Luis Salinas Memorial 79th Annual Texas State and Amateur Championships

A Heritage Event, Enhanced Grand Prix,
Junior Grand Prix, State Championship Event

DFW Airport Marriott South
Friday, May 24, 2024 - Monday, May 27, 2024

Championship/Amateur Registration K-12 Scholastic Registration

Luis Salinas (1956-2024), directed thousands of tournaments in decades of service to the Texas Chess Association and the Dallas Chess Club. We remember Luis and his indelible impact on Texas chess. Photo by Jim Hollingsworth.

Onsite Registrations

Friday: Onsite registration begins 5:00pm.

Event Overview

  • DFW Airport Marriott South, 4151 Centreport Dr, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
  • 4-day Schedule: Friday 5/24 - Monday 5/27
  • 3-day Schedule: Saturday 5/25 - Monday 5/27
  • FIDE-rated and FIDE rules.
  • US Chess ratings and rules used for pairings and awarding prizes.
  • Texas Chess Association membership is required. Other states accepted.
  • Default late forfeiture time is one hour.

FIDE IDs

All Championship and Amateur players need a FIDE ID to play. Foreign players must disclose their FIDE ID number before the first round to play. There is no charge to get a FIDE ID.

Request a FIDE ID now (free)

Entry Fees

  • State and Amateur Championships: $139.
  • Senior (over 65)/Handicapped/additional family participant: $99
  • K-12 Scholastic: $49.

Byes/Changes/Refunds

Up to two 1/2-point byes are available if requested before the end of round 2 and before receiving a full-point bye, but 1/2-point byes for both rounds 6 and 7 are not permitted.

All refunds and changes must be requested by email and sent to state@texaschess.org. No refunds after 5/20. After 5/23, all registration and changes are onsite only. Changes and withdrawals are subject to a $10 fee.

State Championship

$139

  • 7 rounds Swiss Style (G/90;+30)
  • Players Rated 2000 or higher
  • FIDE Rated; FIDE Rules
  • US Chess ratings/rules for pairings/prizes.
  • Place Prizes: $1000/$500/$280
  • 2200-2399: $720 / U2200: $720
  • Entry is $139 after 5/19
Register Now Current Entries

Amateur Championship

$139

  • 7 rounds Swiss Style (G/90;+30)
  • Players Rated Under 2000 and Unrated
  • FIDE Rated; FIDE Rules
  • US Chess ratings/rules for pairings/prizes.
  • Place Prizes: $800/$400/$200
  • Class Prizes depend on entries.
  • Entry is $139 after 5/19
Register Now Current Entries

K-12 Scholastic

$49

  • 5 rounds Swiss Style (G/30;d5)
  • K-12 Students Only
  • US Chess Rated; US Chess Rules
  • K-12 Championship | K-12 U900
  • Top 12 Individual Trophies
  • Top 5 Team Trophies
  • Entry is $49 after 5/19
Register Now Current Entries

~ ~ ~ Details ~ ~ ~

IM Zurab Javakhadze is awarded State Champion Trophy by Organizer Luis Salinas. Photo by Louis Reed.

Texas State Championship

7 rounds, Swiss style, G/90;+30.

Eligibility: Must be rated 2000 or above (Regular rating) by either US Chess or FIDE to play in this section or have had a provable 2000 or higher regular rating in the past. The defending Texas Amateur Champion may also play in this section. Foreign unrated players may play in this section and, at TD/Organizer discretion, may be required to play in this section.

Prizes: 1st $1000 | 2nd $500 | 3rd $280 | 2200-2399 $720 | U2200 $720.

Texas State Champion: The highest scoring Texas player(s), including ties, will be named “Texas State Champion.”

Withdrawals and last-round byes are not eligible for prizes.

Alexander Mclaughlin Elliot is awarded Amateur Champion Trophy by Arbiter Louis Reed. Photo by Deborah Shafer.

Texas Amateur Championship

7 rounds, Swiss style, G/90;+30.

Eligibility: Available to players with ratings under 2000 and unrated players.

Place Prizes: 1st $800 | 2nd $400 | 3rd $200.

Class Prizes: Class prizes, if any, depend on entries.

Texas Amateur Champion: The highest scoring Texas player(s), including ties, will be named “Texas Amateur Champion.”

Withdrawals and last-round byes are not eligible for prizes.

Kids in a chess tournament

K-12 Scholastic on Saturday

5 Swiss Style Rounds (G/30;d5) US Chess Rules and US Chess Ratings

Eligibility: Only students in grades kindergarten through 12th grade can participate.

Schedule: Onsite Registration 8:15-8:45 am; Round One at 10:30 am, all other rounds ASAP with a small lunch break, usually after round 1.

Sections: K-12 Championship and K-12 U900.

Prizes: Trophies to the top 12 individuals and top five teams in each section. Medals to players with a positive score who do not win a trophy.

Important Dates

Day Date Item
Monday April 1 Online Registration Opens
Sunday May 19 Last Day for Early Registrations
Thursday May 23 Online Registration Ends

Tournament Schedule

The 4-day and 3-day schedules merge for round two.

4-Day Schedule

Fri. (5/24) 7:15 pm Round One
Sat. (5/25) 2:45 pm Round Two
Sat. (5/25) 7:30 pm Round Three
Sun. (5/26) 11:30 am Round Four
Sun. (5/26) 5:15 pm Round Five
Mon. (5/27) 9:30 am Round Six
Mon. (5/27) 2:45 pm Round Seven

3-Day Schedule

Sat. (5/25) 9:30 am Round One
Sat. (5/25) 2:45 pm Round Two
Sat. (5/25) 7:30 pm Round Three
Sun. (5/26) 11:30 am Round Four
Sun. (5/26) 5:15 pm Round Five
Mon. (5/27) 9:30 am Round Six
Mon. (5/27) 2:45 pm Round Seven

K-12 Scholastic

Sat. (5/25) 8:15 am - Onsite Registration
Sat. (5/25) 8:45 am - Registration Ends
Sat. (5/25) 10:30 am - Round One.
Sat. (5/25) ASAP - Rounds 2-5
Sat. (5/25) ASAP - Awards

~ ~ ~ Hotel Information ~ ~ ~

DFW Airport Marriott South

Hotel: Marriott DFW Airport South - 4151 Centreport Dr, Fort Worth, TX 76155 Hotel rate: $129

Free Parking | Hotel has complimentary hotel shuttle to/from DFW airport.

The special chess rate of $129 is only available until May 28, 2024.

Map and Directions to Hotel Book a Room Now

Mariott DFW Airport South