTRGV Chess Team on both days.

The Pre-Registration List will be updated regularly on https://paperclippairings.com . Please send us an mail at Click here to show mail address if any information requires correction. During the tournament, the link above will serve for pairing and standing presentation.

Tournament Staff: Chief Tournament Organizer: GM Bartek Macieja, Deputy Chief Tournament Organizers: David Ortiz and Colt Smith-Munoz, Payments: Dulce Aguilera, Chief Tournament Director: IA Franc Guadalupe, Pairing Directors: James Houghtaling, Remy Ferrari, Brandon Flores.

Eligibility: open to Kindergarten - 12th grade students who reside or attend school in Texas Note that players may play in either the South Championships or the North Central Championships or they may play in both. Also note that if a student has played in another state’s closed championship, they may not play in this tournament.

Current USCF and TCA memberships required (For most participants, “TCA 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).

System of competition: 7SS, 9 sections: K1, Primary School (JV and Championship), Elementary School (JV and Championship), Middle School (JV and Championship), High School (JV and Championship). One 1/2-point bye is allowed if requested by March 16 at 9 am.

IF YOU INTEND TO SKIP THE FOLLOWING ROUND OR TO WITHDRAW FROM THE TOURNAMENT, PLEASE NOTIFY A PAIRING DIRECTOR, PREFERABLY AT LEAST AN HOUR BEFORE THE ROUND START TIME. Players who forfeit a game without notice shall be withdrawn from the tournament.

Schedule: First round on both days starts at 10 am. Check tournament website for more information.

Registration: Please fill out this Registration Form https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1zEk4GS2jLxG7VYfL9RKMbfufH-_5XoQSQuWdgooplUE/edit#gid=0 and send to chess@utrgv.edu

Entry fee: No P.O.'s will be accepted. No cash will be accepted. Individuals shall submit the payment online https://secure.touchnet.net/C20545_ustores/web/store_cat.jsp?STOREID=44&CATID=68 : $50 by February 27, $70 by March 5, $80 by March 15, $100 on March 16. Entries on March 16 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. For schools that pay with a check, the date of sending the batch form will be honored. No refunds after March 8. Refund charge: $5.

Tiebreak System: All players having the same final score may claim the same "place". You may change the plate on your trophy (at your own expense) to reflect this. The following tiebreak system order will be used to determine which tied player receives which trophy and other awards. For a description of each of these tiebreak methods, see the USCF's Official Rules of Chess. 1. Modified Median, 2. Median, 3. Solkoff, 4. Sonneborn-Berger, 5. Cumulative, 6. Coin Flip.

Team scores are composed of the total points of the four top-finishing players of the team. A team must have a minimum of two players to be included in the team standings. When team scores are identical, trophies will be decided by totaling the following tie breaks of the top four players. 1. Total Individual Median 2. Total Solkoff 3. Total Sonnenborn-Berger 4. Total Cumulative, 5. Coin Flip.

Pairing Rules: Players from the same school shall not be paired against one another. 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. More detailed information about the version and settings to be used will be published shortly before the start of the tournament.

Awards:

The winners, on tie-breaks if needed, of the HS Championship, MS Championship, and Elementary Championship qualify for a play-off with the winners of the same sections of the 2024 Texas Scholastic North to determine the Texas representatives for the 2024 Denker, Barber, and Rockefeller National Tournaments of State Champions. Likewise. the top girl (on tie-breaks if needed) in those three sections qualify for a play-off against the top girls in the same sections of the 2024 Texas Scholastic North AND the winners of the 2023 Texas Girls Championship in the same sections (up to nine girls, compared to two players each for the other play-off) to determine the Texas representative for the 2024 Haring National Tournament of Girls State Champions. Play-off date TBD and they will be online.

In the High School Championship section, the following scholarships to attend UTRGV will be provided by the Office of UTRGV President (prospective student must pass all requirements to attend):
➢ Best male student - $1,000
➢ Best female student - $1,000
➢ Second best male student - $500
➢ Second best female student - $500

In the High School Championship section, the following scholarships to attend any college will be provided by the Texas Chess Association (prospective student must pass all requirements to attend):
➢ Best male student - $1,000
➢ Best female student - $1,000
➢ Second best male student - $500
➢ Second best female student - $500

Additional $100 to the High School Championship section winner, regardless of sex.

Books with signatures of the UTRGV Chess Team will be awarded to the top 3 finishers of each championship section.

The top 3 finishers of each championship section will be invited for an online training session conducted by members of the UTRGV Chess Team. UTRGV was the National Collegiate Champions in 2018, 2019, and 2021.

Trophies will be awarded to the top 20 individual finishers in each section.

Participation medals will be provided to all participants registered by February 27.

Trophies will be awarded to the top 15 teams in each section.

Awards will not be split between participants / teams with the same number of points – the tie-break point system will be used.

Awards will not be given out in advance and must be picked up at the Awards Ceremony.

Side events: There will be a blitz tournament on Friday (March 15) and on Saturday (March 16). Both start at 6 pm.

Team rooms: Upon timely request, separate rooms in a walking distance to the playing venue are available for rent.

Safety: UTRGV remains committed to your safety, success, and experience. Read more on https://www.utrgv.edu/commitment/visitors/index.htm . Police officers will be present during the event.

Parking: Any vehicle parked on university property must display a permit at all times, except on weekends and university-approved holidays that require campus closure. If you intend to arrive on Friday, March 15 to participate in a blitz tournament, please print and take with you this Visitor Permit https://www.utrgv.edu/chess/_files/documents/tournaments/2024-south-texas-state-scholastic-championships/parking_permit.pdf (only valid for non-affiliated members of the university). Please display the parking permit on the dashboard of your vehicle. The permit allows access in Zone 1, 2, 3, and of course the Visitor spaces. The permit is not valid in lot E4 (pay station). If you have any questions, please feel free to contact UTRGV Parking Services at (956) 665-2738.

Accommodation for participants with disabilities will be ensured.