The 2026 Birthday Tournament—the first event of the 2026 Houston Chess Circuit—took place in Houston, TX, on February 1 at the Houston Chess Studio. The event brought together 6 players in a 5-round Round Robin format, with a time control of G/30, d10 (30 minutes per player with a 10-second delay per move).
You can view the official crosstable and rating report here:
👉 View Crosstable & Rating Report
Tournament Highlights
The tournament’s top seed, Joshua Ruiz, claimed 1st place with a perfect 5/5. Along with a commemorative plaque, he earned $300 and 13 circuit points. David Joseph Reyes finished 2nd with 3.5 points (9 circuit points), while Raine Brookshire took 3rd with 3 points (5 circuit points). All remaining players who completed every round without forfeits or withdrawals received 1 circuit point.
Appreciation
Azeri Chess Academy extends its gratitude to all participants for making the event a success. Special thanks go to Edgar Acosta, whose efforts in handling the setup and technical details were invaluable.
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