Are you a Chess player in the state of Texas? You’re in the right place. This post is all about Chess in Texas. It contains helpful information and resources for players in the state. Consider bookmarking this page for quicker reference in the future.
Chess in Texas
As has been the case across the rest of the United States, the state of Texas has seen a major rise in the popularity of chess in recent years. The state’s diverse chess-playing community continues to grow each year with new individuals discovering a love for the game. Texas is home to many chess clubs as well as competitive tournaments that allow players to test their skills against one another.
The number one resource for chess in Texas is the Texas Chess Association. The association works to promote all things related to chess in Texas. This includes providing a variety of helpful resources and links for the state’s players. You can also find plenty of information about upcoming Texas chess events and Texas chess clubs when you head to the official website of the Texas Chess Association.
The following information is designed to assist those who want to find out more about chess in the Lone Star State. It includes further information about the chess scene in Texas as well as clubs, groups, and tournaments that are available across the state.
The Players That Make Up the Texas Chess Scene
The chess scene in the state of Texas is an exciting one with many clubs and tournaments to participate in. New players both young and old are discovering what an amazing game chess is every day across Texas and they come from a diverse range of backgrounds. Though there are no official numbers on how many total chess players there are in the state of Texas, the number is substantial and it is growing at a steady pace.
Grandmasters In Texas
There is no distinction within the world of chess more coveted than the title of Chess Grandmaster. The state of Texas is home to Chess Grandmaster Alejandro Ramírez. He currently resides in the Texas community of Richardson. The Costa Rican-born chess master is the second youngest person to ever achieve this prestigious distinction. He is also the first Chess Grandmaster who was born in Central America.
There are also several other highly regarded chess players from the state of Texas. The United States Chess Federation currently has one thousand chess players from Texas listed in its official rankings. These players include National Masters such as Jeffery Xiong, Alexander Onischuk, Aleksander Mista, and Ruifeng Li, among others.
Further information about the top-ranked chess players in the state of Texas can be found at the official website of the United States Chess Federation.
Texas Chess Clubs
There are many great chess clubs and Facebook groups that are designed to help players in Texas connect in both the online world and in real-time. Some of the leading Texas chess clubs, meetups, and Facebook groups promoting chess in Texas include:
- The Dallas Chess Club – The Dallas Chess Club is one of the top organizations promoting chess in Texas. In the past, it has received visits from renowned Texas chess player and Chess Grandmaster Alejandro Ramírez.
- The North Texas Chess Academy – The North Texas Chess Academy is dedicated to offering players the opportunity to improve their skills in a supportive and educational environment.
- The Texas Chess Club – The Texas Chess Club is another hotspot for players who want to enjoy camaraderie with their fellow chess-playing Texans.
- The San Antonio Chess Club – This club is the perfect group to join for chess players in the San Antonio area of Texas.
- The Texas A&M Chess Club – This chess club is based out of Texas A&M University.
- The Houston Chess Meetup Group – This Houston-based chess group aims to help bring the city’s chess community together.
- The Irving Chess Meetup Group – This Irving-based chess Meetup group is open to players of all skill levels.
Texas Chess Tournaments
The good news for players in the state of Texas that want to challenge themselves and test their skills against other players is the fact that there are some great tournaments available. A few of the leading Texas chess tournaments include:
- The Texas State and Amateur Championships – This state chess championship is usually held from the 28th to the 31st of May.
- Texas State Scholastic Chess Championships – This scholastic chess tournament generally takes place on the 3rd of April.
- US Class Championships in Houston – This national chess event is usually held from the 23rd to the 25th of July.
Texas Chess Shops
The following Texas chess shops are among the best spots in the Lone Star State to pick up a new chess set.
- Common Ground Games – Customers at Common Ground Games consistently rank it as one of the best Dallas area stores to pick up a wide range of board games. This is a great place to find a nice chess set for yourself or to present it as a gift.
- Ettin Games – Ettin Games is a Houston area hotspot for the best in the world of board games and a great place to grab your next chess set.
- Game Vault: Game Store & Cafe – Game Vault: Game Store & Cafe has earned a reputation as the best place to head in El Paso if you are looking for board games such as chess.
- Knight Watch Games – Knight Watch Games has built a reputation as the go-to hotspot for all board game-related needs in the San Antonio area. This is the spot to head if you are looking for a great new chess set.
Conclusion
Texas is one of the best states to be in for Chess players, of course with the state being so big, there is bound to be more players by default. With that aside, there are more active players throughout the state than others. Consider going to one of the many meetups and checking out one of the clubs. Meeting other players in real life will drastically improve your chances of improving.
I hope this post on Texas Chess helped you. If you liked this post, you might also be interested in reading more about Chess in the United States or a specific state such as Chess in North Carolina or Chess in California.
Additional Resources
These additional resources are also helpful for those who are interested in chess in Texas.