The Winter Championship 2027 – Carrollton takes place on Saturday, January 16, 2027, at the Courtyard by Marriott Dallas Carrollton and Carrollton Conference Center in Carrollton, Texas. Organized by Texas Chess Center, the one-day championship features four rounds across Open, U1800, U1400, and U1000 sections.
All sections use a G/60;d10 time control. Each player receives 60 minutes for the entire game with a 10-second delay per move. The tournament begins at 9:30 AM and concludes after the fourth round, which starts at 5:30 PM.
The event offers a guaranteed $1,500 cash prize fund in the Open and U1800 sections. The U1400 and U1000 sections award trophies to the top three finishers. Texas Chess Center also allows eligible players to play up one section under its published rating rules.
♟️ Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏆 Tournament | Winter Championship 2027 – Carrollton |
| 📅 Date | January 16, 2027 |
| 🌎 Country | United States |
| 📍 Location | Carrollton, Texas |
| 🏟️ Venue | Courtyard by Marriott Dallas Carrollton and Carrollton Conference Center – 1201 Raiford Road, Carrollton, TX 75007, United States |
| 🏛️ Organizer | Texas Chess Center |
| 🧩 Sections | Open, U1800, U1400, U1000 |
| 🔢 Rounds | 4 |
| ⏱️ Time Control | G/60;d10 |
| ⭐ Rating | US Chess rated |
| 🌐 FIDE Rated | No |
| 💰 Guaranteed Cash Prize Fund | $1,500 |
| 🏅 Additional Awards | Trophies in U1400 and U1000 |
| 💳 Entry Fee | $59–$99 depending on section and registration date |
| 🚗 Parking | Complimentary on-site parking |
| 🌍 Residency Restriction | None |
| 🌐 Official Tournament Page | https://www.texaschesscenter.com/store/p/winter-championship |
| ♟️ US Chess Listing | https://new.uschess.org/winter-championship |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The Winter Championship consists of four scheduled rounds played during a single day.
Time Control: G/60;d10
Each player receives 60 minutes for the entire game with a 10-second delay per move.
The official Texas Chess Center tournament page confirms four rounds but does not separately state the pairing method. Therefore, the event should not be described as a Swiss or another specific pairing system unless the organizer explicitly confirms it.
Half-Point Byes
Texas Chess Center allows half-point byes when they are requested in time.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Bye Value | ½ point |
| Request Deadline | Before the start of the preceding round |
| Late Request | Bye receives 0 points |
Players who know in advance that they cannot play a round should notify the organizer as early as possible.
For a first-round absence, players should contact Texas Chess Center before the tournament because there is no preceding round in which to submit the request.
🏆 Prize Fund
The tournament offers $1,500 in guaranteed cash prizes.
The Open section carries the largest awards, while the U1800 section offers three guaranteed cash prizes. The U1400 and U1000 sections award trophies rather than cash.
| Prize Category | Award |
|---|---|
| Open – 1st Place | $600 |
| Open – 2nd Place | $300 |
| Open – 3rd Place | $150 |
| U1800 – 1st Place | $250 |
| U1800 – 2nd Place | $125 |
| U1800 – 3rd Place | $75 |
| U1400 – 1st Place | Trophy |
| U1400 – 2nd Place | Trophy |
| U1400 – 3rd Place | Trophy |
| U1000 – 1st Place | Trophy |
| U1000 – 2nd Place | Trophy |
| U1000 – 3rd Place | Trophy |
The six published cash awards total exactly $1,500.
Texas Chess Center states that these cash prizes are guaranteed, so they are not dependent on reaching a minimum number of entries.
Players have up to six months from the tournament date to claim prize winnings before an unclaimed prize expires under the organizer’s published policy.
🧩 Sections / Groups
The tournament has four main sections.
| Section | Awards |
|---|---|
| Open | 1st, 2nd, and 3rd cash prizes |
| U1800 | 1st, 2nd, and 3rd cash prizes |
| U1400 | Trophies for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd |
| U1000 | Trophies for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd |
Section Placement
Texas Chess Center normally places players according to the US Chess monthly rating supplement in effect on the tournament date.
Unrated players are placed in the lowest section unless they provide evidence of another rating that the Tournament Director considers suitable for conversion or section placement.
The Tournament Director has final discretion over section placement.
Playing Up
Players may qualify to play up one section.
The published play-up fee is $20.
A player qualifies to play up when their Monthly, Live, or Provisional US Chess rating is within 150 points of the rating floor of the next section.
For example, a player seeking to move into the U1800 section may qualify if an applicable current rating places them within 150 points of 1800.
If the player’s Live or Provisional rating already meets or exceeds the next section’s floor, Texas Chess Center allows the player to move into that section without paying the play-up fee.
