What should parents do during the tournament? Can parents help?

We ask that parents and family members wait in the hallway so we can space things out for our players, but also to avoid any type of distraction or conflicts. Parents are welcome to come in to quickly visit but for the most part we ask them to stay in the hallways. We regularly have a staff to escort the players to their parents in the hallway. 

We do appreciate parents reminding each other to keep the hallway quiet for our neighbors. 

Some parents are experienced players and tournament directors and they wish to offer their services. We try to avoid having parents tournament direct if their child is playing in the tournament, however for larger events we may ask a parent to help out with a section that their child is not playing in. 

We have wifi available for the parents convenience. For members: We recommend that you enter the upcoming tournament (a week ahead of time) while you are here, and if you have to change plans, you can withdraw later. 

Spring 2013 Tournament Details

Important Update: There are no Friday memberships available because there is no more space. 

We have Saturday memberships available at a prorated amount. Please email info@chesspanda.com if you have questions about Saturday memberships.

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Early Registration for Spring 2013 is open.

Please register as soon as possible because membership is available on a first come first serve basis and space has filled up in the past. This early registration is available to our regular players before registration is open to new players.

Membership Price: $120 per individual or $195 for two siblings.
The cost for Spring membership is different from the Fall because there are 17 weeks instead of 14. The price per tournament is about the same (a few cents different).

The membership includes entry to up to 17 tournaments, limited to the "day of the week" you sign up for. This means that a Friday membership allows entry to up to 17 Friday tournaments and the same goes with Saturday membership.

We do not offer refunds or credit for missed events. By policy, we do not offer make-ups for missed events, but sometimes we allow "switching" from one event to another: For example a Friday member may play in a Saturday event only if space is available and if you give us advanced notice.

Membership Options: Friday 6:30pm or Saturday 4:30pm event.

Entry fee for non-members is $15 per event. Membership offers the best value for those who play regularly.

Friday 6:30pm Tournament Dates: January 11, January 18, January 25, February 1, February 15, February 22, March 1, March 8, March 22, March 29, April 5, April 12, April 19, April 26, May 3, May 10, and May 17.

Saturday 4:30pm Tournament Dates: January 12, January 19, January 26, February 2, February 16, February 23, March 2, March 9, March 23, March 30, April 6, April 13, April 20, April 27, May 4, May 11, and May 18.

Please note that there are no tournaments on the weekends of February 8-10 and March 15-17.

How to Register:
1) Visit www.chesspanda.com/regform.html and fill out the form.
2) Mail a check made payable to Jeffrey Ashton to 3139 W. Holcombe #362 Houston, TX 77025. You may also drop off the check or pay with credit card at one of our 2012 tournaments. If you wish to pay with credit card, we ask for you to do so any time after 6:45pm on Fridays, or after 4:45pm on Saturdays (because things can be busy as we start the first round).

Cancellation with refund is available until January 1, 2013.

Please email info@chesspanda.com if you have any questions.

Location: 9900 Westpark #254 Houston, TX 77063.

Gate Code: #003 

Please email any questions. At the time of the tournament, you can reach us at: 281-940-8199

 

How can a young player get involved in his or her first tournament?

 We have tournaments every Saturday at 4:30pm that are very good for beginners or those with only a little tournament experience. 

1) Use the Registration Form. This is the form we need so we have all required info such as contact, medical information, etc. 

2) Use the Online Entry Form. This is a very short form that tells us to pair your child for the upcoming tournament. We can usually look up current United States Chess Federation members via first and last name, but you can also list the child's USCF number in the comments area. This is helpful if the player has a common name. You will receive an automatic email confirmation. If this is your first tournament we will try to get in touch with you via email again just to help with any questions. 

3) Show up to your first tournament around 4:15pm. Bring the $15 entry fee. Cash and exact change is preferable. If you enjoy the tournament and wish to pay the semester membership price instead, we can apply the $15 entry fee towards the membership price and we can prorate the fee if you join mid-semester. We can collect the membership fee after the tournament. 

We rate the tournaments through the USCF. Visit the Tournament Results link at the bottom of www.chesspanda.com for info about looking up information and results for the player.