By Matthew Cavazos

RICHARDSON, TEXAS – NOV. 14, 2025 – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Chess Team led wire-to-wire to clinch their fifth Texas Collegiate Super Finals championship, which ran from Oct. 25-26.

UTRGV showcased their excellence as a team, earning three match wins and one match draw to secure their sixth state championship. UT Dallas came in second after finishing with two match wins, one match draw, and one match loss. Texas Tech rounded out the top three with two match wins, one match draw, and one match loss.

This is UTRGV’s first Texas Collegiate Super Finals championship since 2021 and completes a remarkable calendar year which saw the Vaqueros win the Pan-American Intercollegiate Chess Championship in January, earn the Southwest Collegiate Championship in March, clinch their fourth national championship in April, and now earn the title of state champions in October.

“This was yet another great success of the UTRGV Chess Team in 2025,” said UTRGV Chess Coach Bartek Macieja. “I am very proud of my students, and we are looking forward to continuing this spectacular series.”

Santiago Avila Pavas led the charge for the Vaqueros with a perfect 4-0 record at the tournament, picking up crucial wins to maintain a draw against Texas Tech and down UT Dallas. Gleb Dudin scored the second-most points for UTRGV, earning wins against Texas Tech and UT Dallas to set up UTRGV’s eventful finish.

In round one, UTRGV took on the B-team from Texas Tech, earning a dominant 3.5-0.5 victory with wins by Jose Cardoso Cardoso, Shawn Rodrigue-Lemieux, and Avila Pavas.

UTRGV displayed excellence in round two, defeating the UT Dallas A-team 3.5-0.5. Dudin, Rodrigue-Lemieux, and Avila Pavas earned wins to lift UTRGV over UT Dallas in a rematch from last year’s president cup.

This win set up a crucial match between the only two undefeated teams in round three, UTRGV and the Texas Tech A-team. Dudin and Avila Pavas secured wins to earn a 2-2 draw and maintain the tie at the top of the standings.

The Vaqueros drew the B-team from UT Dallas in the final round while the Texas Tech A-team was set to face the UT Dallas A-team. In that final round, the Vaqueros, behind wins from Cardoso Cardoso and Avila Pavas, clinched their third team victory of the tournament and ultimately the title.

“The competition has proved once again that good preparation before a chess tournament and then motivation and focus during the competition in essential to perform at the highest level,” Macieja said. “The team took the event seriously at the preparation and at the competition stages, and it brought the result.”

UTRGV is preparing to defend their championship title at the Pan American Intercollegiate Championship, scheduled for January 2-5, 2026, in Oak Brook, Ill.