An unrated player with a FIDE rating or another substantiated rating may ask the organizer to consider that rating for section placement. Final approval remains with the Tournament Director.
📅 Schedule
The entire Winter Championship takes place on Saturday, January 16, 2027.
| Time | Program |
|---|---|
| 9:30 AM | Round 1 |
| 12:00 PM | Lunch Break |
| 12:30 PM | Round 2 |
| 3:00 PM | Round 3 |
| 5:30 PM | Round 4 |
The first round begins at 9:30 AM. Players should arrive well before the start time to locate the tournament room and prepare for play.
A scheduled lunch break begins at 12:00 PM, followed by Round 2 at 12:30 PM.
The final two rounds begin at 3:00 PM and 5:30 PM. Because the tournament lasts most of the day, players may wish to bring snacks and plan dinner for after the final round.
📝 Registration
Entry fees depend on both the player’s section and the date of registration.
Entry Fees
| Section | Early – by Dec. 7, 2026 | Regular – by Jan. 6, 2027 | Late – after Jan. 6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open | $79 | $89 | $99 |
| U1800 | $69 | $79 | $89 |
| U1400 | $59 | $69 | $79 |
| U1000 | $59 | $69 | $79 |
Playing Up: +$20 when applicable.
Online Registration
Initial tournament registration must be completed through the Texas Chess Center website:
https://www.texaschesscenter.com/store/p/winter-championship
The organizer states that tournament registration closes 30 minutes before the scheduled start time.
Since Round 1 begins at 9:30 AM, the effective registration cutoff is 9:00 AM on January 16.
Players registering after the cutoff may receive a first-round bye.
US Chess Membership
An active US Chess membership is required unless the player qualifies under Texas Chess Center’s published titled-player exception.
Players should check that their membership remains active through January 16 before arriving at the tournament.
National Masters and Higher
Texas Chess Center allows National Masters and higher-rated players (NM+) to enter its non-FIDE tournaments free of charge.
Eligible players should contact:
to arrange the free master entry.
Entry List
Texas Chess Center plans to publish the entry list after the Early Registration period ends.
Therefore, players interested in the developing tournament field should check the official event page after December 7, 2026.
👤 Organizer
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Organizer Name | Texas Chess Center |
| Contact Person | Kayla Guerrero |
| info@texaschesscenter.com | |
| Phone | +1 469-498-7296 |
📍 Venue
Courtyard by Marriott Dallas Carrollton and Carrollton Conference Center – 1201 Raiford Road, Carrollton, TX 75007, United States.
The tournament takes place inside the Courtyard by Marriott Dallas Carrollton and Carrollton Conference Center, a large hotel and event facility in North Dallas.
The property has 145 guestrooms and extensive conference space, including multiple meeting rooms and a large ballroom. This makes it particularly convenient for a full-day chess championship.
The hotel provides complimentary on-site parking. Players driving to the tournament can therefore park directly at the property without an additional hotel parking charge.
The venue also has an on-site restaurant, The Bistro, together with a fitness center and outdoor pool.
Accessibility Note
There is a discrepancy between the available sources.
The US Chess tournament listing currently marks “Handicap Accessible: No.” However, Marriott states that the property has accessible parking, an accessible main entrance, elevators, and accessible meeting spaces.
Players with specific mobility or accessibility requirements should therefore contact Texas Chess Center or the hotel directly before the tournament to confirm access to the exact playing room.
🏨 Accommodation
The tournament is held inside a hotel, so staying at the venue is the most convenient option for players traveling from outside the Dallas–Fort Worth area.
Two additional hotels in the surrounding North Dallas area provide alternatives for players comparing price or amenities.
| Hotel | Approx. Price / Night |
|---|---|
| Courtyard by Marriott Dallas Carrollton and Carrollton Conference Center – 1201 Raiford Road, Carrollton, TX 75007 | $110–$150 |
| Hampton Inn & Suites Farmers Branch Dallas – 1570 Mira Lago Blvd., Farmers Branch, TX 75234 | $80–$110 |
| Homewood Suites by Hilton Dallas-Lewisville – 700 Hebron Parkway, Lewisville, TX 75057 | $80–$120 |
Courtyard by Marriott Dallas Carrollton and Carrollton Conference Center
This is the tournament venue itself, making it the most convenient accommodation choice.
Players staying here do not need to drive to the tournament on Saturday morning. The hotel offers complimentary parking, an on-site restaurant, fitness facilities, an outdoor pool, mini-refrigerators and microwaves in guestrooms.
Check-in is 3:00 PM, while check-out is 12:00 PM.
Because Round 1 starts at 9:30 AM, players traveling from outside the DFW area may find arriving on Friday evening particularly convenient.
Hampton Inn & Suites Farmers Branch Dallas
1570 Mira Lago Blvd., Farmers Branch, TX 75234
This Hilton property offers free hot breakfast, complimentary parking, free Wi-Fi, an indoor pool, and a fitness center.
