Chess hot spot
By VICTORIA MANNING/THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD
August 7, 2007 – 10:25PM
Erick Vallarino just wanted to play chess. In six years, Vallarino has seen The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College chess team evolve from a small club to a nationally ranked and decorated team.
The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College chess team was awarded “Chess Team of the Year” by the United States Chess Federation on Aug. 4.
A Cinderella story was not something Vallarino expected. “I was just happy to play at the collegiate level,” he said.
The UTB-TSC chess team was very successful this year.
In December, the team earned an eighth place berth at the Pan-American Chess tournament in Washington, D.C. The team placed in between Harvard and Yale.
Program Director Rusty Harwood said the team’s dedication is the source of their triumph.
“It feels wonderful. I’m very excited for the whole team and the university and I think it is a great affirmation of what we are doing here with our chess program. It shows how dedicated they are to improving,” Harwood said.
The team was nominated by Jim Stallins, chairman of the College Chess Committee.
“He said he nominated us because we are building a program the right way. We have a program director we brought in a grandmaster coach, competed at collegiate tournaments and give back to the community a lot,” Harwood said.
Many team members train young chess students in the area. “Our success is trickling down. Our players are able to help the next generation,” Harwood said.
Here is the full story.
Brownsville is doing a great job.
Great Story Susan. Thanks for posting this. These are the kinds of news stories I like to read. Stories of success. Not what mainline TV gives us.
Nice story, my younger brother loves to play chess a lot. He learned playing when he was still 7 yrs old. I do hope he can improve his chess skills like the kids in your place.