A little more than 4 short years ago, chess almost did not exist in Lubbock, Texas. 5 SPICE Cup, 10+ international events, and a bunch of national collegiate chess titles later, chess is booming in West Texas.

Yesterday was the 9th edition of the Get Smart! Play Chess! tournament in Lubbock. It was held at the Science Spectrum and about 110 players, from 6 to 60+ showed up to compete.

Here is the link to 70 pictures from the event, in memory of Quinton Smith, a high school junior in town who lost his life during a USCF National Tournament in Dallas a few weeks ago.

His principal, Dr. Sam Ayers, and coach, Jon Whitfill, came to the tournament to say a few words about him. A scholarship fund in his name has been set up.

https://picasaweb.google.com/SPICEChess/GetSmartPlayChess1232011

Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
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