Back to Back Champions

The UTRGV Vaqueros Chess Team returned to the Rio Grande Valley just after 12 a.m. Monday from New York City, riding its second consecutive national win over rival Webster University in the Final Four of Collegiate Chess. The team is seen here just after arrival at the Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport. Coach Bartek Macieja, far right, proudly displays the President’s Cup trophy. (UTRGV Photo by David Pike)

UTRGV Chess Team defeats rival Webster University to win President's Cup

BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS – April 8, 2019  – The UTRGV Chess Team successfully has defended its title as national champions of the President’s Cup, during the Final Four of Collegiate Chess this weekend at the Marshall Chess Club in New York City.

The Vaqueros again defeated six-time champion Webster University, as well as UT Dallas and Harvard University.

Who We Are

Chess has been an important part of our university and has acted as a metaphor of the vast human potential that our region holds. UTRGV Chess Team competes at the highest level at state, national and international tournaments, under the leadership of Chess Coach (Grandmaster) Bartek Macieja.

During its inaugural year of competition, under the UTRGV banner, the Chess Team developed into a force to be reckoned with in the world of collegiate chess. Among the team’s highlights in 2015 was being recognized by the House of Representatives of the State of Texas and by the Senate of the State of Texas for its many accomplishments.

The Chess Program organizes local and international tournaments, holds camps, trains area coaches, and presents community outreach chess classes for local community members on a regular basis, in particular through the Chess Academy. Finally, the UTRGV Chess Program supports the Chess Club at UTRGV, a student organization reaching over 100 chess enthusiasts.