Texas Thanksgiving Classic (7 Rounds)
Texas Thanksgiving Classic (7 Rounds) is a seven-round Thanksgiving weekend classical tournament in Austin with four rating sections and a single three-day schedule.
Round 1 uses G/60; d10, while Rounds 2–7 use G/90 +30. The event is US Chess rated and not FIDE rated.
The tournament hotel offers an official event rate, free parking, and an on-site playing venue, making it a practical option for out-of-town players.
📌 Event Details
The table below summarizes the essential tournament information, including the exact venue and organizer.
| Event Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Tournament | Texas Thanksgiving Classic (7 Rounds) |
| Dates | November 27–29, 2026 |
| Location | Austin, Texas, United States |
| Venue | Holiday Inn Austin Midtown – 6000 Middle Fiskville Rd, Austin, TX 78752 |
| Organizer | Austin Family Chess League |
| Format | 7-round Swiss |
| Rating | US Chess rated; not FIDE rated |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The published time controls and rating format are summarized below.
| Stage / Section | Time Control |
|---|---|
| Round 1 | G/60; d10 |
| Rounds 2–7 | G/90 +30 |
🏆 Prize Fund
The organizer publishes the following prize structure for this event.
| Category | Prize / Award |
|---|---|
| Total | $2,960 guaranteed with 80+ players |
| Open | $1,285 section pool |
| U2100 | $855 section pool |
| U1700 | $525 section pool |
| U1300 | $295 section pool |
🧩 Sections / Groups
Players are divided into the following sections or rating groups.
| Section / Group | Eligibility / Details |
|---|---|
| Open | 2100+ |
| U2100 | Under 2100 |
| U1700 | Under 1700 |
| U1300 | Under 1300 |
📅 Schedule
The official playing schedule is shown below. Players should arrive early enough for check-in and any required registration.
| Day / Stage | Time |
|---|---|
| Friday | R1 9:00 AM; R2 1:00 PM; R3 6:00 PM |
| Saturday | R4 9:00 AM; R5 2:00 PM; Blitz 7:00 PM |
| Sunday | R6 9:00 AM; R7 2:00 PM |
📝 Registration
Registration fees, deadlines, and special entry conditions are listed below.
| Registration Item | Details |
|---|---|
| By Oct 1 | $105 |
| By Nov 1 | $135 |
| By Nov 26 | $185 |
| On-site | $200 |
| Play-up fee | $50 when eligible under the 100-point rule |
👥 Organizer
Use the official organizer and event links below for registration updates and last-minute changes.
| Organizer Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organizer | Austin Family Chess League |
| Primary Event Source | US Chess event page |
| Official / Registration Link | https://caissachess.net/ |
📍 Venue
The tournament venue and verified geolocation are provided below for mapping and travel planning.
| Venue Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Venue | Holiday Inn Austin Midtown |
| Full Address | 6000 Middle Fiskville Rd, Austin, TX 78752, United States |
| Latitude / Longitude | 30.3236647, -97.710865 |
🚆 How to Get There
These practical travel options can help players reach the venue efficiently.
| Transport Option | Details |
|---|---|
| Airport | Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), about 10 miles from the hotel |
| Driving | The hotel is beside I-35 in central Austin and has complimentary parking for tournament participants |
| Local transport | Rideshare/taxi is the simplest direct airport-to-hotel option |
🏨 Accommodation
The following accommodation options are at the venue or conveniently located for tournament participants.
| Hotel / Option | Details |
|---|---|
| Holiday Inn Austin Midtown | Playing venue; official tournament rate $129/night including breakfast for two; free parking |
ℹ️ Other Information
Players should also note the following event-specific rules and practical details.
- Players rated 2200+ who register by October 1 can receive a full entry-fee refund after completing all seven rounds without a bye.
- GM/IM players registering by October 1 are offered complimentary hotel accommodation under the published terms.
- Players must bring their own set and clock; electronic devices are not permitted in the playing hall.
🔗 Official Resources
Check these official sources before travel for any late schedule, registration, or venue updates.
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| US Chess Listing | https://new.uschess.org/texas-thanksgiving-classic-7-rounds |
| Official / Registration | https://caissachess.net/ |
Tournament organizer Austin Family Chess League Austin Family Chess League (AFCL) is a chess tournament organizer based in Austin, Texas, United States. Its publicly documented tournament activity began… Read moreRead less
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