This Labor Day weekend, chess once again descends on South Texas. From August 28 to September 1, 2025, the 91st Annual Southwest Open takes place at the Wyndham Garden in McAllen, Texas. It is one of the oldest continuous chess tournaments in the United States, a fixture of the Texas Chess Association calendar, and a stage where ambitious players chase norms, titles, and the prestige of carving their names into Lone Star history.
For five days, players from around the globe will gather under the same roof, some competing in the FIDE-rated International Section, others testing themselves in rating-limited events from U2200 down to U1000. Alongside, Texas blitz, bullet, freestyle, and puzzle championships will crown their own winners.
The Setting: McAllen’s Wyndham Garden
The Wyndham Garden Hotel at 1921 S. 10th Street in McAllen hosts the event. The city has become a hub for Texas chess in recent years, its borderland vibrancy mixing local scholastic talent with international visitors. Players, teams, and families converge here, with special banquet hotel rates ensuring the chess community can stay close to the action.
Inside the tournament hall, strict standards apply: no phones, no food, no distractions. Only players, arbiters, TCA officers, and press may enter during games. The rules are firm, but the spirit of the event remains welcoming—college students, local scholastics, international grandmasters, and first-time players will all find their place.
The International Section: Where Norms Are Born
At the top stands the International Section, a nine-round Swiss at 90+30. It begins Thursday evening, August 28, and runs to Monday afternoon, September 1, with two double-round days and a grueling early start on the final morning.
The prize fund reflects its status: $3,000 for first place, $1,500 for second, $500 for third, plus 120 Enhanced Grand Prix points. More uniquely, it awards special collegiate prizes: $400, $250, and $150 for the top three students, with the Southwest Collegiate Champion trophy engraved for posterity. Women have their own title at stake: the Southwest Collegiate Women’s Champion, also decided here. Armageddon playoffs, if needed, will decide tied champions.
This year’s advance entry list (incomplete, but already impressive) features:
- GM Jose Gabriel Cardoso Cardoso (COL, 2530) – The top seed from Colombia, sharp and consistent.
- GM Aditya Sachin Samant (IND, 2517) – Returning after co-championing the 90th edition in 2024. His resilience is a storyline.
- GM Shawn Rodrigue-Lemieux (CAN, 2516) – Canadian youth star, fast-rising and ambitious.
- GM Santiago Avila Pavas (COL, 2490) – Another Colombian grandmaster, tactically fierce.
- GM Balaji Daggupati (USA, 2453) – One of the brightest American juniors, dangerous in fast time controls.
- IM Jakub Fus (POL, 2442) – Already proven at this event, sharing 6/9 last year.
- FM Ryan Amburgy (USA, 2363) – U.S. talent, looking for a breakthrough.
- WIM Ann Lindsay Chumpitaz (PER, 2270) – Bringing international flair from Peru.
- WFM Martyna Starosta (POL, 2173) – A young fighter with plenty of upside.
- WGM Anastasia Paramzina (FID, 2133) – Experienced competitor, dangerous despite lower seeding.
- Emerson Aurelius Johnson (USA, 1794) – The lowest seed, but emblematic of the open spirit of the Southwest Open: anyone can test themselves against grandmasters.
That list alone represents seven federations (COL, IND, CAN, USA, PER, POL, FIDE), five grandmasters, and a mix of titled women players seeking norms. It is the kind of international field worthy of the event’s 91st staging.
Chasing the Ghosts of 2024
The 90th Southwest Open in 2024 ended in a historic six-way tie. GM David Brodsky, GM Gleb Dudin, IM Karolis Juksta, GM Yair Parkhov, GM Aditya Samant, and IM Oleksii Bilych all finished on 6.5/9, sharing co-champion honors.
Among them, Samant is back, aiming to repeat or surpass. Juksta and Dudin are absent, leaving the door open. But the shadow of 2024 lingers: last year’s field was deep, and this year’s may be sharper at the top even if smaller in size.
One notable performance in 2024 came from FM Tanitoluwa Adewumi, who scored 6/9, taking draws against higher GMs and proving again that his trajectory is only upward. Adewumi is not yet on the 2025 entry list, but his absence or presence could alter the narrative.
The Other Sections: Points, Prizes, and Pathways
For those not in the International Section, the Southwest Open offers four additional tournaments:
- U2200 (FIDE and US Chess rated)
- U1800
- U1400
- U1000
These sections run seven rounds (G/60+30), beginning Friday afternoon, August 29. Their prizes are unusual: instead of fixed amounts, they are points-based, rewarding anyone who scores well, regardless of tiebreaks.
- 7.0 points = $1000
- 6.5 = $750
- 6.0 = $500
- 5.5 = $200
- 5.0 = $50
This system ensures players are rewarded for their own performance rather than solely their place in the standings—a rarity in chess tournaments.
The U2200 also doubles as a Class B event for Texas titles, giving extra stakes to state competitors.
Side Events: Blitz, Bullet, Freestyle, Puzzles
The Southwest Open is more than classical chess. It crowns state champions in every format.
