In three weeks, T. H. Rogers will host the Houston Chess Association's (HCA) October tournament.  This will be a terrific opportunity for lots of our students to participate in a tournament and see what it is like.  HCA runs the major scholastic tournaments in the city, sponsoring one a month during the school year.  Our October tournament has grown into the largest local scholastic event during the Fall semester.  This is also our club's major fundraiser and we will need a lot of volunteer help.  Please read the following information carefully.

Playing in the Tournament

Like most scholastic events, this will be a 5 round swiss-style tournament.  That means everyone plays all 5 rounds.   No one is eliminated.  The tournament will take most of the day.  Check-in will be from 8:30 - 9:00 am.  Rounds will begin around 9:30 am.  Awards will be handed out around 4:30 pm.   Parents, please note: this is not school and this is not baby-sitting.  Not every parent needs to be there all day, but if you will not be there, you must make specific arrangements with another parent who accepts responsibility for watching your child.  You may not just drop your child off and leave.  If this is your child's first tournament, I would recommend highly that you be there for the entire day.  

We expect virtually all of you who signed up for chess team to participate in this event.  Unless you have a direct conflict, this will be the easiest tournament to get to for the entire semester.  Children not on the team can also participate.  We do ask, however, that they have passed the club's pawn test before entering any tournament.  The pawn test just shows that they know the rules of the game.  If they don't know the rules and can not pass the test, then they don't belong in a tournament yet.  Beyond that, local tournaments are designed so that children at all playing levels can participate in an appropriate section and have a chance of success.  They don't have to be the best players in the school or in their grade, just have an interest in playing.

If you plan on participating:

1. You have a choice of sections.  

If this is your very first tournament and you are wondering if you will like it, you can opt to play in one of the non-USCF sections.   These unrated sections give students the opportunity to try playing in a tournament without investing the $13 to become a United States Chess Federation (USCF) member.  Also, the rules are a little less strict regarding the use of clocks, etc.  If you are not on the T. H. Rogers chess team, you may choose which ever section you want to play in, USCF G/30 or non-USCF.

If you are on the chess team, we expect you to play in a USCF rated section.  If your rating is under 1200, check G/30 (G/30 refers to the time control on the clock.  It gives each side 30 minutes.)  If your rating is between 1200 - 1400, you can choose G/30 or G/45.  If it is over 1400, you should be playing G/45. 
 

Please check the expiration of your USCF membership.  Probably half of the club expires in October.  While you can can join or renew on the day of the tournament, it really slows down the registration process.  Therefore, we are asking that you take care of this now.   You can join or renew online by clicking here or by calling 1-800-388-KING (388-5464).  A Scholastic membership for children 14 and under costs $13/year.  A Youth membership for kids aged 15-19 is $20/year.  Discounts are available for multi-year memberships. See the web site for details.  Please take care of this right away.  If you do it online, please print a receipt.  You may need to show it at registration Saturday, October 9th.
 

2. If you need a bye.

In the past, we have had a number of parents ask if their children could participate in just part of the chess tournament.  The point of hosting a tournament is to encourage participation, to allow kids the opportunity to play who might not try a tournament otherwise.   Therefore, we are again allowing "byes" for a maximum of 2 of the 5 rounds.  In other words, if a child needs to miss the entire morning, but can get there by the start of the 12:30 round, they can play the 3 afternoon rounds.  Of course, they would have to understand they won't be in the running for a top finish.  

So, how does this work?  If the student asks for a one round "bye" in advance, they would be given a 1/2 point for that round.  If they need to miss 2 rounds, they would get no points for the 2nd missed round.  In other words they would come into round 3 with a 1/2 point.  
 

The restrictions would be: 

1. Mr. Liptrap would have to know by 4 pm October 8th how many and which rounds.
2. Byes will be given for 2 rounds at most.
3. Only one half point will be awarded whether the student misses one or two rounds.

Dealing with exceptions is always a lot of work.  Please do not ask for a bye frivolously.  Legitimate direct conflicts are the only reason to request one.
 

3. Get your entry form and payment in in a timely manner.

Entry forms can be printed from:  http://liptrap.topcities.com/hcao04.htm   They will also be available in chess club.  Once you register, please email me that you will be attending.  To get the lower $10 rate, entry forms must be postmarked by October 2nd and include payment.  You may also register online at:  http://liptrap.topcities.com/enter.htm  and pay $12 that Saturday morning.
 

 

Parent Volunteers

We will need significant parental support to make this a fun and successful event.  As you know from our parent orientation meetings in August, every family is required to provide at least 3 hours of help to the chess club per semester.  Assisting at the tournament can fulfill your obligation.  You don't need to know how to play chess yourself, as we have many non-chess related needs.  For example, we will be providing gallons of coffee to the parents and coaches in attendance.  In addition, we will be selling lunch..... pizza by the slice, snacks, drinks, etc.  

Martha Jenkinson