The breakfast inclusion can be useful for tournament players who prefer to eat before traveling to the venue.
The hotel is also approximately 10 miles from both DFW International Airport and Dallas Love Field according to Hilton.
Homewood Suites by Hilton Dallas-Lewisville
700 Hebron Parkway, Lewisville, TX 75057
Homewood Suites offers free hot breakfast, free parking, free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool, and suites with in-room kitchens.
The kitchen facilities may be particularly useful for families or players staying more than one night.
The property is located in the northern DFW area with straightforward access to the surrounding highway network.
Hotel prices are approximate and can vary substantially according to booking date, room type, cancellation terms, taxes, and availability. Players should check the live January 2027 rate before booking.
🚆 How to Get There
Carrollton is part of the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area. The tournament venue is well positioned for players arriving by car or through DFW International Airport.
🚗 By Car
For navigation, use:
Courtyard by Marriott Dallas Carrollton and Carrollton Conference Center – 1201 Raiford Road, Carrollton, TX 75007.
The hotel provides complimentary on-site parking.
Players should plan to arrive before 9:00 AM, particularly if they still need to locate the playing hall or speak with tournament staff.
✈️ From Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is approximately 15.7 miles from the tournament hotel.
The Courtyard does not provide an airport shuttle, so arriving players should plan to use a rental car, taxi, rideshare, or another ground-transportation service.
For players flying into Texas specifically for the championship, staying at the venue hotel can simplify the trip because no transportation is needed on tournament morning.
🚆 By DART Rail
Carrollton is served by the DART rail network.
Downtown Carrollton Station is served by the Green Line and also offers DART GoLink on-demand connections.
The station is not located directly at the tournament hotel. Therefore, players arriving by rail should plan an additional rideshare, taxi, or suitable GoLink connection for the final part of the journey to Raiford Road.
Players relying on public transportation should check the current Saturday timetable before the event because Round 1 begins at 9:30 AM.
ℹ️ Other Information
🎒 Tournament Equipment
Texas Chess Center provides the required playing equipment.
The organizer states that the following will be available:
- Chess boards
- Chess pieces
- Chess clocks
- Notation sheets
- Pencils
Players therefore do not need to bring their own tournament set or clock unless they prefer to do so.
🪪 US Chess Requirement
Players must have an active US Chess membership unless they qualify for the titled-player exception published by Texas Chess Center.
If a membership has expired and is not renewed before Round 1 pairings are prepared, the player may receive a bye or be withdrawn without a refund.
🔄 Missed Rounds
Players who know they cannot play a scheduled round should inform Texas Chess Center as soon as possible.
Half-point byes must be requested before the start of the preceding round. Otherwise, the missed-round bye is recorded as zero points.
💵 Refund Policy
Because the Winter Championship is a championship event, Texas Chess Center applies its championship refund policy.
| Cancellation Time | Refund |
|---|---|
| More than 48 hours before the tournament | Full refund |
| Between 48 hours and 2 hours before the start | 50% refund |
| Within 2 hours of the start | No refund |
| No-show | No refund |
Refund requests should be communicated to Texas Chess Center before the applicable deadline.
The organizer states that refunds are normally processed within five business days.
📱 Phones & Smartwatches
Texas Chess Center’s general tournament rules require cell phones to be turned off and placed face down on the table where both players can see them.
Smartwatches and other wearable electronic devices must also be turned off and placed face down.
Players should take this rule seriously because disruptive electronic-device sounds can result in time penalties and, for repeated violations, more severe sanctions.
👨👩👧👦 Age & Eligibility
The Winter Championship is not a scholastic-only tournament.
Texas Chess Center states that players of different ages and skill levels may participate as long as they satisfy the rating-section rules and US Chess membership requirements.
There is also no residency restriction, so players do not need to live in Texas to participate.
🔎 Before the Tournament
Players should check the official Texas Chess Center page shortly before January 16 for the latest entry list and any final organizer announcements:
https://www.texaschesscenter.com/store/p/winter-championship
The corresponding US Chess tournament listing is available at:
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $1,500
Organizer
♟️ About Texas Chess Center
Texas Chess Center (TCC) is a multi-location chess education and tournament organization serving players across Dallas–Fort Worth and Houston, Texas. Founded in November 2021 by Jarred Tetzlaff and David Gaston, TCC combines chess instruction, scholastic programs, private coaching, community play, camps, and an extensive schedule of US Chess- and FIDE-rated tournaments.
The organization is currently led by Jarred Tetzlaff, CEO & Co-Founder, and David Gaston, President, Co-Founder & Houston Division Manager. NM Christopher Toolin serves as Senior Instructor & Co-Owner. The wider staff includes division supervisors, instructors, program associates, operations personnel, and titled chess professionals.