- Texas Blitz Championship – Nine rounds of G/3+2, FIDE rated.
- Texas Bullet Championship – Eighteen G/1 games in double-round format, unrated but furious.
- Texas Freestyle Championship (Chess 960) – Five rounds of G/10 Fischer Random, where creativity trumps memorization.
- Texas Puzzles Championship – Still TBD, but guaranteed to attract solvers.
Each has its own trophies, its own champions. Players need not be in the main event to participate.
Add to that the TCA Annual Membership Meeting (Sunday evening), where Texas Chess Association business is conducted, and you have a festival that blends competition with community.
Rules, Details, and Flavor
The rules are exacting. Forfeits occur after 30 minutes of absence. Electronic devices are banned in top sections. Byes are available but not in the last round of International. Seniors receive a $10 discount with the charming code STILLGOTIT. And yes—if your birthday falls during the event, and you score at least 50%, you’ll pocket a $25 birthday bonus.
The team element adds more flavor: the top four scores from each team (across all sections) will count toward team prizes. Schools, clubs, even families can field teams. The top five earn plaques, a reminder that this is not only an individual battle but also a community one.
Storylines to Watch
- Samant’s Return – Can last year’s co-champion, Aditya Sachin Samant, claim the title outright in 2025?
- Colombian Power – With two top grandmasters, Cardoso and Avila Pavas, Colombia brings firepower to McAllen.
- Canadian Youth – Shawn Rodrigue-Lemieux, only 17, could be the breakthrough star.
- The U.S. Contingent – Balaji Daggupati and Ryan Amburgy represent the home side, each chasing norms and titles.
- Women in the International – With WIM Chumpitaz, WGM Paramzina, and WFM Starosta, the field has real chances for female players to make waves. The collegiate women’s title gives their battles added weight.
- Norm Pressure – IM Fus and FM Amburgy are in prime territory to hunt GM/IM norms if results go their way.
- Festival Feel – Beyond the classical, who will seize the Texas Blitz, Bullet, and Freestyle titles?
A Texas Legacy
The Southwest Open is not just a tournament; it is part of American chess history. From its roots in the 1930s, through decades of champions, to its modern incarnation as both a Grand Prix staple and a community festival, it has grown while keeping its Texan identity intact.
This 91st edition continues that legacy. In McAllen, grandmasters and scholastics, veterans and newcomers, internationals and locals will all sit down at the same tables. By Labor Day evening, champions will be crowned: of the International, of the U2200s, U1800s, U1400s, U1000s, of Blitz, Bullet, Freestyle, and Puzzles. Collegiate champions will be etched into trophies. And, for another year, the Southwest Open will renew its place as one of the beating hearts of U.S. chess.
FAQ: 91st Southwest Open Chess Tournament
1. What is the Southwest Open?
The Southwest Open is one of the oldest annual chess tournaments in the United States, organized by the Texas Chess Association. It’s known for bringing together strong masters, ambitious juniors, and casual players for one big event.
2. When and where is the 91st edition being held?
The 91st Southwest Open takes place from August 29 to September 1, 2025 (Labor Day weekend) in Irving, Texas.
3. Who can participate?
Anyone with a US Chess Federation (USCF) membership can register. The tournament usually has multiple sections based on rating, so both beginners and titled players can compete.
4. What is the prize fund?
The total prize fund is $20,000 guaranteed, with top prizes in the Open Section and class prizes in lower sections.
5. What is the format of the tournament?
It’s a 9-round Swiss-system tournament, meaning players are paired against opponents with similar scores each round.
6. How long are the games?
Time control is 90 minutes with a 30-second increment from move one. That means each player has 90 minutes for the whole game, plus 30 extra seconds added per move.
7. Are titled players competing?
Yes. Grandmasters and International Masters often attend, since it’s one of the strongest open tournaments in the region.
8. Can I watch the games online?
Yes. The top boards are usually broadcast live on websites like lichess.org or chess.com under the US Chess broadcast hub.
9. Do the results count for FIDE rating?
Yes, the Open Section games are typically FIDE-rated as well as USCF-rated.
10. How do I register?
Players can sign up through the Texas Chess Association’s official website or at the venue before the first round (though early registration is cheaper).
11. What makes the Southwest Open special?
Its history. This tournament has been running for more than 90 years, making it one of the most prestigious and longest-standing chess events in the US.
12. Are there side events?
Yes. Blitz and bughouse tournaments are often organized on the sidelines, plus chances for simuls or lectures by titled players.
13. Can kids play?
Absolutely. Many juniors take part in their respective sections, and it’s a great chance for young talents to test themselves against stronger opposition.
14. Is there live commentary?
Yes. Usually, local masters or guest commentators provide online coverage and analysis for fans following remotely.
15. Why is it called the “Southwest Open”?
Because it’s traditionally the biggest open chess tournament in the southwestern United States, serving players from Texas, Oklahoma, and neighboring states—though now it attracts competitors from across the country.
I’m the senior editor of Attacking Chess, a keen chess player, rated above 2300 in chess.com. You can challenge me or asking questions at Chess.com.
