Set up a classical chess weekend at the Houston FIDE 2026 on May 1-3, 2026 in Houston, United States. Texas Chess Center hosts five rounds of long-play chess at its Bellaire location and offers three sections, including two FIDE-rated options. The event fits ambitious improvers and experienced competitors who want a clear schedule, serious time control, and a guaranteed cash payout in both the Championship and U1800 fields.

Choose a 3-day schedule that starts on Friday evening or a 2-day schedule that begins on Saturday morning. You play every round at G/90 +30, and the organizer uses US Chess monthly ratings for pairings. The tournament guarantees $1,540 in cash prizes across the Championship and U1800 sections, and it awards trophies in the U1400 section.

🗓️ Event Details

🏆 Prize Fund

Texas Chess Center guarantees all listed prizes. The tournament pays cash prizes in the Championship and U1800 sections and awards trophies (no cash) in the U1400 section.

Championship (Cash)

U1800 (Cash)

Texas Chess Center also offers a minimum-prize guarantee for the first three GM/IM entries: $200 for a GM and $100 for an IM, valid through the late-fee deadline, and it requires the player to play all rounds.

⏱️ Time Control & Pairings

The tournament uses G/90 +30 in every section. Texas Chess Center uses US Chess monthly ratings for pairings. The organizer applies a 1-hour default late forfeiture time. Texas Chess Center offers re-entry for half the late-fee price.

📂 Sections / Groups

📅 Schedule

3-Day Schedule (May 1–3, 2026)

2-Day Schedule (May 2–3, 2026)

📝 Registration

Register here: https://www.texaschesscenter.com/store/p/houston-fide-2026

Texas Chess Center sets section fees by deadline:

• Championship: $108 (by March 20), $123 (by April 21), $138 (late)

• U1800: $88 (by March 20), $103 (by April 21), $118 (late)

• U1400: $78 (by March 20), $93 (by April 21), $108 (late)

Texas Chess Center charges $30 to play up when you qualify. You qualify to play up when your monthly or live (including provisional) rating sits within 150 points of the next section’s floor, and you can play up without a fee when your live/provisional rating meets or exceeds the next section’s floor.

Texas Chess Center offers re-entry for half the late-fee price. Texas Chess Center issues a full refund when you cancel more than 48 hours before the tournament begins. Texas Chess Center issues a 50% refund when you cancel between 48 hours and 2 hours before the start time. Texas Chess Center issues no refunds within 2 hours of the start time or for no-shows.

👥 Organizer

Texas Chess Center organizes Houston FIDE as part of its FIDE-rated tournament series in Houston and runs the event from its Bellaire location. The team manages entries, section selection, and tournament administration through the official registration page and supports special titled-player entry conditions by email when they apply.

• Email: info@texaschesscenter.com

• Phone: 469-498-7296

• Website: https://www.texaschesscenter.com/

🏨 Venue

Texas Chess Center – Bellaire, 4007 Bellaire Blvd, Suite HH, Houston, TX 77025, United States
Texas Chess Center hosts the tournament at its dedicated chess venue in the Bellaire area of Houston. The location sits on Bellaire Boulevard and provides an on-site playing space for multi-round weekend events. Plan your arrival around your chosen schedule’s Round 1 start time.

🚗 How to Get There

Fly into Houston via George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) or William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), then continue by rideshare or taxi to 4007 Bellaire Blvd, Suite HH, Houston, TX 77025. If you drive, navigate directly to Bellaire Boulevard and confirm the suite location on arrival.

Play five long games, earn international-rated results where available, and compete for guaranteed prizes in a focused Houston FIDE weekend.