Chess in Texas has a long history, with the first chess clubs being established in the late 19th century. One of the earliest known chess clubs in Texas was the Houston Chess Club, which was founded in 1884.
In the early 20th century, chess in Texas began to gain popularity, with several other chess clubs being established in cities such as Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin. The Dallas Chess Club, for example, was founded in 1901, and the San Antonio Chess Club was established in 1920.
In the 1920s and 1930s, Texas produced several notable chess players, including International Master Herman Steiner, who was born in Galveston in 1908 and later went on to become one of the strongest chess players in the United States.
Another notable chess player from Texas was Dr. George Koltanowski, who was born in Belgium but moved to Texas in the 1920s and went on to become a well-known chess player and promoter. He was famous for giving simultaneous exhibitions and blindfolded chess where he played multiple games at once without looking at the board.
In the post-war period, Texas continued to produce strong chess players, with notable champions such as International Master John Donaldson, who was born in Dallas in 1955, and Grandmaster Yasser Seirawan who was born in Damascus, Syria but later immigrated to the United States and lived in Texas.
Chess clubs and tournaments continue to thrive in Texas today, with many local and state-wide tournaments and events being held regularly. The Texas Chess Association is the governing body for chess in Texas and promotes the game throughout the state.
Texas Chess Association in League City, TX
- USCF ID T5011914
- Phone: 713-530-7820
- Email: [email protected]
- Site: http://www.texaschess.org/
Arlington Chess Club in Arlington, TX
- USCF ID A6044693
- Phone: 817-507-7522
- Email: [email protected]
- Site: http://www.arlingtonchess.com
UTRGV Chess in Brownsville, TX
- USCF ID G6046574
- Phone: (956) 882-5761
- Email: [email protected]
- Site: http://www.utrgv.edu/chess
Innovative Chess Solutions in China Spring, TX
- USCF ID A7215356
- Phone: 445-345-1261
- Email: [email protected]
- Site: https://innovativechesssolutions.com/
Coppell Chess Club in Coppell, TX
- USCF ID A6053942
- Phone: 4696825258
- Email: [email protected]
- Site: http://www.coppellchessclub.com
Dallas Chess Club in Dallas, TX
- USCF ID A5011493
- Phone: 214-632-9000
- Email: [email protected]
- Site: http://www.dallaschess.com
Dark Knights Chess Club in Edinburg, TX
- USCF ID A6023241
- Email: [email protected]
- Site: http://DKChess.com
The Chess Club at UTRGV in Edinburg, TX
- USCF ID A6045785
- Phone: 8329085462
- Email: [email protected]
- Site: http://www.utrgvchessclub.com
Knight Club in Farmer’s Branch, TX
- USCF ID A6036598
- Phone: 469-458-2430
- Email: [email protected]
- Site: http://www.knightclub64.com
64Squares Club in Frisco, TX
- USCF ID A6053298
- Phone: 19727574234
- Email: [email protected]
- Site: http://WWW.64SQUARESUSA.COM
The Chess Refinery in Houston, TX
- USCF ID A6039170
- Phone: 2816980068
- Email: [email protected]
- Site: http://thechessrefinery.org
The Poison Pawns Chess Club in Houston, TX
- USCF ID A7368697
- Phone: 281-844-4139
- Email: [email protected]
- Site: Https://PoisonPawns.club
Rebecca Chess Club in Katy, TX
- USCF ID A6054051
- Phone: 5405535818
- Email: [email protected]
- Site: https://www.rebeccachess.com/
Chesscottstreet Club in Mckinney, TX
- USCF ID A7336534
- Phone: 5619278630
- Email: [email protected]
- Site: http://www.chesscottstreet.com
Texas Chess Center in Plano, TX
- USCF ID A7772394
- Phone: 14694987296
- Email: [email protected]
Foundation Chess Club in Richmond, TX
- USCF ID A6043223
- Phone: 832-893-0138
- Email: [email protected]
- Site: https://www.foundationchess.org/
Third Coast Chess Club in Rockport, TX
- USCF ID A6053167
- Phone: 3614340836
- Email: [email protected]
- Site: http://thirdcoastchess.org
San Marcos Chess Club in San Marcos, TX
- USCF ID A7429663
- Phone: 512-393-8212
- Email: [email protected]
- Site: https://smtxchess.org
Fort Bend Chess Club in Sugar Land, TX
- USCF ID A6035155
- Phone: 281-682-0086
- Email: [email protected]
- Site: http://www.fortbendchessclub.com
Temple Chess Club in Temple, TX
- USCF ID A6034957
- Phone: 254-231-7026
- Email: [email protected]
- Site: http://templechess.org