The summer of 2025 brings a premier classical chess competition to the vibrant city of Houston! The 2025 Houston Chess Festival, held from July 17 to July 21, 2025, at the prestigious Hilton Houston Westchase, offers players of all levels the chance to compete in a USCF- and FIDE-rated event boasting excellent organization, international title norms, and a generous prize fund. This event will feature five sections, welcoming everyone from Grandmasters to unrated enthusiasts.
Organized by the Texas Chess Center, this festival combines professional tournament standards with Southern hospitality. With over €13,800 (~$15,000) in guaranteed prizes, live broadcasting of top games, norm-eligible opportunities, and accelerated pairings in the Open, it is one of the region’s most anticipated chess events of the year.
📋 EVENT DETAILS
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Dates: | July 17–21, 2025 |
| Tournament Type: | Classical (FIDE- and USCF-rated) |
| Total Prize Fund (calculated in EUR): | €13,800 (Approx. $15,000) |
| Place: | Houston, Texas, USA |
| Venue: | Hilton Houston Westchase |
| Address: | 9999 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77042, USA |
| Organizer: | Texas Chess Center |
| Federation: | US Chess Federation (USCF), FIDE |
| Tournament Director: | Jeff French |
| Chief Arbiter: | IA Luis Salinas |
| Time Control: | 90 minutes + 30-second increment from move one |
| Number of Rounds: | 7 |
| Official Website: | texaschesscenter.com |
⏱️ TIME CONTROL
All games will be played using a classical time control of 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment starting from move one. This format allows for deep, strategic play and is ideal for norm eligibility and FIDE rating performance. Players must arrive within 30 minutes of the round start or risk forfeiting the game.
📅 TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
| Date | Time | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, July 17 | 6:45 PM | Round 1 |
| Friday, July 18 | 11:00 AM | Round 2 |
| Friday, July 18 | 5:30 PM | Round 3 |
| Saturday, July 19 | 11:00 AM | Round 4 |
| Saturday, July 19 | 5:30 PM | Round 5 |
| Sunday, July 20 | 9:30 AM | Round 6 |
| Sunday, July 20 | 2:30 PM | Round 7 |
| Monday, July 21 | 10:00 AM | Blitz Side Event (optional) |
Players in the 2-day schedule will play Rounds 1–3 on Friday using a faster time control (G/60+10), merging into the main field for Round 4.
💰 PRIZE FUND
With a guaranteed $15,000 prize fund, this event supports strong competition across all skill levels. Here is the prize distribution per section:
| Section | 1st Prize | 2nd Prize | 3rd Prize | Other Prizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Championship (2000+) | $2,000 | $1,000 | $500 | Top U2300: $400, Top U2100: $300 |
| U2000 | $1,200 | $600 | $300 | Top U1800: $250, Top U1600: $200 |
| U1600 | $1,000 | $500 | $250 | Top U1400: $200, Top U1200: $150 |
| U1200 & Unrated | $800 | $400 | $200 | Trophies for top U1000, unrated, and juniors |
All prizes are guaranteed, and no last-round byes are allowed for prize eligibility.
📝 REGISTRATION
Entry Fees:
- $109 by July 1
- $129 from July 2 to July 16
- $139 onsite (if space allows)
Sections Available:
- Championship (2000+; FIDE-rated)
- U2000 (FIDE-rated)
- U1600 (FIDE-rated)
- U1200 (non-FIDE)
- Unrated / Scholastic (non-FIDE)
How to Register:
- Online via Texas Chess Center registration portal
- Onsite registration: Thursday, July 17 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Byes:
- Up to 1 half-point bye available (Rounds 1–6 only)
- Must be requested before Round 2 begins
Payment Methods:
- Online: Credit/debit card
- Onsite: Cash only
Contact:
📧 info@texaschesscenter.com
📧 programs@texaschesscenter.com
📞 469‑498‑7296
📞 214‑843‑2473
🧳 TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATION
Venue: Hilton Houston Westchase
📍 9999 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77042
This 4-star venue offers:
- Spacious tournament rooms
- Free parking
- Onsite restaurant and lounge
- Discounted chess player rate: $109/night (mention “Chess Festival Group”)
Hotel Booking:
- Booking Deadline: July 1, 2025
- Reservation Line: +1 713-974-1000
Getting There:
- From IAH Airport: ~35 min by car
- From Hobby Airport (HOU): ~30 min
- METRO Bus routes available
- Free hotel parking
Nearby Alternatives:
- Marriott Westchase
- La Quinta Inn & Suites
- Courtyard by Marriott Houston Westheimer
🧩 ORGANIZER – Texas Chess Center
The Texas Chess Center is a leading chess institution across Texas, known for hosting over 250 rated events annually. They offer both competitive events and educational programs, including scholastic outreach, summer camps, and private lessons. Key tournaments include the Texas Youth Championships, Dallas FIDE Weekend Opens, and major events in Plano, Frisco, Irving, and Houston. With partnerships across 70+ schools and regular cooperation with Grandmasters, they provide one of the most comprehensive chess ecosystems in the U.S.
Contact Info:
📍 4105 W Spring Creek Parkway, Suite 610, Plano, TX 75024
📧 info@texaschesscenter.com
📧 programs@texaschesscenter.com
📞 469‑498‑7296
📞 214‑843‑2473
📸 Instagram: @txchesscenter
🏆 WHY YOU SHOULD PARTICIPATE
Whether you’re chasing title norms, sharpening your competitive edge, or enjoying chess in a professional setting, the 2025 Houston Chess Festival offers it all. Hosted in a luxurious venue with norm chances, FIDE and USCF ratings, generous prizes, and a player-first experience, it’s a must-play event on the national circuit. With great accessibility and world-class hospitality, Houston invites you to make your next chess move in Texas this July!
Additional Details
Playing Venue - Hilton Houston Westchase
Prize Fund - €13,800
Organizer - Texas Chess Center
Organizer Phone - +1 (214) 630-7431
Organizer email - info@texaschesscenter.com
Tournament Director - Jeff French
Chief Arbiter - IA Luis Salinas
Time control - 90 minutes with 30-second increment from move one
Number of rounds - 7
Tournament system - SWISS
Rating - FIDE
Organizer
The Texas Chess Center stands as a cornerstone of chess excellence, offering a vibrant ecosystem that blends high-level competition, top-tier coaching, and community enrichment. Operating in multiple locations throughout North Texas—including Plano, Frisco, Irving, and Houston—the Center organizes over 250 official tournaments annually, ranging from scholastic events and FIDE-rated championships to weekly Swiss tournaments and blitz series. Notable events include the Texas Youth Championship, weekend FIDE-rated open tournaments, scholastic-only challenges, and seasonal rapid and blitz cups.
The Center works closely with elite coaches and grandmasters, including GM Chris Repka, GM Jeffery Xiong, and FM Sharvesh Deviprasath, delivering training that supports both recreational learners and competitive prodigies. With outreach programs in over 70 public and private schools across districts like Coppell, Plano, and McKinney, the Texas Chess Center fosters a culture of intellectual growth and strategic development. Their mission is clear: make chess accessible to everyone—children and adults alike—through an integrated model of education, events, and opportunity.