Texas Chess Center operates four permanent chess locations in Plano, Frisco, Irving, and Bellaire/Houston. Together, these centers provide year-round training, open play, weekly rated tournaments, scholastic competition, FIDE events, camps, and private lessons.
🏆 Tournaments & Competitive Chess
Tournament organization is one of the largest parts of Texas Chess Center’s activity. TCC reports that it hosts more than 500 rated tournaments per year, ranging from weekly local Swiss events to multi-day FIDE-rated competitions and norm tournaments.
Each location maintains its own regular tournament schedule. Plano hosts weekly Friday, Saturday, and Sunday competitions, while Frisco runs Quick, Beginner Swiss, and regular Swiss events. Irving and Bellaire also maintain recurring weekly tournaments alongside larger weekend events.
TCC’s larger classical calendar includes recurring DFW FIDE, North Texas FIDE, Houston FIDE, Gulf Coast FIDE, Lone Star FIDE, Winter FIDE, and other seasonal competitions. Championship and U1800 sections are commonly FIDE-rated, while additional lower-rated sections remain US Chess-rated.
These tournaments usually offer five classical rounds with flexible two- or three-day schedules. TCC also provides boards, sets, clocks, notation materials, live pairings, and tournament administration through its dedicated event infrastructure.
In October 2025, Texas Chess Center reached another competitive milestone by hosting its first norm tournament at the Bellaire location. The organization has continued developing FIDE and norm-related competition as part of its higher-level tournament program.
🌱 Chess Education & Scholastic Development
Chess education is equally central to TCC’s mission. The organization offers group classes, private lessons, school programs, seasonal camps, open play, simuls, lectures, and private events for players at different ages and skill levels.
Texas Chess Center reports that its instructors and programs have taught more than 25,000 students. It also works with more than 75 schools, including independent schools and public school districts in the Dallas–Fort Worth area.
School partnerships include programs connected with institutions such as Alcuin School, Greenhill School, Wesley Prep, Lamplighter, and districts including Coppell, McKinney, Plano, Prosper, and Lovejoy ISDs. The organization uses these partnerships to make chess instruction available directly on school campuses.
TCC also runs dedicated scholastic tournaments. These competitions are structured by school level and rating, with sections for elementary, middle-school, and high-school players. Regular U1000 and beginner events provide an accessible first step into rated tournament chess.
Stronger students can then progress into the regular Swiss circuit, championship events, and eventually FIDE-rated competition. This creates a continuous pathway from learning the rules to serious tournament play.
🥇 Coaching, Titled Players & Development
Texas Chess Center’s instructional team includes experienced coaches and titled players. NM Christopher Toolin serves as Senior Instructor & Co-Owner, while GM Chris Repka is part of the organization’s senior instructional team.
The center has also collaborated with players including GM Jeffery Xiong, GM Chris Repka, FM Sharvesh Deviprasath, and IM Zurab Javakhadze. TCC reports that students from its programs have qualified for major international youth competitions, including the World Youth and Cadet Championships.
Private coaching complements group programs. Players can work individually with instructors on opening preparation, calculation, strategy, tournament psychology, and game analysis while continuing to gain practical experience through the center’s tournament calendar.
📚 History & Expansion
Texas Chess Center grew partly from the chess community created around the North Texas Chess Academy (NTCA) in Carrollton. NTCA was founded in 2016 by NM Christopher Toolin and partners and hosted strong tournaments, Pro Chess League activity, events with numerous Grandmasters, and a simultaneous exhibition by GM Nigel Short.
Jarred Tetzlaff and David Gaston founded Texas Chess Center in November 2021, and the first TCC location opened in Plano in January 2022. Its Grand Opening Swiss attracted 67 players.
In September 2022, TCC and NTCA came under shared ownership with Christopher Toolin. The organization then expanded to Irving in March 2023 and Frisco in January 2024.
A major geographic expansion followed in April 2025, when David Gaston launched the Bellaire location in the Houston area. This gave Texas Chess Center permanent operations in both North Texas and Southeast Texas.
In October 2025, TCC also partnered with Checkmate: USA vs India at Esports Stadium Arlington and hosted its first norm tournament during the same month.
Today, Texas Chess Center describes itself as an integrated chess organization built around education, frequent competitive play, community activity, and long-term player development.
📍 Texas Chess Center Locations
Plano – Main Location
4105 W Spring Creek Pkwy, Suite 610
Plano, TX 75024, USA
Frisco
11547 Independence Pkwy, Suite 530
Frisco, TX 75035, USA
Irving
4343 W Royal Lane, Suite 114
Irving, TX 75063, USA
Bellaire / Houston
4007 Bellaire Blvd, Suite HH
Houston, TX 77025, USA
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