Get ready to compete in the heart of Texas at the Autumn FIDE, a prestigious FIDE-rated classical tournament held from September 19 to 21, 2025, at the modern and player-friendly Texas Chess Center – Bellaire in Houston, Texas. This 5-round Swiss event combines world-class chess with professional organization, attracting a wide range of titled players, serious amateurs, and rising juniors from across the region.
Autumn FIDE features two flexible playing formats—a 3-day schedule starting Friday evening and a condensed 2-day schedule beginning early Saturday. With FIDE norms in play, generous cash prizes, and smooth US Chess/FIDE integration, this event is perfect for those looking to raise their rating, compete for prizes, or enjoy a serious chess weekend in a warm, vibrant setting.
📋 EVENT DETAILS
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Dates | September 19–21, 2025 |
| Tournament Type | Classical FIDE-rated Swiss |
| Total prize fund (EUR) | €1,400 (approx. $1,500 USD) |
| Place | Houston, Texas, USA |
| Venue | Texas Chess Center – Bellaire |
| Address | 4007 Bellaire Blvd, Suite HH, Houston, TX 77025 |
| Organizer | Texas Chess Center |
| Federation | US Chess / FIDE |
| Time Control | G/90 + 30 seconds increment per move |
| Number of rounds | 5 |
⏱️ TIME CONTROL
Each player receives 90 minutes for the game, with a 30-second increment per move starting from move one. This classical time control supports deeper calculation, strategic planning, and higher-quality games. The default forfeit time is one hour.
📅 TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
3-Day Format (Sep 19–21)
| Round | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | Friday, Sep 19 | 7:00 PM |
| Round 2 | Saturday, Sep 20 | 2:00 PM |
| Round 3 | Saturday, Sep 20 | 7:00 PM |
| Round 4 | Sunday, Sep 21 | 10:00 AM |
| Round 5 | Sunday, Sep 21 | 3:00 PM |
2-Day Format (Sep 20–21)
| Round | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | Saturday, Sep 20 | 9:00 AM |
| Round 2 | Saturday, Sep 20 | 2:00 PM |
| Round 3 | Saturday, Sep 20 | 7:00 PM |
| Round 4 | Sunday, Sep 21 | 10:00 AM |
| Round 5 | Sunday, Sep 21 | 3:00 PM |
🏆 PRIZE FUND
Championship Section (Open)
| Place | USD | EUR (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Place | $600 | €560 |
| 2nd Place | $300 | €280 |
| 3rd Place | $100 | €95 |
| U2000 Prize | $100 | €95 |
U1800 Section
| Place | USD | EUR (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Place | $200 | €190 |
| 2nd Place | $100 | €95 |
| 3rd Place | $50 | €47 |
| U1600 Prize | $50 | €47 |
U1400 Section
Top 3 receive trophies (no cash prizes).
Titled Player Incentives:
- First 3 GMs: $200 minimum each
- First 3 IMs: $100 minimum each
- FMs enter free before late fee deadline
📝 REGISTRATION
Entry Fees (USD):
| Section | Early (by Aug 19) | Regular (by Sep 11) | Late |
|---|---|---|---|
| Championship | $98 | $108 | $118 |
| U1800 | $82 | $92 | $102 |
| U1400 | $72 | $82 | $92 |
- Online registration available through Texas Chess Center.
- US Chess membership is required unless you have a valid FIDE title or ID.
- Re-entry is permitted at 50% of the late fee.
- Online payment accepted via credit/debit card.
- Forfeit time: 1 hour.
🛏️ TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATION
Venue Address:
Texas Chess Center – Bellaire
4007 Bellaire Blvd, Suite HH, Houston, TX 77025
How to Get There:
- By car: Just off Bellaire Blvd near the 610 Loop.
- By plane:
- IAH Airport – ~20 minutes
- Hobby Airport – ~30 minutes
- By public transit: Nearby METRO bus routes; ride shares recommended.
Nearby Hotels:
- La Quinta Inn & Suites – Westchase
- Hampton Inn Houston – West Loop
- Holiday Inn – Galleria Area
Local dining and attractions are available in Rice Village and the Houston Museum District.
🧩 ORGANIZER
The Texas Chess Center is one of the region’s most active chess institutions. Known for hosting high-quality rated events, scholastic programs, and elite-level training sessions, they consistently deliver professional, well-managed tournaments across the state.
Contact:
- Email: info@texaschesscenter.com
- Phone: +1 469-498-7296
- Address: 4007 Bellaire Blvd, Suite HH, Houston, TX 77025
- Official website: https://www.texaschesscenter.com/store/p/autumn-fide
🌟 WHY YOU SHOULD PARTICIPATE
Autumn FIDE offers the perfect opportunity to test your skills, improve your rating, and compete in a focused yet friendly environment. With generous prizes, professional standards, and a welcoming chess community, this tournament delivers value on every level. Whether you’re a seasoned master or rising junior, Autumn FIDE invites you to make your mark in one of America’s top chess scenes.
Additional Details
Playing Venue - Texas Chess Center – Bellaire
Prize Fund - €1,400
Organizer - Texas Chess Center
Organizer Phone - +1 469-498-7296
Organizer email - info@texaschesscenter.com
Time control - G/90 + 30 seconds increment per move
Number of rounds - 5
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.