Mark your calendars! The Third Coast Chess Club is proud to host the 3rd Annual Goose Island Gambit on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at Goose Island State Park in Rockport, TX.
This annual event brings together players of all ages and skill levels for a day of competition, learning, and community. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just starting out, the Goose Island Gambit is the perfect place to challenge yourself, meet new friends, and enjoy the game we all love.
For more details and to sign-up: https://chessnut.club/e/3rd-annual-goose-island-gambit
Hope to see you there!
🏝️ 3rd Annual Goose Island Gambit
Saturday, November 1, 2025 – Goose Island State Park (Group Hall), Rockport, TX
Presented by Third Coast Chess
Join us for the Third Annual Goose Island Gambit, a day of strategy, competition, and community beneath the live oaks of Goose Island State Park. This USCF dual-rated (Regular + Quick) tournament features five exciting rounds in a scenic coastal setting.
♟️ Format & Schedule
- Section: Single Open Section – all players paired together regardless of rating (Limited to 40 Players)
- Rounds: 5 (Swiss System)
- Time Control: G/25; inc 5
- Start Time: 10:00 A.M. (Check-in by 9:30 A.M.)
- No On-Site Registration – Register by Friday, Oct. 31 at 11:59 P.M.
Round Times
- Round 1 – 10:00 A.M.
- Round 2 – 11:30 A.M.
- Lunch Break – 12:45 to 1:30 P.M.
- Round 3 – 1:30 P.M.
- Round 4 – 3:00 P.M.
- Round 5 – 4:30 P.M.
- Awards Ceremony – approximately 6:00 P.M.
(Round times may adjust slightly based on game completion and pairings.)
💰 Entry & Prizes
- Entry Fee: $20
- Prizes: Trophies for the top 3, medals for 5th through 8th place.
- Refund Policy: Refunds available (minus processing fee) until Oct. 31 at 11:59 P.M. No refunds after that time.
🕐 Bye Policy
Players may request one half-point bye if they must miss a round. (Contact TD)
Byes must be requested before the start of Round 3.
No bye changes are permitted after Round 2 begins.
Unrequested or late-round absences will receive zero points.
📍 Details
- Location: Goose Island State Park – Group Hall
- Boards, pieces, and clocks provided
- USCF membership required (Join or renew here)
- Family-friendly, all ages welcome
- Prizes (Trophies for top 3, medals for 5th through 8th place).
- Tournament registration fee does not include the Texas State Park entry fee
- No A/C in the Group Hall – plan accordingly for weather. It’s a gambit, after all.
- No pets allowed in the building or surrounding play area
- Amenities: Restrooms located adjacent to the Group Hall. Players are encouraged to bring snacks and water; limited refreshments available on-site.
🌦️ Weather Contingency
The event will proceed rain or shine. The Group Hall provides shelter but is not climate-controlled. In the event of extreme weather conditions, updates will be communicated via the registration page and by email to all registered participants.
🅿️ Parking & Entry Fee Reminder
Goose Island State Park charges a $5 per adult (ages 13+) daily entrance fee, payable at the park gate or through the Texas State Parks mobile app.
Parking near the Group Hall is limited — please consider carpooling if possible. Allow extra time for park entry, check-in, etc.
🧾 Registration
Scan the QR code on the flyer or visit
👉 chessnut.club/e/3rd-annual-goose-island-gambit
Questions:
Contact Third Coast Chess via this form.
🧍♀️ Spectator Policy
SPECTATORS (NON-PLAYING INDIVIDUALS) WILL NOT BE ALLOWED IN THE TOURNAMENT ROOM DURING TOURNAMENT PLAY.
PLAYERS WHO HAVE COMPLETED THEIR GAMES MAY STAY IN THE TOURNAMENT ROOM TO WATCH OTHER GAMES UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THEY LEAVE THE PLAYING HALL.
US Chess and the Organizer of this event are committed to a safe and welcoming environment for all players and spectators. US Chess has adopted Safe Play guidelines and all tournament staff have completed SafeSport training. The US Chess Safe Play Hub explains the details of this initiative. If you have any cause to feel unsafe or uncomfortable during your interaction with anyone at this event, please report the problem to a tournament director immediately. Each tournament director will be wearing an official badge identifying them as a TD. US Chess and the Organizer of this event will follow up on the report in real time. Thank you for your attention to this important information.
By attending this event, you acknowledge that Goose Island State Park is a public venue and consent to the use of photographs or video that may include your likeness for social media, website, or promotional purposes by Third Coast Chess or its partners. Tournament pairings and standings, including player names, will be publicly posted both at the event site and online as part of official tournament operations.
