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Chess Program Office of Student Life and Dean of Students

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Contact Us

Chess Program
Brownsville Campus, Casa Bella 633
Email: chess@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 882-5761
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Upcoming championships and events:

  • 2025 South Texas State Grade Championships
  • 2025 Texas State Girls' Championships

About Chess Program

UTRGV Chess Program

4× National Champions

  • Checkmate: UTRGV Wins Fourth National Chess Championship
  • Timeline of UTRGV Chess Program Success
UTRGV Chess Team celebrating a national championship
The UTRGV Chess Team visits the Texas State legislature after back‑to‑back President’s Cups

Founded in 2015 and led by Coach Grandmaster Bartłomiej Macieja and Program Manager Colt Smith-Munoz, the UTRGV Chess Program has achieved wide acclaim at the State, National, and International level of Collegiate Chess. The program also hosts FIDE & USCF tournaments and offers year‑round community classes and camps from a team of Masters.

National Achievements & Awards

President’s Cup (Final Four)

2018 — 1st Place
2019 — 1st Place
2021 — 1st Place
2025 — Co‑Champions

Pan‑Ams & Texas Super Finals

2015‑DEC — Pan Ams Co‑Champions
2016‑OCT — TX Super Finals 1st
2018‑OCT — TX Super Finals 1st
2019‑OCT — TX Super Finals 1st
2021‑OCT — TX Super Finals 1st
2025‑JAN — Pan Ams Perfect 6‑0

Named Chess College of the Year in 2018, 2019, & 2025 by the USCF, and honored at the Texas Capitol in 2019.
Watch the video

2025 Recognitions

  • U.S. House Floor Proceedings (Feb 6, 2025)
  • Texas House (May 8, 2025)
  • Texas Senate (May 8, 2025)
  • Cameron County Court (May 6, 2025)
  • Brownsville City Commission (May 20, 2025)

World & International Titles

UTRGV won the World University Blitz Championship in 2021 and the Kasparov Chess Foundation University Cup in 2021, 2022, and 2024. In spring 2022, UTRGV won the Collegiate Chess League, the largest university-level competition in the world.

Programs & Community Outreach

The Chess Program organizes regular tournaments, camps, and community courses through the Chess Academy and support the UTRGV Chess Club.

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